Barrita Durward remembers the agony she felt when she momentarily lost her lucky bracelet.
So when she found an expensive diamond bracelet at her Cotton’s Chocolates shop, Durward tracked down the owner, figuring the person was tormented by losing a special piece of jewelry.
For her effort, Durward was named the final recipient of the North Okanagan Employment Enhancement Society’s Grand GO Award for customer service recognition.
“Her honesty and thoughtfulness is something I will not soon forget,” said the owner of the necklace, who nominated Durward for what would be her third Grand GO Award. “This bracelet was one of the few treasures I received from my mother after she passed away last April. She was given this bracelet as a gift from my father on their 25th wedding anniversary.”
What truly impressed the nominator was the fact Durward locked up her shop and brought the bracelet back to the owner’s place of business.
“She walked over to me and handed me my mother’s bracelet. Immediately, I started to tear up,” wrote the owner. “How do you thank someone for being so incredibly honest?”
Durward told the owner she had been admiring the necklace while she and her husband were eating dinner, and that she recognized the owner as their server.
For her efforts, Durward was presented with a balloon bouquet, GO Award lapel pin and travel mug and a gift certificate from the Best Western Vernon Lodge.
“My husband, nine years ago, gave me a bracelet which became my lucky bracelet and I never take it off,” said Durward. “During the Winter Carnival parade, it fell off by a float during the parade. A little girl found it, came up to me and asked if it was mine. I didn’t even know I had lost it. It was wonderful and I started crying because the bracelet is so sentimental.”
Since it began in May 2000, the GO Award program has received more than 6,000 ballots and seen more than 3,000 nominees awarded GO Award lapel pins.
NOEES has managed the program since June 2006, increasing community awareness of the customer service program.
“It has been an amazing journey to recognize and award the individuals who go above and beyond, and who understand the value of great customer service with which NOEES believes in so wholeheartedly,” said Krista Kay, GO Award program co-ordinator.
The program is being suspended until further notice due to a lack of funding, but hopes to return one day.
“I appreciate everything you guys do,” said Durward to Kay after being presented the final Grand GO Award. “It’s important to do what you guys do.”
