As the holidays approach, the DowntownDC Business Improvement District (BID) Safety/Hospitality and Maintenance (SAM) employees headed to the Church of the Epiphany (1317 G Street NW) in November to learn about this historic landmark in Downtown and begin preparations for the holidays at their employee of the month meeting.
The church’s parish traces its roots to 1842, when its first service was held. The first cornerstone was laid the following year. Over the years, the church has hosted President Abraham Lincoln and President Theodore Roosevelt, was utilized as a hospital for union troops and played many other roles throughout history.
Today, the church is an active and important member of the downtown community, conducting outreach in many ways to support individuals who are homeless or in need, hosting a Tuesday concert series, a prayer service on Wednesdays with happy hour and many seasonal events that attract many of downtown’s workforce.
At the November SAM employee meeting, Parish Administrator Catherine Manhardt personally thanked the SAMs for their work and commitment to “keep the neighborhood safe for our worshipers and businesses” and invited all in attendance to take part in their services and events.
Michael Creed, SAM safety/hospitality supervisor, briefed the SAMs on the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and other events taking place Downtown.
Ebony Walton, the BID’s program and experience planner, highlighted upcoming programs downtown including CityCenterDC’s Holiday tree lighting on Nov 28 which will include performances and delicious treats for the public beginning at 6 p.m, the BID’s 2015 Momentum Awards at the Carnegie Library on Dec 3 and the highly anticipated opening of the annual Downtown Holiday Market.
The Downtown Holiday Market is returning for its 11th year to F Street between 7th and 9th beginning Nov. 27 and will be open daily from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Shoppers will find over 150 artisans, crafters and small businesses on display at this outdoor marketplace offering everything from unique art pieces to homemade crafts, stylish clothes to gorgeous jewelry to fulfill all your holiday buying needs, plus, enjoy live performances and treats for sale daily.
Everett D. E. Scruggs, the BID’s director of operations, expressed his gratitude to the SAMs for their commitment and work in downtown and read aloud letters sent to the BID from Downtown patrons who were assisted in some manner by on-duty SAMs. Tabitha Scott recently wrote to praise SAM Robert Toney, who helped her locate her car in Downtown after she’d forgotten where she had parked. Visitor Audrey reached out to thank SAM Terrance Kelly for his assistance, and Annette was grateful for the information provided by SAM Jeremiah DeSousa about the DC Circulator routes, calling him a “true asset to the BID.”
Each month, two SAMs are chosen as SAMs-of-the-Month. The winners for this October were Safety/Hospitality SAM Montee Saunders and Maintenance SAM Hector Segura.
Montee Saunders has been with the BID for eight years and has earned the honor of employee of the month once before. Saunders enthusiastically identified “all the different people I meet” as the best part of her work with the BID. Saunders said her coworkers would describe her as fun, friendly, outspoken and a great parent. Born and raised in D.C., Saunders gives thanks to her children, Madison, Mason and college-bound Ki-Ree, for her inspiration.
Hector Segura has been with the BID for 13 years and has been named employee of the month four times. Segura said he takes great pride in keeping Downtown clean and welcoming. Segura said of all the establishments downtown, he likes Cuba Libre (801 9th Street NW) for the food, drinks and dancing. He thanked his superiors for the honor of employee of the month and credited his daughter Wanda for his daily motivation.