Students Host Appreciation Lunch for Facilities and Maintenance Staff

The actions of cleaning personnel at many colleges and universities who have been working around the clock to keep up with the COVID-19 cleaning protocols has not escaped the attention of students. To show their appreciation, students at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida held an appreciation lunch for maintenance and housekeeping staff last week, The Current reports.

Ja’Nya Johnson organized the event with assistance from her peers on food, ice cream, prizes, and music. Students raised more than US$900 from their classmates and used the money to hire a food truck. A local ice cream parlor, Urban Creamery, donated five flavors of ice cream.

“A great part of this was everyone was able to learn who is in their dorm and it made people more aware of the fact that these people are here and they are doing so much to help us, especially during COVID,” Johnson said

Clarence Cergilo, a facility worker who cares for the Sigma Complex dorms and does security, told The Current he was appreciative of the event. “It means a lot to us and shows the students really appreciate us and all that we’ve done here,” Cergilo said.

Kenneth Devito, a facilities staff member who works in the Alpha Complex dorms, said the event made him feel very wanted. “All these people are very nice, cordial, professional, and respectful. From the first hour, all the students have been very appreciative,” he said.