AHOSKIE – Hertford County Home Health Employees gave heartfelt thanks to the administration board here last week, for unexpected bonuses they received as a token of appreciation for their hard work and efforts this past year.

The bonuses were an incentive reward for &uot;hard work maximizing revenues, containing expenses, and allowing the agency to generate excess revenues over expenses,&uot; said Director of the District Health Department for Home Health, Curtis Dickson.

Some of the happy recipients, who were present at last Monday’s Hertford-Gates District Board of Health meeting in Ahoskie, were given an opportunity, at the start of the meeting, to express their thoughts and feelings about the reward.

Health Educator, Bridget Bishop recalled that when she received her bonus check, she couldn’t hold back the tears. &uot;I was crying and shaking. This was an incredible blessing because I’m a single parent!&uot;

&uot;All I could do was cry,&uot; stated Judy Rush, a Home Health Clerk. &uot;It was completely overwhelming.&uot;

Payroll Clerk, Wanda Vaughan, who had the privilege of writing out the checks, addressed attendees of the meeting saying, &uot;It was my pleasure to write out those checks. I was just bubbling over the day we passed them out. Nobody else knew it, but I knew and I just couldn’t wait to see the reactions people would have. The Winton staff was screaming and hollering with joy! It’s a miracle for so many who hadn’t had anything in a long time because different things come up with taxes and the holidays.&uot;

Vaughan was also honored as employee of the month at the meeting.

Juanita Byrum, an LPN for Gates County, recalled that she couldn’t believe it and called her husband to share the news, while Betty Glass, an RN in Winton the office, said she had to hold herself together.

&uot;My husband is not getting a bonus this year so it was a real encouragement to me. On behalf of the people who work in the medical field, thank you. You’ll never know the magnitude by which you have helped. I thank you for letting God use you to answer our prayers,&uot; said Glass.

A representative from the Human Resources Department stated that, &uot;This bonus just signifies that the efforts of the workers are appreciated and acknowledged. It reinforced that their efforts are making an impact. Never before in their wildest dreams did they ever imagine that their efforts would yield the level of appreciation that was bestowed on them.&uot;

June Harrell, secretary to Dickson commented, &uot; I have worked here 26 years and have never seen anything like that in my life!&uot;

Spokesman for the Board, James Eure mixed humor with sincere appreciation to employees stating, &uot;Thank you for each and every day of hard work and dedication. We appreciate it, although, I am a little disappointed that I won’t be seeing many of you as potential loan applicants at the credit union&uot; where Eure is employed.

Dickson stated that it was a pleasure to honor the employees for all they have contributed and commended them for a job well done.