Article Display

20th FSS celebrates International Housekeeping Week

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Kelsey Tucker
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. - --  Team Shaw members participated in International Housekeeping Week at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Sept. 14-18.

Established in 1981 by the International Executive Housekeepers Association, International Housekeeping Week was created to honor professional housekeepers - not only in hotels, but also places such as hospitals, state facilities, and schools.

"We play a game once a day, and just let them relax, chill out, have fun, and let them realize how much they're appreciated," said Valerie Bernier, 20th Force Support Squadron custodial worker supervisor. "They work really hard. It's a stressful job, and (this week) has given them time to relax."

During this week, the custodial workers were provided breakfast every morning before they began work, and after they finished each day they had the opportunity to participate in one of several housekeeping-themed games, which varied from sack races to a dust bunny hunt that had them scrambling to find colored pieces of paper hidden throughout a room.

The games they participated in were based on ones that are played by other custodial workers in hotels around the world, said Bernier.

"It is an honor and a privilege to do this for our housekeepers," said Staff Sgt. Charles Burkes, 20th FSS front desk manager, "due to the fact that they are the front lines when it comes to our customers, when it comes to the first impression that a customer gets when they come to our facility. They make it happen."

Though International Housekeeping Week has been celebrated since 1981, this year marks the fourth year that Shaw has taken part in the festivities.

The events helped boost morale and teach teamwork which can be used in all parts of their lives. It also provided the supervisors a chance to show appreciation for the dedication the housekeepers put into their work, and the standards they uphold.

"We appreciate our housekeepers," said Burkes, "and we hope that they know we appreciate them. Without them, lodging across the Air Force would not be possible."