RONAN - Singing, smiles and hugs were a big part of Sunday's celebration for Sandra Mary Brickzin, employee of the decade at Ronan Pizza Café.

Owner Burt Cannon honored his longtime employee, who has Down syndrome and is a resident at the Mission Mountain Enterprises (MME) program, with a pizza party fit for one of the hardest working and most loved employees at the restaurant.

Dozens came out to congratulate Sandra, listen to the Singing Sons of Beaches and enjoy some delicious pizza. The afternoon was capped off with the unveiling of a large frame with pictures of Sandra and a plaque officially declaring her "employee of the decade."

"Sandra means so much to all of us here," Cannon said, choking back tears as he described his beloved employee. "I'm so glad all of her friends and family could be here today. Thank you."

Cannon, who opened the restaurant in 2000, has had a huge role in helping his "special friends" at MME contribute in the community. Based in Ronan, MME provides community-based services for people with intellectual disabilities. Numerous members of the program have held positions at the café, but none as long as Sandra.

"He always tries to have one or two (from the program) working here," Shannon Cannon said of her father in-law. "He's got a big heart like that."

The significance of the event and the man who organized it wasn't lost on MME chief executive officer Brodie Moll.

"It's been huge having an employer that is committed, not to just employing them, but to bring them into his life," Moll said. "He's not just signing a pay check but he takes Sandy for boat rides and to Quinn's Hot Springs. I thought [the party] was a great effort and Burt went out of his way for somebody in the community on his only day off of the week and at his expense."

On Monday, Cannon said, Sandra was given a shock when her brother Henry, who she hadn't seen in several years, dropped in to say hello. The joy and happiness that visit and the party gave Sandra made him very pleased.

And Cannon doesn't see anything he's done as a burden. Rather, the experience has been well worth it for him and the people he employs.

"To me, it's so rewarding to see the smile on those kids faces and how grateful they are," he said. "It's been a win-win situation for me. It's not about me paying them. Having them here is just wonderful. She's just special; all of them are."