Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 11th April 2024 Issue no. 1109
Your industry news - first
The original and best - for over 20 years!
We strongly recommend viewing Cleanzine full size in your web browser. Click our masthead above to visit our website version.
Cintas crowns Custodian of the Year 2022
After nearly 90,000 votes were cast, Cintas Corporation has crowned Lydell Henderson, of Presidential Park Elementary School in Middletown, New York, 
winner of the 2022 Cintas Custodian of the Year contest. Lydell was honoured by over 1,500 students and staff in a surprise ceremony at the school and will receive a $10,000 cash prize from Cintas.
"This contest showcases the unique stories of hardworking custodians throughout the country who deserve recognition for their dedication to their profession," says Christiny Betsch, marketing manager, Cintas. "The community at Presidential Park Elementary School clearly thinks the world of Mr Henderson, who we're honoured to recognise for his achievements."
School custodians often go above and beyond their regular tasks, including the time Lydell helped to prevent a student from choking. Without hesitation, he stepped up and performed the Heimlich Manoeuvre, which may have saved the student's life. On top of this heroic act, he has been an asset at his school for the last 34 years with unmatched professionalism. His school and community rallied around him throughout the voting process, earning him roughly 30% of the contest's total votes.
"Custodians play a vital role in schools across the US in helping to keep students, faculty and staff healthy and safe," says John Barrett, executive director, ISSA. "At ISSA, we're dedicated to providing custodians and other cleaning professionals certification programs to make their jobs easier and more efficient. We're excited to again offer our training services this year to contest winners and finalists."
In addition to the $10,000 cash prize from Cintas, the school will receive $5,000 in products and services from Cintas and Rubbermaid Commercial Products, along with a comprehensive training and development package from ISSA, valued at $30,000. Lydell will also receive enrollment in the GBAC Fundamentals Online Course that teaches cleaning professionals to prepare for, respond to and recover from biorisks in all types of facilities, from the Global Biorisk Advisory Council.
Each of the remaining nine finalists will receive a cash prize of $1,000 from Cintas and free tuition to one ISSA Cleaning Management Institute training event, valued at $1,500.
Robert Posthauer, sr. vice president sales and marketing, Rubbermaid Commercial Products, says: "This is an exciting moment for Mr Henderson, and we're proud to take part in recognising his achievement as the nation's best custodian."
19th May 2022