Three Shoreline School District employees share the honor as 2010-11 Shoreline Schools Support Person of the Year.

Left to right, Greg DiMaio, John Martin and Rich Maden, 2010-11 Shoreline Schools Support Persons of the Year.

The District warehouse/courier team of Greg DiMaio, Rich Maden and John Martin will receive the award at a reception at 6:30 pm on Monday, March 7 in the Shoreline Center lobby. The community is invited. Shoreline Schools will celebrate Support Staff Appreciation Week from March 7 to 11.

“While each of these gentlemen would warrant a nomination individually, the fact that they work so integrally as a team performing critical support services to the District makes it logical to nominate them collectively,” their nomination read in part. It is the first time that three employees have shared the award.

Greg DiMaio has worked for the District since 1974. He carries the intra-District mail, media resources, computers and other items with a level of reliability that is truly remarkable. During the snowstorms of 2008-09, Greg used his own vehicle rather than the District truck because he felt it would better allow him to complete all of his scheduled runs.

“If it will fit in his truck, Greg is more than happy to deliver it. Many sites can set their clocks based on Greg’s daily arrival,” the nomination said.

Warehouse team member John Martin has worked for Shoreline since 1978 and Rich Maden since 1985. Most recently, as the warehouse was being converted to the District’s Central Kitchen in Hamlin Park, they not only assisted with that complex project, but also performed all of their regular services despite reduced space and disruption in their working environment.

John and Rich have moved or hauled just about everything in their careers in Shoreline. When the District’s elementary and middle schools underwent extensive remodeling in the 1980s and 1990s, they assisted with relocation to transition sites and the return when the projects were completed. They have hauled band instruments and athletic equipment to competitions, camping gear for sixth grade trips, and many stage sets and props for high school plays and concerts, not to mention hundreds of chairs for various assemblies.

“It is their ‘can do’ attitude that makes it so nice to work with them. That attitude, day after day, year after year, has made them an invaluable resource to Shoreline Schools,” their nomination said.

The Support Person of the Year is selected annually from nominations made by staff, students, parents and members of the community. Recipients receive a grant from the Shoreline Public Schools Foundation.