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Of all of the commemorations in the month of May, none is more important and more appreciated than Mental Health Awareness Month. During the month of May we are encouraged to bring attention to the importance of mental health and the resources available to support it.  

It’s an excellent idea to discuss mental health. We are living in a time that seems so fragile. Stress is almost a given, for all of us. Who among us could not use a ‘mental health day’ every now and then!  

The Stigma of Mental Illness 

First let’s talk about the stigma, prejudice and discrimination in our culture with regard to mental illness. According to an article in psychiatry.org more than half of people with mental illness do not receive help for their disorders. The reason given is that people avoid or delay seeking treatment due to fears of being treated differently or of losing their jobs. That’s a sad reality. 

The article points toward types of stigma, one being negative or discriminatory treatment by the public, and the other is self-stigma where an individual feels shame or has a negative attitude toward self.  

The article states, “Stigma often comes from lack of understanding or fear. Inaccurate or misleading media representations of mental illness contribute to both those factors.” An additional issue they point toward is cultural. “Stigma around mental illness is especially an issue in some diverse racial and ethnic communities and it can be a major barrier to people from those cultures accessing mental health services.” 

Finally, the article states, “A review of studies on stigma shows that while the public may accept the medical or genetic nature of a mental health disorder and the need for treatment, many people still have a negative view of those with mental illness.” Read the article HERE. 

It’s a Changing World 

Imagine how devastating it would be to fear losing your job or not getting an advancement because of a mental health diagnosis. While we realize there are workplaces where stigma, prejudice and discrimination exist, we also know that we are in a changing world.  

The B Corporation is evidence of that changing world. B Corporations are committed to creating a work environment that supports the growth and health of employees, setting a high standard with regard to respect for employees, and that respect includes employees with a mental illness.  

AMS Fulfillment is a B Corporation with a long record of being committed to the well-being of employees. With regard to mental health, AMS offers a program called EAP, or Employee Assistance Program, at no cost to the employee. This program provides direct and immediate help to employees who feel the need for counseling.  

If an AMS employee is going through a stressful or traumatic experience, they can call and speak to a trained professional counselor at any time, 24/7. The EAP offers help with everything from stress management and depression, to relationship challenges, to budgeting. Whatever the problem or issue, the counseling is available. 

Mental Health Awareness 

What can we accomplish with mental health awareness? One would hope that we have collectively been through enough in these past three years of covid stress to accept the fact that mental distress, trauma and illness could happen to any one of us. What we need to overcome is the stigma attached to a diagnosis, or the discrimination and prejudice. That includes our own judgement of ourselves.  

During this Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s challenge ourselves to examine our world and see how the stresses and strains have affected our overall health, including our mental health. Look around and look within – from our neighborhoods to genetics, to the many factors come into play when it comes to mental health. 

At a website called Mental Health America, there is a toolkit that includes information about how an individual’s environment impacts their mental health, suggestions for making changes to improve and maintain mental well-being, and how to seek help for mental health challenges. Visit the website HERE. 

Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May in the United States since 1949, and it was started by this very organization – Mental Health America. 

May we continue to grow past the stigma associated with mental illness and become loving friends of ourselves and each other.

Happy Cinco de Mayo to all AMS employees and a big salute to all AMS employees of Mexican heritage. The 5th of May celebrates the date of the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War. According to the History website, in Mexico May 5th is not celebrated as an important holiday, but in the United States, Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage!

“Within Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is primarily observed in the state of Puebla, where the amazing victory occurred, and some other parts of the country also take part in the celebration. Traditions include military parades, recreations of the Battle of Puebla and other festive events. For many Mexicans, however, May 5 is a day like any other: It is not a federal holiday, so offices, banks and stores remain open.”

The History website tells us that in the US Cinco de Mayo is really a celebration of Mexican-American culture. Rather than asking the History website to tell us about the holiday, we have approached Marco Pelaez, AMS West’s VP of Operations, to tell us how he looks at the celebrations. Marco was born in Puebla, Mexico and as an adult has lived both in Mexico and the US, so Marco is the perfect one to ask… do YOU celebrate Cinco de Mayo?

“In regards to what it means to Mexican-Americans, they get confused as most of them think that the 5th of May is Independence Day. For us it is just a celebration of the battle between the French army and the Mexican army. It is not considered a National holiday or a Federal holiday, however, all schools are out honoring the epic battle. May 5th is not a celebration of the Mexican-American culture. I do not celebrate this date as this is just considered a remembrance of the epic battle.”

Marco went on to say that Mexican Americans like to remember and celebrate the victory over Napoleon’s French army as they were considered the most powerful army back then. Another important factor is that the Mexican army was integrated with the majority of indigenous from the region surrounding the city of Puebla.

Thank you Marco for helping us understand more about Cinco de Mayo in the eyes of a man born in Puebla!

OK, now let’s not get it wrong… there are a lot of parties and celebrations going on and they’re super fun. The parties are especially prevalent in California and Nevada. But before we go out and ‘party’ let’s look into some more information about this battle. It didn’t win independence, but it did win something very important to the people of Puebla and apparently the people of the US as well.

