Shown, from left, are Lunch Box Owner Lee Rutherford, employee Avery Payne, and Renee Wortham, of Demco Printing. Provided

On Friday, June 10, Avery Payne, with The Lunch Box in Shawnee, received the Ron Henderson Kindness Forward Award from Shawnee Forward and Demco Printing for the month of June.

The Kindness Forward Award is given each month to an employee in the community who shows kindness in their everyday work environment. This individual is nominated by Shawnee Forward members and staff.

Avery Payne is a cashier and server at The Lunch Box in Shawnee.

“Avery has been amazing and we love her,” Lunch Box Owner Lee Rutherford said.

Payne is currently working on another college degree while working part time at The Lunch Box.

Shawnee Forward and Demco Printing acknowledge the hard work and consistency in the local workforce and exist to lead and empower a diverse community through collaborative economic growth, workforce development, and educational enrichment, to improve the quality of life and opportunities for the greater Shawnee area.