Catch the St. Anne’s
Spirit with ...
Jim Bajenski
St. Anne’s Salvatorian Campus is
grateful on many levels for employee Jim Bajenski. Jim
was honored recently for thirty years of service to
St. Anne’s and he has never missed a day of work
or been late throughout three decades. Jim’s parents,
Millie and Bob, of Oconomowoc, are proud of all of their
children, including Kathy and Michael. But there is
a tender place in their hearts for Jim who, despite
special needs, met every life challenge and kept on
trying and growing.
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Joyce Whitley, Jim’s supervisor, congratulated
him on his thirty years of service.
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Lynn Vogt, administrator of St. Anne’s, cannot say
enough about this veteran employee:
“Jim became a part of our St. Anne’s Family in
1976 and in a very short time penetrated the hearts of everyone
on campus. Jim, who is affectionately referred to as J.B.,
has always demonstrated a wonderful work ethic, accepting
direction without question, and always striving to do his
best! He has never taken a sick day and at all times gives
his whole self to any task requested of him. As a housekeeper,
he finds true pride in the wonderful job he does, interacting
with residents, staff, visitors and families with respect
and kindness,” she said.
Jim’s family shared the special recognition
night with him. They include, from left, Sister Kathy,
Mother Millie, Jim and his Dad Bob.
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Jim’s parents agree. “We
are so proud of him and always believed in him. We were
living in Chicago when our family was small and a Tribune
reporter wrote a series of articles in 1964 about the
Institute for Human Development in Philadelphia. We
took Jim there and they gave us a program that we could
do back in our home. He had not crept or crawled. So
volunteers from our church and neighborhood came in
to help with the daily program (pattern). Millie and
I could never thank all the people who have helped us.
Now Jim tells all of his friends, ‘Get a job!’
He loves St. Anne’s as his own home. When he was
hired, they took a chance and he has given his all for
thirty years. Every day is one of victory and accomplishment,”
Bob pointed out. |
When the family moved to Milwaukee, they lived
six blocks from St. Anne’s. Jim’s sister Kathy,
a high school student, was working as a dietary aide at the
Home and heard about the opening in housekeeping. Jim applied
and was hired on the spot. Here again, his parents were grateful
for a program Jim attended while a student at Wauwatosa West
High School that included job application and interviewing
skills. “The teachers were great,” Millie said.
Jim walks to and from work each day from his other home,
a duplex several blocks from St. Anne’s. There are many
pins on his pocket which are forms of recognition from St.
Anne’s. As he helps clean the halls, he moves throughout
the building. Everyone gets a smile and a greeting. When asked
what the best part of his job is, Jim says, “I like
the residents!”
Jim also enjoys Special Olympics, bowling, basketball, soccer
and bocce. The night he was honored by St. Anne’s, he
had to miss the bowling division play-offs. When considering
the dilemma, he told his parents that he needed to be with
his St. Anne’s friends. They all feel the same way about
you, Jim. Congratulations and thanks, J.B.
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