We did a search for information on the battle of Puebla and we ended up at the Library of Congress website. Wow!! Is it ever interesting!! We’ll post two paragraphs so readers can get an idea of why this battle is called EPIC!

“Cinco de Mayo has its roots in an 1861 decision by Mexican President Benito Juárez. Facing a nation in financial ruin after two years of civil war, he suspended payment of foreign debts to the United Kingdom, Spain and France. All three nations sent warships to Mexico to seize payment, landing in Veracruz, on the Gulf Coast. The first two soon cut deals for repayment and withdrew. The French, led by Emperor Napoleon III, had more on their minds, planning to conquer the nation and establish a pro-French monarchy to rule it.

“An elite French military force headed for Mexico City was stopped on May 5, 1862, at Puebla, a city about 80 miles southeast of the capital city. The Mexican forces were led by Texas-born general Ignacio Zaragoza. Working with a ragtag army, he defeated the superior French forces. The French withdrew and were forced to await reinforcements, which took nearly a year. The victory only delayed the eventual French victory (that government lasted until 1867, when it was overthrown) but it was a significant morale boost for a beleaguered nation.”

As we continue to read about this incredible history, we see that these battles are woven in with the Civil War battles in the US and Cinco de Mayo celebrations date all the way back to 1866!!

The article goes on to talk about early celebrations of this victory and it concludes…

“So as you gather with friends for the 160th anniversary of Cinco de Mayo, you might have to remind some that it is not Mexican Independence Day (that’s Sept. 16). But now you can share a story about how, as Crook-Castan, the retired American diplomat puts it, the French defeat at Puebla had a profound impact on the Civil War and “it may well have saved the Union.”” You can read the full article HERE.

Please enjoy learning all about this fascinating history and also feel free to celebrate an EPIC battle that had an impact on a whole lot of things including the outcome of the Civil War!! Isn’t that amazing!! Happy Cinco de Mayo!! And Thank You Marco! 

In the beginning of April we posted a blog about Earth Month and we talked about our Green Team, and some of our AMS Volunteers planning to participate in Earth Day events. Earth Day came, and AMS Volunteers were out on the trails, cleaning up and doing their best to respect the environment. We promised to let the readers know how we did, and here we are proudly saying Thank You to the AMS Volunteers – we did it beautifully!!

There were three cleanups for which volunteers could sign on and participate. One was the Towsley Canyon Cleanup in Newhall, CA; the second was at the Quartz Hill Reservoir Cleanup, which is in the LA area; and the third was in Stevens, PA, called the Middle Creek Wildlife Cleanup.

Here below is our report from the Green Team’s Samantha Hicks:

Towsley Canyon Cleanup
6 employees- (12 Hours)
1 minor Volunteer – (2 hours)

“What I would love to highlight about this cleanup, is that this is a popular hiking trail, so locals saw how AMS was out there making a difference. It is also a good reminder to hikers the keep their trash with them for a proper waste bin, and the effect that they have on others when they throw their trash on the trail.”

Quartz Hill Cleanup
2 employees- (4 Hours)
3 Community Volunteers – (6 Hours)
6 minors Volunteers – (12 hours)

“What I would love to highlight about this cleanup, is that the community volunteers found AMS Cleanup on Earthday.org Great Global Cleanup! AMS was the only registered cleanup in Antelope Valley. AMS really did have an impact on our community, not only by cleaning it up, but by inspiring locals in our community to also make a difference on Earth Day. We cleaned up everything from broken glass and plastic to containers of oil, which I properly dumped the oil at the local recycling center. My entire truck bed was filled to the top!”

PA and DE Earth Day

Our PA and DE volunteers ran into a weather issue. They were rained-out of the Middle Creek Wildlife Cleanup, but according to Samantha they still did their Earth Day celebration indoors.

“Though I do not have an official headcount, our PA and DE volunteers inspired employees to make the most of the rainy day and to make their difference indoors by planting seeds and recycling items in their house. No rainy day stops us from making a difference!”

April is an important month for us in our environmental focus, and AMS employees support the company’s efforts by volunteering for Earth Day events. The following is from Samantha:

“Earth Day 2023! AMS registered with The Great Global Cleanup. Employees, friends, and family volunteers cleaned up Quartz Hill, CA, open Joshua tree land- blossomed with wildflowers, Towsley Canyon trails- fresh water streams, and PA and DE volunteers planted indoor herbs, vegetables & recycled due to the storm. Feels good to be with people making a difference in our community. Shout out to the 13 million volunteers in 187 countries who participated in 2023 Great Global Cleanup.”

Thank You to the AMS Green Team for staying at it and recognizing that you DO make a difference. AMS is a B Corporation and AMS is also a lot of wonderful employees who Volunteer!! Thank You!!

Here below are some photos of our volunteers at work!

What if there was a national holiday where we celebrate TREES!! That would be really wonderful for the Earth and all of us living here. What if that holiday was in the Springtime during Earth Month!! Well… guess what… there IS. That national holiday is on Friday, April 28 and it’s called Arbor Day.

