Sanitarium Ambassadors Award recipients deliver helping hand to community

Sanitarium Health and Wellbeing today announced the recipients of the 2010 Sanitarium Ambassador Awards which go to a representative from each of the company’s three branches nationally.

This year three Branch Ambassador Awards and 16 ‘Living Our Philosophy’ recipients were announced at a ceremony held at the company’s factory in Royal Oak, Auckland. Gold medalist discus champion Beatrice Faumuina was on-site to present the awards.

Held annually, the awards recognise and celebrate employees who demonstrate Sanitarium’s principles in their work, their workplace and the community.

Each recipient was nominated by their co-workers for embodying an aspect of the spirit of Sanitarium’s philosophy, which focuses on genuine care for health, hope and happiness of every person.

All nominees were then considered for the Branch Ambassador Awards, and a recipient from each branch was selected. Each Branch Ambassador receives a cash prize and $1,250 to donate to a charity of their choice. One Ambassador will be chosen next month as the recipient of the overall company award, the Sam Bearpark Award, which celebrates the life of a notable Sanitarium salesperson, who worked at Sanitarium in the 1930s – 1950s and was known for his dedication to Sanitarium and his clients.

Recipients of the Branch Ambassador Awards were: David Strickland, an electrician from Auckland; Kerina Timoteo, a flake biscuit leading hand from Christchurch; and Vio Euta, an accounts clerk from Auckland.

Recipients of the 2010 ‘Living Our Philosophy’ awards from each region include:

- The way we do business: Kieran Hurley, Olivier Lawer and Tasi Swann
- Valuing each other: David Abel, Brian Smith, Desmond Cameron and Heather Backburne
- Truly nourishing food: Ole Pedersen and Shanley Tuhega
- Caring for our world: Rebecca Cox, Chris Flory and Fiailoa Tipoai
- Caring for our communities: Patricia da Silva and Tomasi Buwawa
- Enjoying health and wellbeing: Gracie Xiao and Val Roache.

“I am always delighted to see how committed and hardworking, supportive of each other, generous and community minded our staff are” said GM Pierre Van Heerden. “This year’s Ambassadors exemplify everything we hold dear at Sanitarium and are truly admired by the whole team”.

Next year the three Ambassadors will join Australian counterparts in working on a community project in Australia. In October 2010 last year’s winners will be assisting with the upgrade of Manurewa’s Randwick Park Community House to include a community garden, pre-school area and cooking facilities – with Sanitarium providing free lessons in healthy and nutritious cooking.