Horn, Brady receive Kroger honors

[April 20, 2010]  Kroger has announced that Kathy Horn and Michael Brady are receiving honors from the corporation: Horn for her community involvement and Brady for his dedication to customer service.

Horn, who fills many roles at the Kroger store in Lincoln as well as being the store's community ambassador, is one of 19 recipients of the company's 2009 Community Service Award. She is also a previous Lincoln Daily News Personality of the Week. (Community leader, Kroger employee respected in multiple roles: Kathy Horn)

The winners were selected from among 156 nominees submitted by the 150 stores in the Kroger Central Division and four nominees from the division office. Horn was nominated for her award by Lincoln Kroger manager Jan Metz.

"She gives back to the town as a Chamber of Commerce Ambassador where she welcomes new businesses. When Kathy's son was deployed to Afghanistan, Kathy organized a letter-writing campaign and donations of phone cards for the unit. During the holidays, Kathy organized her Kroger store associates to volunteer time to the Salvation Army Red Kettle bell ringing, which resulted in $800 raised in one week," Metz said in her nomination.

Through her community ambassador role, Horn contacted all local schools about Kroger education grants, raising awareness and involvement. Two local schools received grants in 2009. She also helped organize and participated in the ALS Walk for a Cure, helping raise more than $1,000 for ALS.

Michael Brady is of 150 employees in the Kroger Central Division to receive a Customer Service Award.

"As a company, Kroger is very committed to serving our local communities," said a statement by Kroger President Bob Moeder. "We believe customer service and community service are integral parts of the same purpose. We deliberately seek ways to honor those associates whose exceptional customer service and leadership inspire others and demonstrate the critical importance of serving customers well. I am very proud of Kathy and Michael, as are the more than 15,000 members of the Kroger Central Division family in this operating division."

The Kroger Central Division has 150 food stores, 123 pharmacies and 58 fuel centers operating under five banners -- Kroger, Scott's, Owen's, Hilander and Pay Less -- with locations primarily in Indiana and Illinois, in addition to five stores in Missouri, one in Michigan and one in Ohio.

[Text from file received from Kroger]