Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Pat Owens (center with plaque) poses with staff and board members from the Worland Senior Center after she was honored as the Wyoming Public Transit Association Dispatcher of the Year last week. Pictured are (front row, l-r): Barb Berryman and Owens; (back) Robert Thorne, Marlene Bower, Wendy Fredricks, Debbie Fields, Kay Fritzler and Dan Frederick.
WORLAND - Worland Public Transportation/Worland Senior Citizen Center's dispatcher Patricia Owens was honored as the Wyoming Public Transit Association Dispatcher of the Year.
She was "totally surprised" by the announcement made by WSC Director Wendy Fredricks during lunch on Wednesday, July 1.
According to the nomination letter written by Debbie Fields, Worland Public Transportation manager, "We are proud to nominate Patricia Owens for the Dispatcher of the Year.
"Over the years Pat has definitely gone above and beyond expectations for everyone. She is dedicated to making sure everyone is on their toes. She greets everyone as they come into the center with a cheery smile and hello. She is warm and friendly to all who call and she makes sure they are properly handled. If someone needs a bit of extra TLC she will gives us a heads up so we can be of better service to our clients and community. She is definitely our "Go To Gal" and we depend on her for most everything.
'During the COVID-19 pandemic she self-quarantined to be safe but still made calls to our seniors to check up on them as well as calls for birthdays.
"She makes sure everyone gets a card for the events in their lives whether it be birthday, anniversary, sympathy, just because. She puts a lot of thought and heart into the cards she picks out for each and every person.
"Pat is a huge asset to our center, clients and staff. We all miss her when she takes the rare day off and it takes several staff members and volunteers to do her job (we don't do it as well as she does).
"She is just an amazing woman."
Owens received a plaque, $100 check and a jacket. She donated the funds to the Worland Public Transportation fund.
Owens has been working at the center for the past seven years.
Over the past seven years, Owens said, the transportation department has gotten a lot busier with more people going out of town for medical appointments or for fun.
They also have started the "Van Go" service for food delivery options in Worland.
