With a typewriter still in working condition on her desk, Sandee Sanden, Occupational Development Center, Inc.’s Administrative Assistant, is reminded of her first years working as a Clerk Typist in 1985.
“I wrote checks on a typewriter and filled consumer reports out by hand on spreadsheets,” Sanden said. “I love reminding people about this every time they complain about something. We have it a little easier now.”
For thirty years, Sanden has watch ODC grow into the nonprofit it is today.
“We used to work out of the old Gamble Robinson building downtown Thief River Falls (TRF),” reminisced Sanden. “Consumers used to pass wood through a window, where it would then be carted to the basement and used for making Arctic Cat crates.”
“I loved working in the front office,” Sanden said. “I miss working with the consumers. It is something everyone needs to experience in order to truly understand what impact we have here.”
“My daughter was here as part of a high school class and worked with the consumers. One of them was Ozzie and so when my daughter became a mother she brought her little girl out here to visit the consumers,” recalled Sanden. “Ozzie adored my granddaughter and would ask about her all the time. If I told him I had just seen her he would come, dig through my purse, find new photos of her and keep them! They still have the picture he gave them on their fridge.”
Sanden is amazed that some of the consumers still working in TRF remember her to this day, even though she has not worked at the front desk for many years.
While Sanden misses working with consumers, she has enjoyed her time working with the Board of Directors and the Leadership Team as the administrative assistant.
“I think one of my favorite things is to envision what someone in the company looks like while speaking to them over the phone… then meeting them and realizing just how wrong I was, “ Sanden said erupting with laughter.
Sanden truly has a heart for the individuals ODC, Inc. works with and hopes to see the nonprofit continue to provide quality opportunities for consumers in the years to come.
“It has been a wonderful experience to work for a company that provides assistance to those who need it the most,” Sanden said. “ Everyone has a disability of one kind or another but the individuals ODC works with just have more pronounced ones which prevent them from sometimes obtaining gainful employment. Overall you will not find a more loyal, sincere group of people than our consumers.”
Everyone who has spoken in regards to Sandee has referred to her with respect and gratitude.
Thief River Falls (TRF) Division Coordinator, Charity Brault is grateful for the help and encouragement Sandee has offered her saying,
“Sandee- I want to express my deep appreciation for the help and support you have offered me over the past 6 years. I am very grateful to you for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer my many, many, many questions. Projects become easier to execute, changes become easier to implement and problems become easier to solve. Thank you.”
Sandee, from all of us here at ODC, Inc., thank you for your years of hard work and dedication to the company.
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