Arbor Day celebrates the planting, upkeep and preservation of trees. It’s global, celebrated in the Springtime around the world. Preservation of trees brings to mind the destruction of the rainforest – a devastating practice that concerns us all. There are many efforts of organizations to plant trees and repair what has been destroyed. Some organizations focus on the rainforest, some focus in areas where strip mining has been done, and some focus on inner city deserts. We will share two of these inspiring stories.

AMS gives their holiday gift to Rainforest Trust because trees matter and rainforests matter a whole lot. AMS is a B Corporation with a focus on preserving the environment. For several years a group of employees, making up the AMS Green Team, has been engaged in reducing our environmental impact. We report on their progress in our Green Team blog.

Interestingly, people have been concerned with the environment for 150 years as evidenced by Arbor Day! Arbor Day dates back to the 1870s when a couple, Julius and Caroline Morton, purchased 160 acres of land in Nebraska City and planted a wide variety of trees and shrubs in a flat stretch of barren land. Julius Morton became the editor of the state’s first newspaper. He used the platform to stress the ecological importance of trees. His readers recognized the importance of his message and from this beginning came Arbor Day.

Arbor Day became an official state holiday in Nebraska in 1885. Within 20 years Arbor Day was celebrated in every state but Delaware. In 1907 the US President, Theodore Roosevelt, issued an Arbor Day proclamation to school children as follows:

“It is well that you should celebrate your Arbor Day thoughtfully, for within your lifetimes the Nation’s need of trees will become serious. We of an older generation can get along with what we have, though with growing hardship; but in your full manhood and womanhood you will want what nature once so bountifully supplied and man so thoughtlessly destroyed.”

How can we celebrate Arbor Day? People often plant a tree and dedicate that tree to a loved one. Trees bring so much reward as they grow and flourish and flower and bear fruit. The founder of Arbor Day left a message that resonates strongly today: “Other holidays repose upon the past; Arbor Day proposes for the future.”

Some Tree Stories

There are some fascinating historical stories of people planting trees that go back to Spain in 1594, so this idea is not a new thing. But it is more urgent than ever before as we see vital forests and other areas stripped of their animal, plant and tree life in order to extract resources.

We would like to share with readers two stories, among many, of people and organizations giving back life to the land by planting trees. The first is about what is called a ‘food desert’. In a low-income community, in Miami, where there are no fresh food stores and good food is very hard to find, there is a garden growing, with abundant fruit trees that offer the neighborhood food as well as beauty. Quoting from the article:

“Brownsville is what is known as a food desert. Food deserts are areas in urban and rural settings that lack traditional supermarkets—in other words, processed food wastelands. Nearly 24 million Americans live in areas with limited or no access to grocery stores that offer fresh produce. Like so many food deserts, Brownsville was left with little hope. Until the community came together and grew it.” Enjoy the full story HERE.

Our second story is about a wonderful forest in West Virginia called Monongahela National Forest. Apparently when the US Forest Service acquired the land there were areas in the forest that had been mined and they hadn’t been restored. The soil in these areas was compacted and there was no native tree cover. This brings invasive species. You can read the story of how the Arbor Foundation, the US Forest Service and an organization called Green Forests Work went in, removed the invasive species, prepared the land and planted trees. There are 25,000 acres being restored. Link to the story HERE.

We would like to offer one more link just for fun. At this link you’ll find a list of famous trees, giving honor to persons or events: HERE. If you have the space and the inspiration to plant a tree for someone you love, please follow your inspiration, send us a photo of your tree and your dedication and we will add the photo to this blog below. Send to the Green Team and… Samantha Hicks!
[email protected] 

For several years we have been writing a B Corporation Series, featuring for the readers some inspiring B Corporations in each blog. April is Earth Month, and B Corporations are focused on the environment and environmental issues. One of the most often discussed issues this year is climate justice. In #38 of our Series we will introduce several B Corporations focused on climate justice.

Google tells us… “Climate justice connects the climate crisis to the social, racial and environmental issues in which it is deeply entangled. It recognizes the disproportionate impacts of climate change on low-income and BIPOC communities around the world, the people and places least responsible for the problem.”

The question for this writing, is how are B Corporations facing Earth Month and Earth Day – what are the B Corps doing? Quoting from a recent article at bcorporation.net: “If B Corps are going to lead a movement of real corporate accountability for this crisis, this work must recognize that social and economic inequity and climate change are linked, that business has been the primary actor in driving forward both, and that the communities that do the least to drive the climate crisis are most heavily impacted by its devastation. In short, our movement’s response to climate change must be grounded in climate justice.”

The article goes on to say that B Corporations, every day, work toward an economic system based not on extraction but on regeneration. There are four B Corps that the article features as examples of being centered on climate justice.

Right People Renewable Energy

First is a company called Right People Renewable Energy (RPRE). The article gives a little history, describing RPRE as a company that…“operates in Singapore and Indonesia, transformed from a labor supply company for the oil and gas sector to a renewable energy business providing employment in low-income and rural communities.”

RPRE describes itself as a company that helps customers switch from pollutive fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy, stating, “We are your all-in-one solar provider.” The company serves industrial clients and it provides a number of services to help the company make the change. You can visit their website HERE.

