The Biggs Award

The Biggs Award is named in honour of Mr. Shawn Biggs who was diagnosed with cancer – a brain tumour – in 1994.  Memory and health problems due to the cancer made it difficult for Shawn to find a job.  In March, 2003, realizing he needed supported employment, he applied to our outreach program (Partners in Employment Outreach).  Flowercart hired Shawn to work on contract in the Michelin Tire Plant in Waterville. 

At Michelin, Shawn seemed to be a natural leader and his co-workers looked up to him.  He was an excellent role model for everyone around him.  However, in December, 2003, Shawn’s cancer moved out of remission and he needed to stop working.

Happily Shawn’s health has improved and in the summer of 2004, he got married! He is still facing cancer but continues to beat the odds.  Shawn is a man with a great deal of dignity and it was our great pleasure to present Shawn with the first annual Biggs Award on June 15, 2004.

The Biggs Award is an annual award that identifies a person who demonstrates the work skills taught and supported by Flowercart Community Employment Services.  It highlights workers who have cognitive disabilities and who have become excellent role models for others.  The Biggs Award makes clear to our community the kind of worker that Flowercart values.  It gives us a way to recognize our employer partners as well as giving our employer partners a way to recognize great employees.

Biggs Award Criteria

The award winner…

• is, or has been, a client of Community  Employment Services (including Partners in Employment Outreach and Transition-to-Work)
• has worked four or more months for the employer and worked for the employer during the nomination year (April 1st – March 31st)
• has demonstrated skills, work habits, and attitudes which have had a  positive effect on others
• has earned a good reputation with supervisors and co-workers as an eager learner and hard worker who has met or exceeded her/his employer’s expectations
• has been nominated by his/her employer