A while back a co-worker, not for the first time, suggested I write about the diversity of our recycling center crew. This would have been an apt approach to this column just about any of the previous 300 editions people have read on the page and/or screen. So, why not? Here goes:
KAB currently employs more than two dozen part-time workers (including myself) in the collection and processing of recyclables. There are two gentlemen in their 80s and two youths who work this job around school assignments. One-third of our crew is women. We have white people. Others come from Native American, Black, Hispanic and other heritage. There are people who live and work with disabilities. Some have spent time in prison/jail/treatment. Being a BNSF town there are retired railroaders. Democrats and Republicans. Christians, agnostics, atheists and “spiritual” individuals. Few rely on their KAB job as a sole source of income with schedules tailored to complement other employers, or retirement/other support arriving every month.
“So what” you might say, “examine the same number of people at any workplace and the characteristics of who they are can be parsed endlessly.” True enough. Diversity is a byproduct – not a goal – when I consider someone new. I have realized during the past 16 years that my gift is service. Therefore I admire people who also value that trait. I have realized how diverse our crew is by continuing to learn more about the people that keep returning to give their best in completing hard, often tedious tasks. As an introvert this takes effort some days.
Evaluating how the work gets done, I have found everyone has a role. We are not all young and strong. Not everyone can (or desires to) operate a forklift. Often a few people on staff do not drive. Each person does not need to stuff a tote of cardboard in a baler within three minutes. There will be more tomorrow, guaranteed.
A year ago, recruiting volunteers was high on the list with Claudia at the shredder one of our few consistent sources of free help. Good intentions included visiting and speaking to various groups and sending out letters. This summer, I guess you could say organically, they came. They came just the same. Dixie started a ladies night every other week. This group of women has knocked out tasks we have not gotten to during the day. RSVP’s Angie Flesner has sent the Volunteer Youth Alliance our way to help.
The latest godsend has been carloads of helpers from Integrated Life Choice (ILC) a place that works to inspire opportunities for individuals with disabilities. They just showed up late one morning saying they had talked to a person who said they could volunteer here. Sounded good to me. Our executive director, Kathy Worley, stopped by a few minutes later and explained that she had forgotten to give me a heads up though it often happens that these promises to help go unfulfilled. So for the past few weeks they have arrived like clockwork every Tuesday and Wednesday for about two hours. It is usually a different combination of visitors each time. They have been awesome and I will welcome them as long as our center is worth their time.
ILC volunteers have helped our sorting supervisor, Jeremy, winnow down curbside bags as he continues to process, transform and otherwise organize the north end of the building while Josh, our baling supervisor, is streamlining operations on the south end.
Everyone at the recycling center is the face of KAB. Kindred, often with her son Jakii each morning, along with Jamey (who bales plastic like nobody’s business) other days, have been invaluable in keeping up with our cardboard route. I love what everyone brings to the table. Stop by the center and you may see Larry, Bonnie and Oscar sorting. Keith is our utility infielder from the forklift to the balers, trailers and even filling a pickup with cardboard when needed. Virgil has been here longer than anyone and he can tell you how anything works. Dixie keeps boxes, totes and bales moving with the forklift. Tony often moves trailers, a job I have had others turn down. Antoine helps out wherever I ask. Anika feeds the baler after school. Mary is a dynamo, usually on weekends, when not spending time at her primary job or with family.
Now you know a little more about our crew. There is turnover, so the names may change in a month, a year. Stop in and say hi. I, for one, would like to learn about diversity among our patrons. Doors are open 8 a.m.-3 p.m., closing at 1 o’clock when the mercury rises above 90 degrees.