After 25 years of dedicated service to Delarc, we’re excited to announce that our agency mascot, Blesher Lil’ Heart, is retiring!
Blesher Lil’ Heart, or Blesher, as our mascot is so fondly referred to as, made a grand appearance in October of 1999 with its very first visit and has recognized hundreds of staff across Delarc since that time.
In October of 1998, a group of 7 Delarc staff visited Trinity Services, another provider located in Joliet Illinois. As part of this visit, we learned of a unique staff recognition program called “Lily Lepit”. Lily was a big green frog that was larger than life. Lily traveled around Trinity Services celebrating staff accomplishments and contributions.
Staff brought this idea back to Delarc and the quest for our own Mascot Program began. We received input from staff across the agency and from our membership and board of directors about what our Mascot should look like. Ideas ranged from “Sammy the SWAN” to “Della the Dolphin”. A team gathered and reviewed over 50 ideas, and from those, Blesher Lil’ Heart was born!
Blesher has proudly wore a crown of six points, representing each of our Unifying Principles, which nominations for the recognition program are based on. As part of the mascot recognition program, staff receive a Certificate of Recognition that communicates the reason they are being recognized (one particular, exceptional deed that goes above and beyond), and how it relates to one or all of Delarc’s Unifying Principles. They also receive a red heart shaped pin embossed with the word “Genuine” across it.
Blesher has served us well over the past 25 years and is looking forward to a well-deserved retirement.
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