Ashley Pilarchik was recently awarded the township’s latest ‘Going the Extra Mile’ award for going above and beyond in her work for the township.
Evesham Township has its newest “Going the Extra Mile” award winner with Evesham Municipal Complex custodian Ashley Pilarchik.
Since last year, the GEM Award has served as a way to bring attention to the township’s lesser-known employees who exemplify excellence in their service to Evesham residents.
According to Evesham Township manager Tom Czerniecki, Pilarchik was chosen based on the work ethic she exhibited when she was a part-time employee at the Gibson House Community Center from 2014 through last September.
While at the Gibson House, Czerniecki said there was no task where Pilarchik argued, “that’s not my job description.”
In addition to her normal duties, Pilarchik offered to train new part-time employees and volunteers and provide additional help to those who rented the Gibson House for special events.
“It was the taking ownership of the job that really impressed the committee,” Czerniecki said.
Once someone nominates an employee for the GEM award, the township has a committee of representatives from management and staff to recommend recipients to Czerniecki.
Once selected, Pilarchik was honored with a brief ceremony at the latest meeting of the Evesham Township Council.
Pilarchik said she attributes her work ethic to her “workhorse” grandfather, who also worked for the township in custodial jobs for a number of years.
“I just work,” Pilarchik said. “Whatever the work is, I’m going to work hard. I just take pride in it.”
Czerniecki said Pilarchik’s award is also notable in she was the first part-time employee of the township to have been nominated through the program.
Monica Vandenberg, deputy township manager and director of recreation and senior services, nominated Pilarchik for the GEM Award.
Vandenberg said Pilarchik always took great pride in her work, often treating the Gibson House as if it were the township-owned country club while rearranging tables and chairs so the presentation was more appealing to guests.
“She consistently goes above and beyond her job description to offer assistance to others,” Vandenberg said.
From previously working in retail and arranging stores during overnight hours, Pilarchik said part of the job is always making the customer happy.
“And part of making the customer happy is making sure they have a nice building to admire that’s presentable,” Pilarchik said.
Pilarchik, a native of Marlton now living in neighboring Medford with her husband and two children, said she was proud to work in the township where she was raised.
“Its pretty cool to be able to say that I in some way help the township I grew up in,” Pilarchik said.
For those who have experience with a township employee “Going the Extra Mile,” the township always accepts nominations for the GEM Award program at the “How do I…” section of www.evesham-nj.org.
