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Nazarine Edwards of Olathe, Kansas, has been a parking booth cashier for the Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas, for two and a half years. The single mother of four, who was nominated by the hospital for the award, stood out as one of Westaff's "best of the best," for her exceptional work ethic and unique approach to her job.

Westaff's Best is an annual awards program for outstanding temporary employees from one of the country's premier staffing and employment companies.

"Nazarine knows who has come to the hospital for radiation, who has come to have a baby, or who has lost a loved one," said Greg Sulentic, Westaff's Regional Manager for the Plains Region. "She has customers' thank you cards all over her 6'x 8' booth, and the hospital gets two to three calls every month as well as letters about her."

Westaff client Avis Moore (Edwards' hospital supervisor), called Edwards an "angel in the booth." Moore recounted how one customer, whose son was in the hospital, wrote Moore to say that whenever she was depressed about her son's illness she felt like talking with Edwards rather than with a social worker. "But not only is she outstanding in terms of her relationships with customers, she is also just a great worker — I'm ecstatic for her, but I'm not surprised she won this honor," Moore said.

The national award is being announced in anticipation of National Staffing Employee Week, October 21-27, a nationwide campaign by the American Staffing Association, which honors America's temporary employees.

Edwards was chosen by Westaff from among 15 regional awardees and 74 branch awardees from around the country. She will receive a weekend trip for two to San Francisco, a Certificate of Recognition from Westaff, and numerous other gifts.

"I believe you give to people what you want for yourself," Edwards said about her approach to her eight-hour shifts. "Most of the time, you know that people coming from the hospital are going through something really bad, so I try to give them some kindness before they leave. I may be the last person they see until they get home. That's why I smile and say, 'God bless you.'"

On occasion, Edwards, who is African-American, has run into prejudice or rudeness from drivers exiting her lot, but generally her biggest challenge is people crowding into her line to have a quick, friendly chat. Edwards manages to talk to each while still keeping the line going: "We share little, personal moments," she said. "The time I do get with each person is wonderful."

Westaff's awards program helps give outstanding temporary workers the recognition they deserve, said Westaff President and CEO Dwight Pedersen: "Westaff is pleased to acknowledge and thank Nazarine for being such an exceptional employee and person. We are proud to have her as part of our organization. She is an outstanding example of how our employees make a real, positive difference to our customers and to the community."

Westaff, with headquarters in Walnut Creek, CA, provides staffing business solutions for more than 20,000 clients, and employment and training to 175,000 temporary and Permanent Placement employees annually in the areas of administration, call centers and light industry.

Westaff has 310 offices throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Norway and Denmark, and achieved fiscal 2001 revenues of more than $580 million. For more information about Westaff, please visit our Web site at www.westaff.com.