Green Heffa Farms

The next company they feature is a Black-owned medicinal plants and herbs farm called Green Heffa Farms, based in North Carolina. They describe themselves as a farm, a tea company, a natural health brand, and an educational resource. Their website states, “We do a lot on our 14.84 acres.”

“It is our mission to provide our customers with an exemplary experience while providing expanding access to agriculture for underserved and under-represented farmers.” They not only grow their products, which are tea blends, steam blends, herb blends and hemp flower blends, they provide everything from teaching farming to employing individuals in the community to the best ecological practices. This appears to be is an exceptional B Corporation. You can visit their website HERE.

Lotus Foods and Jubilee Justice

These two B Corps are featured together as Lotus Foods has diversified and strengthened their natural products company, and their domestic supply chain, by partnering with Jubilee Justice. According to the article, Jubilee Justice is…”an organization supporting Black farming communities with resources that foster restoration of land stewardship and regenerative foodways.”

The mission of Jubilee Justice is inspiring: “We envision an America where the institutional injustices concerning Land, Race and Money, that are rooted in a history of extraction and exploitation, both spiritually and materially transform toward justice, equity and repair. It will require the redistribution of resources, the equal sharing of knowledge and information, cross-racial and personal healing based on a worldview of interdependence and the active acknowledgement of the Earth and soil upon which all life depends as sacred.” Read about Lotus Foods HERE and Jubilee Justice HERE.

As a B Corporation, AMS is inspired and encouraged by these exceptional B Corporations. We hope our readers enjoy learning about the many dedicated B Corporations that are keeping AMS company in this changing world.

On March 29 the Los Angeles Business Journal hosted an important industry event – their annual Diversity, Equity + Inclusion Symposium & Awards at the JW Marriott in Los Angeles. We are very pleased to announce that AMS’ CEO, Jay Catlin, was among the business leaders nominated as finalists at the event for the DE&I CEO of the Year Award.

During the morning session three panel discussions took place with experts covering topics that unfolded and explained some of what has been learned from experience with regard to diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. The topics were: “The Cost of Inequity;” “Building a Diverse & Multi-Generational Workforce;” and “What’s Really Working: Journey to Success.” The LABJ DE&I awards panels were exceptionally informative and the awards luncheon followed.

The entire event was live, featuring industry experts discussing ways to advance diversity in the workplace and enable equity and inclusion. At the luncheon business leaders were championed for their ongoing efforts to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. We are very pleased and proud that Jay and AMS Fulfillment were honored for the longstanding commitment of the company to a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce.

Jay gave the following statement on his nomination as a finalist: “It is both humbling and an honor to have been nominated for the LA Business Journal’s DE&I 2023 CEO of the Year award. I, along with the other finalists, am an advocate of DE&I.  Since AMS was founded over 20 years ago, diversity, equity, and inclusion have been integral to our success. Although I didn’t win the award, I will continue to ensure that AMS is one of the best companies to work for – and DE&I is at the heart of AMS.”

AMS Fulfillment has cherished diversity ever since its establishment – inclusive of all, dealing fairly and equally with all. Long before AMS became a B Corporation, the company was showing employees the utmost respect, fairness and equity. AMS actively recruits employees from underserved communities, and the AMS workforce mirrors the community. Not only does AMS provide a safe work environment, the company is committed to excellent benefits including free college-level educational classes and training for advancement.

AMS Fulfillment knows that diverse organizations bring a wider range of ideas and experiences to problem-solving, helping companies connect with a broader range of audiences in a culturally competent way. As a B Corporation, AMS is committed to putting purpose over profit. B Corporations are a global movement, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as care for the community and the environment.

Congratulations Jay Catlin for a well-deserved honor. We are proud of how you have guided AMS and thankful for the CEOs before you. AMS is actually Being the change we wish to see in the world. Congratulations to our Finalist!!

We have just entered the month of April! It’s an exciting time for all who are ready for the end of Winter and the return/rebirth of Springtime. But April has even more significance to environmentalists and B Corporations. Not only is Earth Day in April, on the 22nd, but the entire month of April is Earth Month – a time when we give our attention to issues that affect us and Mother Nature.

A quick visit to Google, utilizing the search term “man-made environmental disasters” gives one a sad look at what has been done to the earth in the process of doing business and making a ‘profit’. At Treehugger.com we see a list of ten disasters, most of which have occurred from the 1970s to today. It’s our reality, as citizens of this earth, and one which this commemorative month seeks to change for the better.

Earth Month started as a response to a January 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California, which caused major destruction to the environment. In response to that disaster, Earth Month was first celebrated on April 4, 1970.

According to National Today, “ …Earth Month became a global event after 200 million participants from 141 countries joined the initiative. By 1992, the United Nations became actively involved too, which further enhanced the organization’s visibility. Today, Earth Month is widely recognized as one of the most important month-long observances in the world.”

