For nearly half a century Alveta Roberts has been a certified nursing assistant at the Crest Pointe Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center. That lifetime’s worth of work, professionalism and dedication to the New Jersey facility was celebrated recently with a surprise party in her honor.

Photo courtesy of Crest Pointe

“Former colleagues came from far and wide — that’s a testament to the truly amazing person she is,” marveled Loretta Shopene, Crest Pointe’s director of community relations. 

It was a celebration that other operators would do well to replicate for their respective super long-term employees.

Staff at the 118-bed long-term and post-hospital care facility in Point Pleasant hosted the surprise bash and presented Roberts with a lifetime achievement award in November. 

The celebration included pink and purple decorations, which are her favorite colors, “45” balloons, flowers from her fellow staff members and cake. The town’s mayor presented her with an engraved plaque and gift for her years of service.

Roberts enjoyed every minute of the celebration — and said she has no intention of slowing down. 

“Everyone here at Crest Pointe is family to me,” she said. “I can’t thank them enough and couldn’t stop smiling that day. It was very special.”