The DowntownDC Business Improvement District’s (BID) red-uniformed Safety/Hospitality and Maintenance employees (SAMs) got a taste of the theatre this June at their employee-of-the-month meeting hosted by the Shakespeare Theatre‘s Sidney Harman Hall (601 F Street NW).
SAMs listened as Teddy Rodger, Associate Director of Audience Development & Promotions, said that the venue in which they were currently sitting, Sidney Harman Hall, was currently showing Molière’s “Tartuffe,” adapted by David Ball and directed by Dominique Serrand. Tartuffe runs through July 5th. In the Shakespeare Theatre’s Lansburgh Theatre, Harry Potter fans can currently catch “Potted Potter,” seven Harry Potter books summed up in 70 minutes.
This summer, the Shakespeare Theatre will celebrate its 25th annual Free For All event with a remounted performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Tickets will be given away completely free of charge and the theatre will offer a variety of free events to celebrate.
[To learn more about the theatre’s Free For All event, click here.]
As the SAM meeting got underway, BID Director of Economic Development Gerry Widdicombe spoke briefly about the groundbreaking of the new Capitol Crossing development—a 7 acre, $1.3 billion mixed-use project that will bridge over the exposed section of Interstate 395 in Downtown. The project is slated to include almost 70,000 square feet of retail space.
BID Director of Operations Everett D. E. Scruggs then offered praise and encouragement to the SAMs and shared the latest SAM appreciation letters.
One writer was visitor Ashley Pugh, who wrote that SAM Abby Richardson went “out of her way for me and my elderly mother.” “She assisted us with care and love and I could never forget her for this,” Pugh wrote. “She will be in our hearts for the rest of our lives.” Pugh complimented the SAM program as a whole, writing, “I love what the SAMs have made this city become and for that we will continue to visit Washington, D.C. Thank you for all you do.”
Scruggs shared additional SAM commendations, which reached the BID via Twitter and other channels.
Scruggs also shared a humorous and inspirational story about preventing people from “raining” on your parade. He added that some of the SAMs may think this is “just my job, but your job is such that it touches people from all walks of life.”
SAMs were also informed about upcoming summer events, including the Capital Harvest on the Plaza (CHoP) farmers market at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center and the SAMs’ annual picnic, which will be held June 20 at Hains Point. This year, flag football will be part of the celebration.
As is the custom every month, two SAMs were chosen as standout employees of the month. The winners for May were: Safety/Hospitality SAM Mike Marshall and Maintenance SAM Raymond Dantzler. The two men have a shared history at the BID. They both began working for the BID in 2007 and became friends through the process. They prayed together the morning of the meeting, praying for a great day working for the BID. They view their joint win as a sign.
This isn’t the first time they’ve taken home taken home SAM-of-the-Month awards together. Dantzler and Marshall were together named employees of the month last January.
Mike Marshall said “the people… the people you help” are what keeps him motivated each day on the job. He noted he often offers help to homeless individuals. “They have nowhere to go… no one looking out for them.” When not at work, Marshall enjoys reading, especially the Bible (along with Stephen King). Marshall likes to spend time watching the History Channel and finding out how things work and he loves to learn about technology, engineering and architecture.
Raymond Dantzler said that upon hearing his name, he was “shocked.” “ I was stuck for a minute,” he said. Dantzler said his work with the SAMs is meaningful to him because of his love of people. “I like helping people. I like to talk too, about all types of things: the world, sports.” He said he has “a good heart.” Dantzler enjoys being at home, watching movies, eating and spending time with family. He proudly added that his 10-year-old daughter, Rayonna, just made the honor roll at her school.