AMS is a B Corporation, and as such, our focus is on doing our best… doing whatever we can to reduce our negative impact on the environment. Purpose before profit is the goal of a B Corporation, and at AMS we seek to Be the Change in a number of ways, very much including our focus on environmental impact. There is a dedicated “Green Team” at AMS made up of employees who meet monthly to discuss improvements that can be made to reduce the environmental impact of our warehouses and offices.

The AMS Green Team is very much engaged in purchasing and using recyclable or biodegradable products. Our Purchasing Department has created a catalog, for use by our clients, of recommended products. As with any fulfillment company, AMS must deal with plastics and packaging – things that need recycling in order to not end up in a landfill. We have found ways to bundle and donate plastic stretch film for recycling into usable products. And we do many other things with regard to packaging, lighting, equipment… anything we can do to reduce our negative impact on the environment.

April is an important month for us in our environmental focus, and AMS employees support the company’s efforts by volunteering for Earth Day events. This year there are four events AMS employees will be participating in as follows:

*AMS Towsley Trail Hike (Cleanup): Start time 10:00 a.m.
24335 The Old Road, Newhall, CA 91321
Register by contacting  [email protected].

*Quartz Hill Open Space Joshua Tree Cleanup: Start time 10:00 a.m.
Quartz Hill Reservoir, 40th St W and M-6, just past Equestrian Way
Register by contacting [email protected]

*Middle Creek Wildlife Cleanup: Start Time 11:00am.
100 Museum Rd, Stevens, PA, 17578, USA 
Register by contacting  [email protected]

*Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity
ReStore Pack-A-Truck: Start Time 9:00am
321 A Independence Blvd, Dover, DE 19904 
More information and Registration at their Website:
http://centraldelawarehabitat.org/restore/  

The theme for Earth Day 2023 is Invest In Our Planet, continuing on the same theme from 2022. It’s a call for governments, businesses and individuals to invest in a better future for the planet. Kathleen Rogers, President of Earthday.org offered these encouraging words:

“In 2023 we must come together again in partnership for the planet. Businesses, governments, and civil society are equally responsible for taking action against the climate crisis and lighting the spark to accelerate change towards a green, prosperous, and equitable future. We must join together in our fight for the green revolution, and for the health of future generations. The time is now to Invest In Our Planet.”

At AMS Fulfillment we do invest in our planet every day, and we are pleased and proud to be a B Corporation, being the change that we all wish to see in the world. Later this month we will feature the work of our Green Team volunteers on Earth Day! We encourage readers and everyone to do their part in honoring Mother Earth. Have a Happy Earth Month – Volunteer!!

As we were preparing to write an April Fools Day blog, an urgent message, aka “barkisis”, came in from AMS Executive Olivia. Olivia is very well-known in the AMS warehouse as a relatively nosey, opinionated, regal “good looker”. She is an executive, after all, so we’re accustomed to paying attention to her and doing as she says… “Yes ma’am,” and things like that. “We’ll get to it right away ma’am.”

Olivia, speaking through a human barklish translator named Marco, expressed her concerns about herself and her family members being harmed by April Fools jokes. “Last year someone dropped milk duds outside the bathroom door on the floor as some kind of April Fools joke and thank heaven I have a good nose. I know enough to avoid chocolate! Who did that??? That was NOT funny!”

We apologized to Olivia and promised her the floor. No more milk duds or any other item that might be dangerous to her or her kin. “We’re sorry… we will keep you in mind when we’re doing April Fools jokes… promise.” Olivia turned tail and walked away followed by Marco. She actually turned for a moment and did a symbolic leg lift, which we understand to be akin to the human middle finger.

Then she began again… barklish started pouring out. “Why don’t you people do blogs about Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month or National Pet First Aid Awareness Month? What about National Heartworm Awareness Month or Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month? You don’t even celebrate Active Dog Month!! I’m beginning to think you people are lame!” Olivia really chewed us out.

She then walked toward the back of the warehouse to commiserate some more with her pal Marco. Marco is the human who had spotted the milk duds (he mistook them for poop and got really grossed out)! We followed and tried to keep out of the way as she stopped for head scratches and pets from her friends. It became very apparent that Olivia has some power at AMS – she is truly at top dog status among the executives, and we were a little worried. We’d better do a good blog!!

Marco speaks fluent barklish and has a long-term snuggle agreement with Olivia. We waited in the background until Olivia left with the humans she allows to love and care for her. Then we approached to find out what kind of blog Olivia wants us to do for April Fools Day. Marco said, one of her AMS compatriots contacted her via Zoom – it was Chewy. Chewy has allowed AMS’ marketing person named Sarah, in Las Vegas, to adopt him. Chewy is very close with Olivia and he wants us to tell a heartbreaking story with a beautiful ending, which is definitely OK with us!! Good stories are good stories!

Chewy came to Sarah from a place called Vegas Shepherd Rescue. According to Marco, Chewy gave a statement in barklish which has been translated into English. Here’s Chewy’s statement:  “It started out ruff for me.  As a pup, I was in an abusive home and was always scared. I escaped and was rescued by Vegas Shepherd Rescue.  After decompressing, I found my furever home.  It wasn’t easy for me – I was so frightened I didn’t even want to go for a car ride!  My new family was patient.  They even brought in a trainer for themselves!  It was fun to watch them learn how to be good dog owners! I never thought life would be so good for me! I still get startled when people scream and loud noises, but I know I won’t be hurt and that I am loved.”  

