October 13, 2022
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Dear Associate,

Happy Thursday!

In this issue, take a sneak peek at Associate Appreciation, find some tips for preventing back injury and learn about fitness videos available to Granger associates. You can also find out about a Fowlerville retirement and see how Granger is supporting the community.

Thanks for reading, and make today a great Granger day!

Andrea Davis
Communications Manager
Tip: To follow the links to associate profiles and other information on Granger Central, you will need to log in with username (granger) and password (curby).
Sneak Peek at Associate Appreciation
As this Gazette is being created, we're part way through our fall Appreciation Week. We'll have a complete recap, including the results of the associate raffle and lots of pictures in the next issue of the Gazette. For now, enjoy a few pictures from our first few celebrations.
Preventing Back Injury
Back injuries and other muscle strains are a serious risk for waste and recycling workers (both at work and at home). Repeatedly lifting the wrong way can cause long-term injury. These tips can help protect your back and keep you working safely.
  • Lift slowly and carefully. Don’t jerk the load around.
  • Keep the load as close to your body as possible while lifting it.
  • Don’t twist or turn your spine while carrying the load.
  • Make sure your path is clear while carrying an object and that you can see where you are going while walking.
  • For heavy or bulky items, get help with carrying.
Tips courtesy of SWANA
Granger in the Community
Earlier this month, Granger sponsored and participated in the Red Flannel Festival in Cedar Springs. The festival celebrated 83 years this year. The event is widely attended, with a town of 10,000 turning into a celebration of 40,000. Thanks to Jesse Guild for driving our truck in the Red Flannel Parade.
Community Relations and Brand Specialist Taylor Bass paid a visit to Priceless Gift Toy Store in Jackson to learn about their mission. For the past several years, Granger has donated a roll-off to the store to assist them with their work for several months leading up to Christmas.

Priceless Gift Toy Store is a ministry to help parents or guardians in need shop for Christmas presents for their children for free. The store is full of gently used, hand-made and new toys. All are been cleaned, tested and prepared for their new owners.

Last season, nearly 4,500 children in need received toys from the store. Granger is proud to support this important organization.
Again this year, we participated in Delta Township's Trick or Treat Trail. Community Relations and Brand Specialist Taylor Bass, Accounting and Payroll Coordinator Traci Brooke and Communications Manager Andrea Davis were on hand to pass out candy to all the kids.
Free Fitness Videos
Our employee assistance program provider, Encompass (formerly HelpNet), has several videos that are free to Granger associates and include different tips for staying physically fit. Topics include setting a daily physical activity goal; why warm up, cool down and stretch; and various stretches. To access these videos, visit www.mylifeexpert.com/video/23426143-cb70-11eb-bd1a-0ae3e39d19dc. If you don't already have a login, you will need to create one using the company code GRANGER123.
Rob Weitz Retires
Rob Weitz, a driver at our Fowlerville location, recently retired. Rob worked for Mr. Rubbish for 10 years, spent 26 years at Alchin’s Disposal and finished his career with one year at Granger Waste Services. According to Jerry Davis, operations supervisor in Fowlerville, "Rob was a great employee and is going to be missed for sure." We wish Rob all the best!
Now Hiring!
You can earn up to $1,000 for each qualified candidate you refer who is hired. As a reminder, you will receive $250 after the new associate is here 90 days and $250 for each of three additional 90-day periods, as long as the associate you referred stays at Granger. 
Message from the Chaplain
Inspirational Thoughts from Ron Granger 
Kudos
I always get fantastic service and have never been missed. Thank you for all your hard work!
 
—A customer speaking about Shawn Sparks

I wanted to call in to give a compliment to our guys who work our route. I have very cranky neighbors who are constantly a pain with the guys on the truck and I just wanted to call to say thank you. They are always so polite and professional despite my neighbors. They are very hard workers, and we really appreciate them and what they do. Please let their supervisors know it does not go unnoticed.

—A customer speaking about Joel Gardner and Steve Webber

The fantastic man who picks up for us has been our favorite part of living there. He gave my son a Captain Curby stuffed toy and always waves to him. He is greatly appreciated by us! We will miss seeing him on Tuesdays.

—A customer speaking about James Glasscoe

I would like to take the time today to recognize an employee of yours who goes above and beyond his required job duties. We live in downtown DeWitt on Wilson Street and our garbage man, RJ, has exceeded our expectations since we moved here two years ago. He is professional, courteous, and goes the extra mile for my family and our neighbors. Since moving here, I have witnessed RJ help neighbors by bringing their trash cans up to their garages, shaking a hand and offering a friendly hello, and always trying to say hi to my kiddos who eagerly wait for the garbage truck’s arrival! He personally delivers treats at certain times of the year with a big, happy smile on his face! We are so lucky to have him working in our community. RJ deserves the recognition of being an outstanding employee! He is the best!
Thanks again for his hard work!

—A customer speaking about RJ Rubie

I live on Lake Geneva in DeWitt, and I wanted to say thank you to Steve P. He does such a great job, and we’ve never had a problem with our trash not being serviced. Thanks, Steve!

—A customer speaking about Steve Pickrell

They do such a great job picking up the trash. They are always there and there are never any issues. 

—A customer speaking about Ron Vaughn and Gunner DeBruyn

Our driver took the time to stop and talk to me about the service hold and still emptied the trash because he knew it was just a mix up. I was very pleased that he took the time to explain everything to me. Great job!

—A customer speaking about RJ Rubie

Thank you. You have amazing drivers!

—A customer speaking about Todd Neller
Birthdays



Commercial Sales Administrator
October 13



Operations Trainer
October 13


Professional Driver
(Jackson)
October 14


Professional Driver (Cedar Springs)
October 15


Professional Driver
(Lansing)
October 16


Director of Operations
October 16


Professional Driver
(Jackson)
October 18


GIS Analyst
October 21


Chief Prayer Officer
October 24


Equipment Operator Apprentice
October 25


Director
October 26




Anniversaries



Mechanic
(Lansing)
26 Years



Driver Supervisor/Dispatcher
(Lansing)
10 Years


Professional Driver
(Lansing)
10 Years


Accounting Manager
6 Years


Mechanic
(Lansing)
5 Years


Professional Driver
(Alma)
5 Years


Professional Driver
(Alma)
2 Years


Professional Driver
(Alma)
2 years


Professional Driver
(Lansing)
2 Years


Professional Driver
(Lansing)
1 Year


Residential Helper
(Fowlerville)
1 Year


Welder
(Lansing)
1 Year


Residential Helper
(Fowlerville)
1 Year


Professional Driver (Jackson)
1 Year
Welcome



Professional Driver (Lansing)



Professional Driver (Lansing)



Professional Driver (Lansing)



Professional Driver (Lansing)



Mechanic (Jackson)



Professional Driver (Lansing)
Congratulations


Congratulations to Zach Webb on the birth of his daughter, Rowan Everlee, on October 1. Zach is a professional driver in Fowlerville.
Mechanic Certifications


Congratulations to Dustin Minier, a mechanic in Lansing, who recently passed his state certifications in heavy duty brakes and heavy duty diesel and gas engines.
(517) 372-2800
www.grangerwasteservices.com