Published: April 25, 2007 11:58 pm         

Enid Arby’s earns Humanitarian Award

Regular noontime patrons of Arby’s Roast Beef Restaurant on West Garriott certainly know Veronica Tramell.

She cleans tables, takes out the trash and keeps the lobby clean. She’s been doing it since 1995.

“Veronica knows many customers. They know her very well. They all love her,” said Arby’s manager Dusty Bagshaw.

And, the 4RKids Foundation of Enid, which raises money for children and adults with special needs in Garfield County and northwest Oklahoma, loves what Arby’s has done for Tramell — providing her with a job to help her feel accepted and part of a team.

“Routine is important. We have shown our kids are good employees. Work helps stabilize and adds to the quality of life. It provides a sense of accomplishment and a feeling of being a part of the team,” said 4RKids board member George Pankonin.

Pankonin and other 4RKids board members presented Arby’s recently with the group’s first Humanitarian Award, which is given to employers who offer jobs to people with special needs.

“We are encouraging other businesses to do the same,” Pankonin said.

Current Arby’s district manager Janet Canaday was store manager here 12 years ago and hired Tramell.

“The (Arby’s) program to hire people with special needs originated in Oklahoma City and has spread all over the state. Veronica has proven to be extremely reliable. It gets better all the time,” Canaday said.

Bagshaw said she does not view Tramell as someone requiring special attention. She relies on her, especially during the summer, to fill the ice vats in the soda dispensers.

“She (Tramell) has excellent initiative skills. When she takes her vacation time, we miss her,” Bagwell said.

Pankonin said 4RKids is negotiating for a business property that will become an employment center for people with special needs.

4RKids relies on donations and fundraisers, such as an annual walk in late summer at David Allen Memorial Ballpark. The group also provides camp scholarships and teacher grants for those with special projects helping special needs students.