Wow!! That’s definitely a painful story with a beautiful outcome! Perfect for a blog… but what do we do about April Fools? This Chewy story is no joke… it’s serious stuff. Quite a miracle – good things do happen.

So, we do need to write a blog… and besides… we have to do what Olivia said, with her being an executive and all. A boss is a boss is a boss. Well, how about if we just say Happy April Fools Day – don’t do any jokes that might be harmful to pets – have a heart for all animals, see what joy they bring… and have fun!!

Oh yeah… never mention a relationship with cats in front of Olivia – fair warning!! Do not do it!!!

APRIL FOOLS!!!

In our February Green Team Report we focused on plastic waste and the process of recycling plastic waste. We described a recent recycling solution that the AMS Green Team found to help with the plastic waste generated by the fulfillment process. On average, each facility at AMS receives 60-80 stretch wrapped pallets a day, and with 5 facilities, that is A LOT of plastic waste. The Green Team located a company to pick up and properly recycle the bailed plastic stretch film once we reach 10K lbs. AMS placed 92 waste bins in all our warehouse facilities so our Teams can properly dispose of this waste, which will be collected, bailed, weighed, and stored.

Item 1 – Plastics

In the March report, we see the following with regard to plastics recycling: “AMS has discovered that one plastic bail weighs on average 250 lbs.  We need about 39 plastic bails to meet our 10K goal to be recycled, and we get money back! Since our plastic waste training on 3/10, the facility that produces the most plastic waste has accumulated 6 plastic film bails.” That’s excellent news – WTG AMS!!

Item 2 – E-book on sustainable packaging

The second item on the agenda was a new, comprehensive, and excellent e-book on sustainable packaging. It contains examples and recommendations on void fill and dunnage, sustainable mailers tape and labels, and sustainable boxes. This catalog allows AMS clients to examine what is currently available and make informed choices if they wish to move toward sustainable packaging. AMS anticipates that many clients will benefit from this catalog and choose best options for themselves and the environment.

Item 3 – Disposal of plastic hangars

The third item is another problem the Green Team has picked up on and done something about. The report says that on the last Green Team walk through the warehouses, on March 15^th, they saw that plastic hangars were being thrown away – to end up in a landfill. They investigated and contacted the client, asking the client to donate, reuse or recycle their plastic hangars, which the client agreed to do.

Item 4 – AMS will be carbon neutral soon

The fourth item on the agenda is about the company’s efforts toward becoming carbon neutral. The report states, “AMS’ journey to being carbon neutral is only a few months away. As of today, our West Coast facilities have officially reported all scope 1 and 2 inventories. We have an estimate of our CO2 emissions and are pleased with the current results! Once we have the East Coast scope 1 and 2 inventories reported, we can officially submit and verify our report to offset our carbon footprint with carbon credits, making AMS carbon neutral. From there, we develop plans to reduce our CO2 emissions.

Item 5 – Great Global Cleanup!

The final item on the agenda is some fun good news. AMS employees, friends and families will be participating in Earth Day, April 22^nd, with the Great Global Cleanup! Readers can learn about it HERE.

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Thank you to Samantha Hicks, Corporate Culture and Organizational Development BP, for the March 2023 Green Team Report. We’ll definitely have some Earth Day reporting to do in April!

Thank you for your exemplary performance during the month of February: MARY ANNE T., VICTOR L., RUBEN R., LARRY M., HENRY D., ANDREW C., LORI F., and LEA O.

In the fulfillment industry, employees directly serve the company’s clients, making their efforts vital to the growth and success of the business. At AMS Fulfillment we appreciate and value our employees, and we respect and invest in them.

All Winners will receive an Employee of the Month Certificate, T-Shirt, and Quarterly Celebration Lunch! 

** ** **

MARY ANNE T., Staff Accountant (11/30/2020)
HQ Office- Valencia, CA

I would like to nominate Mary Anne for Employee of the Month because she has consistently taken on more responsibility over the last few months, is proactive in dealing with issues before they escalate, and always volunteers to help with special projects within the department. All of that makes her a valuable member of our team, but my favorite part is that she always does it with a smile and a great attitude.  It’s a pleasure working with her!

VICTOR L., Operations Associate II (05/26/2020)
HQ- WH Valencia, CA

My choice is Victor aka “Driver” for February Employee of the Month. He is always doing a great job at helping us transfer product back and forth and does it with a great attitude. Thank you Victor!!

RUBEN R., Inventory Receiving Lead I (12/20/2007)
LIV- Valencia, CA

Ruben is my nominee for February Employee of the Month. He is a dedicated, hardworking employee that is the ultimate team player. Ruben always has his projects finished on time and is currently receiving for AMS’ biggest client at three different warehouses. Ruben is doing an outstanding job. He is a true asset, and he is a pleasure to work with.  Keep up the GREAT WORK RUBEN!!!”

