Rhonda Mahan, rehabilitation manager at Life Skills Training Center, presented Crystal Brannan with the Client Achievement Award for 2007 Monday during the center's annual meeting. [Click to enlarge]

Crystal Brannan took home the Client Achievement Award Monday during the Life Skills Training Center's annual meeting.

Rhonda Mahan, rehabilitation manager at the center, said Brannan was chosen by staff for her "growth in many areas including independence, flexibility, motivation and self initiation."

Brannan, a client at Life Skills since 2001, accepted her plaque with a smile.

"Crystal always has a smile," Mahan said. "She gets along with everybody."

Life Skills Training Center is devoted to training disabled individuals to become more independent and involved in their community. The center provides laundry and janitorial services to customers throughout the area.

In addition to the client achievement award, Ken Wilson was also honored Monday with the Arie Bomgaars Award for his service and dedication to Life Skills.

Wilson, an outgoing board member after 18 years, said the award was "totally unexpected."

"When you live in this town, you should be willing to give back," Wilson said. "It really does mean a lot."

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Don Nore, executive director at Life Skills, said the Arie Bomgaars Award was instituted in 1991 and is not given every year, but "it's the most prestigious award we can give."

Arie Bomgaars was on the board of directors from 1977 to 1984 and during that time he offered guidance, direction and friendship to Life Skills Training Center.

As he accepted the award, Wilson told the crowd of about 130 clients, family members, volunteers and staff, that his involvement is about the clients "can do" attitude.

"You don't do it for yourself," he said."You do it for you guys."

In addition to recognizing Brannan and Wilson, a third award was also given Monday to First National Bank for its 10 years as a customer of Life Skills janitorial services.

As Darlene Oetken, assistant director at Life Skills, presented the Customer Recognition Award she said the bank's business has provided 10,000 training hours for clients.

Jack Guenthner, of First National Bank, accepted the honor and thanked workers for their dedication and commended their service.

"They have a really good attitude," Guenthner said. "You are all my friends."

Monday's meeting also included a catered meal and program before the awards were given.

"It's one night of the year we can get everybody together," Nore said. "It's a night to see everybody in a social setting."