by Mary-Kate Roan
Staff Writer
The quarterly Downtown Ambassador award winners were announced Wednesday during a small ceremony in the Ed Ball Building and four Ambassadors were honored for their dedication to their job and making Downtown a better and safer place to visit, work and live.
John Collier, Sabrina Frederick, Todd Knight and Arnold Brown were recognized for everything from their employment history to helping people with the little things.
Collier was presented the Perfect Attendance Award. Next month, he celebrates his 10th month being an Ambassador. Frederick, Knight and Brown each received an Outstanding Ambassador Award. Brown and Frederick have worked as Ambassadors for eight months while Knight has been there four months.
Collier, however, is not new to receiving the Perfect Attendance Award. He also took home the award for the first quarter, making it six months in a row with a spotless attendance record.
The story of Brown’s award started with several compliments about his help in guiding people unfamiliar to Jacksonville’s Downtown scene. In one account, he was courteous enough to hold an umbrella for a woman as she walked down the street in the middle of a downpour.
“That’s what I’m here for,” said Brown. “That’s what the Ambassadors are all about.”
Frederick and Knight received Outstanding Ambassador awards because of their contributions to helping people Downtown as well as their fellow Ambassadors.
Recognizable with their bright orange shirts and pith helmets, the Downtown Ambassadors have been around since October 2001. The Ambassadors are a division of Downtown Vision Inc. and shoulder the responsibility of helping people around Downtown. Typically seen giving out maps, directions and other useful information to visitors, the Ambassadors can be found patrolling the streets of Downtown seven days a week.
However, their duties are not limited to handing out flyers and information. They also contact authorities should any harm come to a person or their property or if confronted with a dangerous situation.
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