LARRY M., Inventory Receiving Specialist I (09/13/2022)
WIT- Valencia, CA

Larry is a great asset to our inventory team, and he deserves the nomination for Employee of the Month for February. Larry helps wherever he’s needed and a pleasure to work with. He has had another nomination that “seconds that motion”! We appreciate him!

HENRY D., Operations Supervisor I (09/13/2021)
WIL-Valencia, CA

Henry is my choice for Employee of the Month this month. He has really grown in his position as an Operation Supervisor and manages multiple accounts successfully. He is a very hard worker, willing to help his peers in any way needed and help his co-workers. He is dedicated to his clients and his employees. He handles pressure very calmly and makes the best out of worse scenarios. It is a pleasure working with Henry.

ANDREW C., Developer I (01/28/2008)
New Holland, PA

We are nominating Andrew for February Employee of the Month because he is a huge asset to our department and is incredibly deserving of this recognition. He is always there to lend a hand and is not afraid to dive into any problem. He is insightful, upbeat and a great team member to have. Despite his working a lot of overtime to handle issues with our shipping software application, he has always made himself available for questions or assistance in other areas, and always with a great attitude. He consistently demonstrates exceptional skills and knowledge and makes a tremendous impact on our systems. His positive attitude and excellent communication skills make Andrew a pleasure to work with. Andrew truly embodies the qualities of an outstanding employee and deserves to be recognized for his hard work and dedication.

LORI F., Billing Specialist I (06/18/2001)
New Castle, DE

Lori holds it all together for us here at AMS New Castle and she is our nomination for Employee of the Month. We can go to her for any of our office supply needs, office furniture, packing and shipping material and so much more. She designs and creates informational flyers and posters, as well as any signage we need for our warehouse. Lori also has accounting responsibilities she keeps up with on a regular basis. From your favorite writing tools to monitor risers; anything we need to keep the job going Lori will procure it for us, and she does it with a smile.

LEA O., Exact Staff Newark (09/22/2022)
Newark, DE

We are nominating Lea for Employee of the Month for February. She has been with us since September, and she is a model employee. Lea is here every day and always on time. She always has a positive attitude and is always trying to make everyone around her feel the same. She will stay late whenever she is needed and is always making sure her work is completed for the day. Lea will help wherever she is needed, and she is an important part of our team. So, thank you Lea for all your hard work!!”

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To all of our Honorees, please know that whatever role you play, you are the reason for our success. Congratulations and Thank You!

KEEP DOING YOU!

March 21^st has been designated as a day to recognize the long and ongoing struggle to eliminate racial discrimination in the world, in our countries, in our workplaces and in our communities. We are all aware of the growth that has been experienced in our culture, and we appreciate and celebrate all progress. We also are aware that there are areas where racism is unfortunately woven and hidden within the structures, which we would call systemic racism. Systemic racism is real and it takes effort to bring an end to it.

The International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination is established by the UN and observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in 1960. Apartheid existed well within our lifetimes, and it took effort, organizing, and focused action to finally bring it to an end.

Don’t remember apartheid? Wikipedia says, “It was a system of social stratification wherein white citizens had the highest status, followed by Indians and Coloureds, then black Africans.” The whole world had to get involved to change this, and they did. Human beings brought an end to apartheid. The point is, things change, and we are the ones who change things.

From the UN website we see the following:

“The United Nations General Assembly reiterates that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and have the potential to contribute constructively to the development and well-being of their societies. In its most recent resolution, the General Assembly also emphasized that any doctrine of racial superiority is scientifically false, morally condemnable, socially unjust and dangerous and must be rejected, together with theories that attempt to determine the existence of separate human races.” Read the full article HERE.

It has been 75 years since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was adopted. We encourage you to read this beautiful document HERE. The UDHR states that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms, without distinction of any kind, such as race and color, among others.

Racism in the US

As we well know, the US has come through a long and painful journey with regard to racism and discrimination. Although racism comes in many colors, the primary battle in the US has been to eliminate racism directed against the descendants of enslaved African men, women and children. We can look back at battles and victories including civil rights and affirmative action.

As mentioned earlier, we are still challenged with systemic racism which is woven into systems such as judicial, educational, healthcare, prison, policing and so forth. It’s the sad truth, but things are always changing for the better, because we do so. With awareness comes the ability and insight to make effective changes. On this commemoration day we can look both at the progress and the work that is yet to be done.

Changes in the Corporate World

In the corporate world, present day efforts to eliminate racial discrimination in the workplace, in hiring and promotion, fall under a set of policies and initiatives called DE&I – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. DE&I initiatives are actions taken by a corporation to prioritize building a diverse workforce, and creating a work environment that is equitable and inclusive for everyone.

AMS Fulfillment is a B Corporation that practices DE&I, and has done so for some time. We have seen that prospective employees are attracted to our company when they see us seeking to establish a workforce made up of diverse backgrounds, with inclusion programs and leaders that support underrepresented groups, especially those that may have faced exclusion and discrimination in other workplaces. DE&I initiatives also serve to keep turnover rates low at AMS and they improve employee morale.

