ESH STAFF PLAY FAMILY FEUD AT EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION EVENT
Editor’s note: the story below is a recap of a competitive Family Feud game that Eastern State Hospital hosted during their recent employee appreciation event.
The Westside Annihilators saved their best effort for last. And they have Val Beecher to thank for it.
The certified occupational therapy assistant carried her Westlake campus teammates to a stunning 738–472 comeback victory against the Eastlake campus Accidental Volunteers in the debut edition of the Eastern State Hospital Family Feud contest on Aug. 25 and 26.
Playing the role of Steve Harvey — and original host Richard Dawson — ESH CEO Eric Carpenter served as contest moderator both days.
A 23-year-employee of ESH, Beecher scored all her team’s points in the last round of questions from Eric.
“You know it’s all for fun, but I did get a little nervous there at the end,” Beecher said. “Yes, I absolutely felt some pressure.”
In addition to Beecher, Recreation Occupational Therapy staff included Jim Bury, Matt Holloway, Spencer Lowe, Elizabeth Rich and Rich Wilkinson. Though the Annihilators approached the stage with synchronized struts as they took their seats, their confident postures soon shriveled as the Accidental Volunteers raced to a 316–0 lead after the first-three rounds.
“It felt great to win the championship,” Beecher said. “Being the smaller campus, we felt like we represented the underdog.”
The day before, the Westside Annihilators beat the Westlake CoyOTes to earn a spot in the championship match. Meanwhile, the Accidental Volunteers beat the Eastlake Court Ordered Divas Friday morning to reach the championship.
Eastern State Hospital Family Feud was part of a two-day employee appreciation event that featured a company barbecue that saw hundreds of employees gather across a total of six events held on Thursday and Friday. Anecdotally, a tremendous amount of appreciation was expressed by staff to organizers of the events.
In 17 years in nursing services and the last six years as an occupational therapy assistant, Beecher says she does not recall seeing an employee appreciation so big.
Hamburgers and hot dogs were the main fare for employees as meals were prepared and served by leadership team members who volunteered from across the ESH family. Meanwhile, a representative from Costco solicited staff memberships while those with a creative flair among ESH staff gathered at the Memorial Rock station to paint.
“I recall a couple of chili feeds and some smaller gatherings but nothing as big as this,” Beecher said. “There were people up at the crack of dawn who worked really hard to make this happen. And I know we all appreciated their efforts.”
