Although Eric J. Bartlett continues to battle depression, help received from the Mental Health Association in Jefferson County Inc. has brought him a renewed sense of hope.
Within the past year, Mr. Bartlett has excelled in his job, made friends, and remained positive.
Because of his accomplishments, he will receive one of the two "Recovery is Real" awards being given out tonight during the 1st annual Mental Health Association Awards Banquet at the Elks Lodge, Bradley Street, Watertown.
"I think that it's great," he said. "Working here gives me something to do instead of staying home and staying depressed."
Mr. Bartlett has worked Monday through Friday for the past year at the association's office, 724 State St., answering phones and running the kitchen. He said he is looking forward to a night of relaxing.
Tonight's awards banquet, from 6 to 9, will kick off with a silent auction and cocktail hour, followed by dinner, a presentation of awards and guest speaker Joy J. Ilem, assistant national legislative director for Disabled American Veterans.
MHA Director Daun M. Burk said the awards ceremony not only will recognize Mr. Bartlett and other MHA members, but also employers who have developed a working relationship with the association.
Paul H. Simmons, chief executive officer of the Watertown Wizards baseball team and owner of AAMCO Transmission, is one of the many guests of honor. He will receive one of the two "Community Member of the Year" awards for helping to raise funds for the agency.
Mrs. Burk said Mr. Simmons plans to donate half of the ticket sale proceeds from one Watertown Wizards game to the agency and has offered other fundraising options.
Deborah G. Neher, general manager of Hampton Inn, Watertown, will receive the "Employer of the Year" award for accepting and showing Charlie Gannon, an MHA member dealing with depression, a happy work environment.
"It's been a wonderful working relationship, and Charlie's an excellent employee, working in our laundry room," she said. "I'm very humbled. The award's a nice thing to get, but not needed."
Mr. Gannon, who also will receive an award tonight, works from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. five days a week, washing, drying and folding laundry for the hotel's 90 rooms. Mrs. Neher said Mr. Gannon has become part of the Hampton Inn family and has come out of his shell since he started working there in September.
Other award recipients include: Jane Aikens of the Greater Watertown/North Country Chamber of Commerce, "Community Member of the Year;" Christina Ordway, program associate at MHA, "Recovery is Real;" and Paula Hulbert, MHA member, "Most Dedicated to Community Outreach and Stigma Reduction." Some board members also will be recognized.
Mrs. Burk said instead of just having an annual meeting where a board sits around a table, having a dinner, silent auction and awards banquet was a more interesting way of thanking MHA members and the community for supporting the agency.
"I can't tell you how hard people have worked," she said.
