Alvin Scott, 95, maintenance manager at Strawberry Homes in Strawberry Point, has been honored as the maintenance person of the year as part of USDA Rural Development’s statewide 2016 Site Manager of the Year program.
This award program recognizes outstanding efforts of apartment managers and maintenance staff serving rural Iowans in one of the 431 apartment complexes currently financed through USDA Rural Development.
These complexes provide rural Iowans with access to 8,796 apartment units. Strawberry Homes offers 16 apartment units for elderly residents in the community.
“We are proud to recognize Alvin Scott’s outstanding dedication to serving others at such an extraordinary age,” said Bill Menner, USDA Rural Development State Director in Iowa. “Site managers and maintenance staff work hard every day to ensure thousands of Iowans have access to safe and affordable apartment housing opportunities in our rural communities. They make sure the day-to-day operations go smoothly, and often invest a great deal of their own free time providing tenants with a safe and cohesive community.”
Scott, a life-long resident of Strawberry Point, has worked at Strawberry Homes since 2000. His nomination letters included such statements as:
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“I am constantly amazed at Alvin’s dedication to the residents, as well as his durability as a caretaker. At an age when most people would need assistance, Alvin, to the contrary, provides it.”
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“Whatever the weather, whatever the time of day, Alvin is ‘on call’ and ready to serve.”
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“Alvin demonstrates a sense of genuine care and concern for the well-being of all the residents of Strawberry Homes. He checks in on the tenants and best of all, he lets them know he is always there to help.”
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“Alvin takes great pride and enjoyment in maintaining the shrubs, trees and flowers that give Strawberry Homes a home-like feel. To have someone who really cares about the tenants and the work he does is truly a great gift.”
Scott served three years in World War II and was discharged in 1945. He has held various jobs around Strawberry Point during the past 71 years and is a member of the Strawberry Point American Legion Post #218, Strawberry Point Lions Club and United Methodist Church in the community.
USDA Rural Development’s funding continues to have a dramatic impact on rural communities across Iowa. Since 2009, USDA Rural Development has invested more than $4 billion on essential public facilities, small and emerging businesses, water and sewer systems, and housing opportunities for Iowa families.
This past year USDA Rural Development’s investment in Iowa helped create or retain more than 1,000 jobs, aided 2,400 families in buying their own homes and assisted more than 60 communities as they made improvements to their facilities, services and infrastructure.
“We are proud to serve the needs of rural people and places to ensure that rural America continues to thrive and to drive the economy,” Menner added. “We are very happy to be a partner with all the communities we serve as they work hard to make investments that will impact many future generations.”
Contact USDA Rural Development
For more information about finance programs available through USDA Rural Development, please call the Waverly office at (319) 352-1715 Ext. 4 or visit the agency’s web site at www.rd.usda.gov/ia. This office serves communities, businesses and residents in Allamakee, Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Chickasaw, Clayton, Delaware, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek Counties.
USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.7 million Iowans living in rural communities and areas. Office locations include a State Office in Des Moines, along with Area Offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly.
President Obama’s plan for rural America has produced historic investment in rural communities. Under the President’s leadership, these investments in housing, community facilities, businesses and infrastructure have strengthened America’s small towns and cities and helped improve the nation’s economy.