Working Hard

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. This holiday constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country, in other words, it honors the “working man and woman.” Most families gather for rest and relaxation and the working men and women enjoy their time off.

What better way to pay tribute to the spirit of this national holiday than to take a close look at a local woman that defines the day.

Meet Homestead resident Sharon Robinson, who on this holiday weekend will most likely be doing what she has been doing for the past 55 years.

Working.

She is a true example of a dedicated and loyal employee.

She’s been flipping burgers and making customers smile at Burger King for 55 years.

In 1959, Sharon, a young high school girl, went to work after school for Burger King on Coral Way.

Living in Perrine, Sharon would take a bus from her home to the restaurant.

The restaurant was founded in 1954 and she worked for the company for 12 years.

In 1959, she also met the current franchise owners of the Homestead Burger King located at 30390 South Dixie Highway.

Every time they stopped where Sharon worked they urged her to quit the company and work for them.

In 1972, she did just that.

She’s done it all.

Open the doors, cook, scoop fries, clean and everything else until she finally became a manager.

“I didn’t like looking for a job so I never quit!” she giggled. “I love my job. I know a lot of people and we have customers that have been coming in forever!” Sharon said with pride.

Sharon raised a son and now has three grandsons.

“I have no family here as my son, his wife and children live in Tennessee.” Sharon explained. “I go to visit once or twice a year and my son encourages me to stay but, this is my home and these people that I work with are my family.”

When questioned about her favorite part of the job, Sharon answered, “I’m terrible with computers so I love working in the kitchen and going out and talking to customers. I just enjoy the people.”

Statistics show that the fast food industry employs the vast majority of youth.

Sharon enthusiastically talked about the youngsters she employs and while doing so, her smile grew wider and one could see a motherly aura as she exclaimed, “I just love these youngsters. Most think of me as their mother and our turnover here in employees is very low.”

“We have managers that have been working here with me for over 20 years. I haven’t hired anyone in a long while. I think they enjoy their jobs and we are like family here. We like it.”

“Sometimes the youngsters will ask when I’m going to retire.” added Sharon. “I jokingly tell them it will be when I get as slow as you!” and she giggled like the teen who started working at Burger King 55 years ago. “Retire? What will I do at home? I love my house but I really love my work.”

Sharon has seen many changes over the past 55 years.

“The current Burger King is the third store on this lot in Homestead and is store number four so we have been here close to the beginning,” continued Sharon. “Years ago you walked up outside and ordered. The second store was built in 1964 and it was here until 1981 when they built this one.”

In her spare time, Sharon enjoys line dancing and going out with friends.

She is a fixture at the line dancing class at the Community Center on Tuesdays and also dances on Thursdays.

It’s not too difficult to see that Sharon and the employees truly enjoy their jobs.

Sharon’s smile is endless and she greets customers like she has known them for years.

It was refreshing to hear a young employee behind the counter ask a customer who walked in the door, “Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in a long time!”

When asked what her advice for employees these days would be, Sharon quickly answered, “Have patience, be friendly and my goodness, be thankful you have a job!”

Sharon Robinson is truly an example of who should be honored this Labor Day.

Next time you’re feeling like a burger, stop and say hello to Sharon.

She’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

Homestead Hosts Construction Job Fair

By Chris Himmel

“I came to see the opportunities available and try to better myself,” was how Homestead resident Luis Salinas felt following an interview with LUNACON Construction Group, representatives at the City of Homestead’s Construction Projects Job Fair this week.

Salinas added, “that I can be part of this team of renovating Homestead.”

According to Homestead Economic Development Manager Gemma Torcivia 75 local residents visited the Fair held at the City’s 1930s era Lily Lawrence Bow Library building on August 23rd.

Employment positions were for the City’s future City Hall and the renovation of the Homestead Sports Complex into a temporary headquarters for the Homestead Police Department.

The City Hall and Homestead Police building projects are part of greater municipal infrastructure improvements that will change the Downtown Homestead Historic District in the next few years.

After completing their interviews with LUNACON, Homestead resident Quentin McCoy said that it was “progression and knowledge and opportunity to grow in this profession” that brought him to the Job Fair.

Similarly, fellow resident Wayne Oats stated “what brings me here is job opportunities; levitation towards better knowledge in construction.”

While applications could be completed and turned in on the spot to LUNACON and Munilla Construction Management (MCM), Scott, a local resident, picked up an application for his son.

The considerable turnout for a Saturday morning met with Councilwoman Patricia Fairclough’s approval.

In noting that the Job Fair “was there so that our residents can get a fair share of the pie (jobs wise)”, Councilwoman Fairclough expressed that “it’s a defining moment for the City. We have a Council who believes in strengthening the economic vitality of the community, and what we’re doing represents our commitment to our local residents who voted for the projects.”

Echoing sentiments that have been discussed by residents in terms of the need for more good paying employment positions, she added “we want our local residents to be the first source of hiring, not an afterthought.”

Pointing out that his company already has 80 employees working on the Homestead City Hall Project MCM’s William Ugarte said “it’s a great thing for the city. It’s going to be an iconic project. We’re excited to partner with the city.”

Ugarte stated that applications received at the Job Fair will not only be applicable to MCM and its Homestead City Hall Project but to the other projects it and its subcontractors work on in South Florida.

MCM will share the received applications with them.

Human Resources Coordinator for MCM Kelly Alfonso was pleased with the local response, stating “everyone has been eager and welcoming. They’re looking for career options.”

In saying “it’s been great to come back in our neighborhood again”, LUNACON Assistant Project Manager for the Homestead Sports Complex renovation Saday Rivera noted that she grew up in Homestead, attending Avocado Elementary and Homestead Middle Schools.

In terms of the Job Fair itself, she concluded that “we’ve had an excellent turnout we’ve gotten a lot of excellent resumes.”

In noting that “we try very hard to stay local”, Ms. Rivera pointed out that the Perrine-based company is already working on a construction project at Homestead Air Reserve Base and will be working there on another in the future.

While LUNACON is looking to fill 10 positions at the Homestead Sports Complex, Ms. Rivera stated that resumes received will also be considered for other LUNACON projects and will also be provided to its subcontractors.