Sharp is valuable worker at Bob Evans
By ROGER ADKINS, radkins@newsandsentinel.comPARKERSBURG - Truman Sharp knows the value of a hard day's work.
Sharp, a 59-year-old Wood County resident with special needs, excels at his work at Bob Evans Restaurant on Seventh Street, said his boss, Christi Alleman, general manager. Sharp, who has developmental disabilities, has been working at the restaurant for four years.
"He's a really good employee," Alleman said.
Though Sharp spends most of his shift washing and managing the restaurant's dishes, he helps out in other areas.
"He handles the tank (dishwasher) during the day. He also takes out the trash, fills up the ice bin and stuff like that," Alleman said.
A part-time employee, Sharp usually works from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Alleman said. He's even been named employee of the month.
Alleman said Sharp is well-liked by his co-workers.
"One of the servers who works here, last Thanksgiving had him over for dinner. Everyone really likes him. We're really glad to have him," Alleman said.
Sharp said the ham is his favorite item on the Bob Evans menu. He said his co-workers are his favorite part of working at the restaurant.
"I like the waitresses. We get along all right," he said.
Sharp receives services from ResCare, a local agency that provides 24-hour assistance to individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities, said April Davis, executive director of ResCare.
Davis said she was impressed with Sharp when she first met him four months ago after she was transferred to ResCare as a service coordinator. She said he is focused and hard-working.
"My first impressions were really good ones. He's a very nice man, very quiet. He's also very organized and a hard worker," she said.
Davis said she hears Sharp is a solid employee. His bosses have never had reason to complain.
"He's always on time and very thorough with his job," she said. "Truman truly enjoys his job. He's very responsible and takes it very seriously."
Sharp and his roommate, who also is a ResCare client, rent an apartment in Boaz.
"For someone such as Truman, we provide 24-hour staffing. That is just to help them with their daily living and supportive employment in Truman's case," Davis said. "We just help keep them on task and help them fit into the community. We also make sure no one takes advantage of them."
Sharp's hobbies include fishing, watching movies and listening to bluegrass music.
Cheryl Wolfe, one of the ResCare staff members who works with Sharp, said he is a fun guy to be around. He recently accompanied her on a trip to the West Virginia Baptist Conference Center in Ripley. Swimming and fishing were some of the activities they enjoyed.
"I went swimming with Cheryl the other day," Sharp said. "We went fishing, too, but I didn't catch anything. I only had one bite."
Sharp said his pet peeve is second-hand smoke.
"I can't be around those cigars. They clog me up," he said.
