Bus Boy At Beggars Hasn't Missed A Day Of Work In 24 Years

BLUE ISLAND, IL - Do you remember where you worked in 1994? The world was a bit different back then, so it's quite possible that the company you serve now didn't even exist at that time.

But not for Greg. That's the year he started his job as a bus boy at the Beggars Pizza at 127th and Western in Blue Island. Not only has he been there ever since, but he hasn't missed a single day of work since he was hired by the Garetto family.

Greg is a client at Blue Cap who has been part of the Blue Island-based non-profit's "See Me as Your Coworker" employment program since the organization helped him land the job 24 years ago.

“I start by filling the ice machine, stack the to-go boxes” Greg said. “I help with everything.”

Blue Cap's Employment Services offers individualized support to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are interested in community job placement, while providing local businesses with quality employees. The program was highlighted by Blue Cap in March in honor of Intellectual and Developmental Disability Awareness Month.

The original Beggars has been one of Blue Cap's work sites for years. And the benefits have certainly been mutual considering the consistency the popular restaurant has seen from Greg.

"It has been my privilege to employ the wonderful, caring people from Blue Cap," Beggars owner Larry Garetto said. "I look forward to keeping this arrangement going for many years to come."

Cheryl Garetto, another owner, called Greg a "model employee."

“Beggars Pizza is fortunate to have had the opportunity and means to give support to Blue Cap throughout the years and we will continue to do so," she said. "We were also lucky enough to have hired a bus boy through Blue Cap 24 years ago, and this model employee continues to work in our Blue Island Western Avenue store doing an exceptional job.”