Sheldon, Iowa — Two staff members at Village Northwest Unlimited in Sheldon were honored recently when presented with Employee of the Year Awards, along with a monetary gift.
Deb Middle and Deb Doornenbal were each presented with the honor by Village Northwest Unlimited President & CEO Barry Whitsell, and Brian Robyn, Director of Human Resources.
According to Village Northwest, staff members are nominated by their peers, and nominations are reviewed by a committee of former award recipients.
Doornenbal began her career at the Village as a high school student working in an on campus home. From there she worked as a PE Instructor, known today as an Exercise & Wellness Instructor. Deb worked in this role until the birth of her first child. After a few years away from the Village, Deb returned as the Volunteer Coordinator. In 2001, Deb took on the role of Community Skills Manager at the 705 8th Street Waiver home and she continues in this role today. This year Deb celebrated her 35th year of service to the Village.
Deb Middle started her career at the Village in 2007 as a Barista at Fantasia where she worked for nearly a year before becoming an Exercise and Wellness Instructor at the Center in 2008. Deb continues in this role today. Deb serves as one of the Special Olympics coaches for the Village Panthers. Her Panthers teams have represented VNU at state and national competitions in basketball, softball, volleyball, bowling and track and field.
Village Northwest Unlimited is nationally recognized as one of the premier providers of services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries and autism. Village Northwest Unlimited builds successful lives for 180 individuals by providing opportunities and choices in residential, vocational and social programs while fulfilling its mission of providing Purpose, Privacy and Dignity for All People.
