Taga Arvila our honoree received the " Service above self " Award for out standing service to the residents of the West Hills Rehabilitation Center. Pictured above are Taga Avila; John Black, Facility Administrator; and Mata Sagar, the very first recipient. of the award. aga is the Activities Assistant, in charge of their arts & crafts projects, and made all the centerpieces with the residents. Originally from Hawaii, he is one of 15 children, and his mother told him he "should work to make people happy, not money."
Every 6 months we present a Service Above Self Award to the staff member of West Hills Health
and Rehabilitation Center voted by both staff and patients as the person who most exemplifies that ideal. This award's recipient was Taga Avila, who, as the Activities Assistant, is in charge of their arts and crafts projects. In fact, he made all the lovely floral centerpieces on our table with the residents. Originally from Hawaii, he is one of 15 children. Being so far from home, he has made the residents of West Hills his family. And kept in mind his mother's advice â?" she told him he "should work to make people happy, not money."
As the creator of this award, Shindi Seecutt did the presentation honors, with a little help from Beth. He told us that Taga was the first person to ever receive so many votes â?" 101! Both patients and staff just love him. John Black told us that he recruited Taga from another facility which took awhile, as he lives "over the hill" and this location is quite a commute. But everyone is delighted John was successful. Taga maintains a cheerful, can-do attitude, and keeps everyone happily busy. Taga was so touched by the award that when he started to speak, he was overcome with emotion. And we were touched by that!