Diversity, equity and inclusion is a mindset that encourages a sense of belonging and improved workplace relationships. Employees are encouraged to embrace differences and deal respectfully with conflict. We also encourage our teams to trust each other and know that they can comfortably address concerns with supervisors. Managers are encouraged to be compassionate and have empathy in resolving disputes. They are asked to focus on the needs of their team.

We asked AMS Senior Program Administrator, Samantha Hicks, for her thoughts on how DE&I is utilized at the company: “We ensure all benefits are provided to all employees. All employees have access to internal job openings. We enroll employees of all backgrounds to all our company trainings, which range from trainings on empathy and cultural differences to college course training. AMS has a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, including bullying. Our recruitment team targets under-represented communities, and HR takes steps to ensure all disciplinary action and/or promotions are not due to color or culture, but strictly upon performance, ensuring all employees are treated fairly and have the same opportunity for growth.”

BE the Change

At AMS we seek to Be the Change. Yes, there is change that the world longs to see. We are grateful for all B Corporations who make a legal commitment to change the system… the way of doing things for profit alone. Unthinkable things have been done for the purpose of increasing profit. ‘Profit above all’ is a business structure that is changing. As history tells us, we human beings are continuously seeking to make human rights a reality. It is good to look at history and see what we did right

On this important day, we can pause to remember what the Member Countries of the UN wrote – the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – some 75 years ago. The changes we are making to systems are one of the many outcomes of this outstanding Declaration.

And we can also gratefully remember the 69 peaceful demonstrators in Sharpeville, South Africa, whose death brought change to that inhumane system.

In our modern culture St. Patrick’s Day means fun, parades, some alcoholic beverages, the color green, Irish food, four leaf clovers, leprechauns, rainbows, pots of gold and maybe some dancing – and anything else Irish we can think of!! It’s a day to have fun with appreciation of the Irish culture.

Google gives us this instruction: The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, and celebrates the heritage and culture of the Irish in general. Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, céilithe, and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks. (Céilithe means dance party.)

What’s going on at AMS?

At AMS Fulfillment we’re having some fun. If you wear green on the 16^th (AMS West) and the 17^th (AMS East) you’ll get a raffle ticket and maybe win a trip to the prize room! In honor of the leprechaun and the pot of gold, there will be a Gold Coin Challenge. Chocolate gold coins will be placed around the facilities and if you find the lucky number on a coin you’ll get a trip to the prize room! A third trip to the prize room can be won by guessing how many marshmallows are in the Lucky Charms Counting Jar. The closest guess gets the trip to the prize room!

There must be some nice stuff in the prize room!

AND, on that day, 16^th or 17^th, there will be an Irish Themed Potluck special treat sponsored by the AMS volunteer committee. All staff are encouraged to bring an Irish themed dish.

What does St. Patrick’s Day commemorate?

We found some very interesting historical information! Despite being the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick was actually born in Britain. His parents were both Roman citizens and his mother gave birth to him in 385AD.

Slavery was what brought St. Patrick to Ireland. According to this historical account, when he was a teenager St. Patrick was kidnapped by a pirate raiding party and sold into slavery in Ireland. For many years he was enslaved, looking after sheep, until he was able to escape to a monastery in England. While at the monastery he became a Christian and a Bishop. He then returned to Ireland as a missionary. The story tells that St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. The point being that there are three leaves making up the same whole.

You can enjoy the full story HERE, and we’ll quote one more paragraph: The tradition of drinking to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is said to have started with the saint himself, who announced that everybody should have ‘a drop of the hard stuff’ after an innkeeper was less than forthcoming with a bottle of whiskey. While there was a brief period where drinking on St. Patrick’s Day was banned, the tradition has since returned in full force.

Here are some more enjoyable facts!

* Irish Americans wore green as a reminder that they were nationalists first and foremost.
* The mythical belief that wearing green would make you invisible to leprechauns originated in America.
* People began pinching those who didn’t wear green as a reminder that leprechauns would sneak up and pinch green-abstainers.
* The Irish eat bacon and cabbage, not corned beef and cabbage.
* St. Patrick probably didn’t drive all the snakes out of Ireland.
* Scientists have said that it’s highly unlikely that there were any snakes to begin with and there are no fossils to disprove the theory.
* St. Patrick’s given name was Maewyn Succat. When he became a priest he adopted the name – Patrick.
* The day a saint passes away is considered a holy day to celebrate their ascension into heaven. St. Patrick passed away on March 17.
* ‘Drowning the shamrock’ (drinking to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day) is said to have started with St. Patrick!
* It is offensive to wear orange on St. Patrick Day. Orange has been identified with unionists or loyalists, people who are loyal to the British crown.
* There is a story that St. Patrick left his ashwood walking stick in the ground while he went off to try and convert the villagers of a small town to Christianity. The effort took so long that the walking stick became an ash tree. 

For how long has this holiday been a holiday?

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17, the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years.

So there we have it! A 1,000 year old celebration! Thumb’s up to the Irish! Let’s enjoy this historical legacy and give some due respect to the wearing of the GREEN!