Congratulations to the 2025 Winner of the Donna Steed Community Inclusion Award, Angela Gardner.
To remember and honor Donna Steed’s love of being part of her community and her personal journey toward self-determination, this award was established in 2003 to recognize an employee each year who exemplifies community involvement and spirit.
Angela received numerous nominations from her co-workers that described her ongoing hard work and dedication:
“She goes above and beyond to bring the guys to fun activities, take them shopping and get them out into the community every single shift. She advocates highly for an individual to work and said she would help in any way to could to make sure he succeeded and helped with the application process. I can’t think of anyone more deserving.”
“Since she started out in the company at Foster Lane. She has worked at Hedge for the last 6 years and she has done so much for them to increase their quality of life and Independence. For example, she always goes Supply and grocery shopping and bring T with her. With her and T going regularly and weekly he has become a regular and has even made friends with one of the workers there. She has even helped assist T with making plans with his new friend and T has invited him to his home as well as Reach events.”
“Angela is deserving of this award because she makes sure to get her guys out into the community as much as possible. She takes one of the hardest clients out to grocery shop every single week for years. She has taken them to the Patriots, Red Sox, Marshfield Fair, La Salette, and Marshfield Lights. She comes in on her time off to take the guys at Hedge Road to all parades throughout the year and makes sure they get out every single week to get what they need. Bringing her client to the store led to a great friendship between him and a staff member, and they have had multiple get-togethers, including this friend attending events to hang out with the individuals. Angela loves the guys she cares for, and it shows through her dedication to taking them into the community and allowing them to gain confidence in themselves and gain friendships.”
Reach would like to express its deep gratitude for all Angela does for the individuals she supports.
