In past years, during the Holiday Season, AMS employees could be seen buying and wrapping gifts for children and young people who participate in the Val Verde Youth Activity League. The gift-giving is something the employees have made into a tradition, and it is a very much enjoyed tradition by all who participate. AMS President, Betty-Lou Wiseman, is in charge of the program, and Erica Martinez, Account Management, organizes a team, and works on the fundraising. Through this, a lot of AMS employees are able to enjoy the experience of giving to children who have might need a bit of extra love.
In the past the Christmas gift wrapping would take place in the AMS HQ lobby, with the lobby eventually full of bicycles, ribbons, boxes and bows. In photographs of those past events everybody is wearing a big smile.
“What can we do this year,” has been a question for the group. Things are different for us all, but the giving spirit is still the same, or maybe even stronger than before. The group was determined to make it special for the families, so a few weeks ago they began raising funds to support the gift program. They raised a lot of funds!!!
AMS employees responded by donating a total of $5,000 to divide into gift cards to share among almost 30 families. AMS also bought dinner vouchers from Vallarta Supermarket to share with the families. The families were selected from those that participate in the YAL “Adopt a Family” program. YAL is co-supported by both the Val Verde Community and our local Sheriff Station. The gift-giving took place on the evening of December 21st
While the office areas at AMS lay quiet this year from the bustle of gift wrapping, organizing, and infectious smiles, AMS associates prepared for this annual gift giving. They were working from desks remote, or working behind protective masks and safely distanced in offices or the warehouse. Still they showed their hearts with donations to those struggling this COVID year in our neighboring Val Verde community.
Our thanks go out to Erica and Betty-Lou for championing the very best, and to our generous AMS associates for doing the most healing thing we can do this Holiday Season… care about one another.
