SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Sylacauga native William M. Roberts was recently honored as the Large Business Employee of the Year at an awards ceremony held at the Gordon Persons Building in Montgomery.
The award recognizes the achievements of employees with disabilities, businesses and vocational rehabilitation professionals. The ceremony was conducted by the Alabama Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, a program of the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS).
“I was humbled, honored, and frankly amazed that one could be awarded for doing something that is so rewarding in its own right,” said Roberts. “I also am so fortunate to be inspired by so many who bravely face challenges everyday that are much more daunting than any I ever have to face.”
Roberts is a retired Sylacauga firefighter, but has worked the majority of his life in a family business, Roberts’ Landscaping.
It has not always been the easiest path for Roberts. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1998, but he has managed to continue to make an impact on his community in so many ways.
One impact that he has made was his role as the city’s head gardener at the community gardens at the elementary schools within the city of Sylacauga, as well as at the main location at the Sylacauga Alliance for Family Enhancement (SAFE).
“Every day is a gift and an opportunity to do something for someone else, and I think that sometimes when someone is faced with a serious challenge, whether it be physical, financial, or whatever, they may feel no longer useful,” said Roberts. “That could not be further from the truth. It does not matter what ones’ limitations are because they have a gift that can make a difference for someone else. They just need to figure out what gift(s) they have. Giving of yourself is the greatest gift of all.”
