Community Stewardship is a Core Value at ASB
Community Stewardship is a Core Value at ASB
 |  | L-R, Wendy Testa, Sheri Fermoyle and Amanda Kvitek, Customer Service Representatives, shopped for the family adopted by the staff of American Solutions for Business. |
The corporate employees of American Solutions for Business of Glenwood, Minnesota are dedicated to supporting worthy causes throughout the community and beyond. To coordinate it’s fund-raising, ASB has formed a committee called American Stewardship Committee that’s made up of 10-12 benevolent volunteers who organize and plan the various fund-raising events throughout the year. “For a while, it seemed that the bulk of our efforts took place in December, a time when families are taxed to the maximum as far as time, money and stress,” said Faith Anderson, committee member. “So we took a look at our areas of focus and decided to spread the fund-raising efforts throughout the year.”
In November, for instance, through an effort they call Support the Troops, they requested names of friends and relatives serving in the military overseas and set up a collection point in each department to concentrate on gathering certain items to which servicemen and women overseas might not have access. When the collection was complete, ASB employees sent ten 25-pound boxes to specific addresses overseas.
Their most recent fund-raising effort took place in early December and brought in over $5,000 for Prevent Child Abuse Minnesota, an organization that has been working for more than 27 years to end child abuse and neglect in Minnesota. The organization offers direct and indirect child abuse prevention and neglect prevention programs and are a local chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America. The ASB staff thought of creative ways to fund that cause. A silent auction featured donated items, including two authentic Minnesota Vikings Adrian Peterson jerseys, pieces of artwork and certificates for hotel stays. The company donated a day off with pay to the silent auction, raising just over $100 for the cause. Pot luck meals were served, bake sales were held and a traditional “penny war” brought out a good natured competition between the departments.
“Community Stewardship is one of our core values here at American,” said Amy Lamb, Human Resources Team member. “We encourage participation and support in order to promote, develop and improve our communities. We’re following an excellent example, provided by Larry Zavadil, (founder and president) who is always giving back to the community.” Many of the company’s 550 sales associates now contribute to the various fund-raising efforts as well.
“Christmas in July” events raise money to support several families, during the holidays. The effort is coordinated through a local community organization that identifies families and individuals with needs and gathers suggestions for specific products and services. Volunteer shoppers purchase grocery, gas and phone cards, clothing, bedding, personal products and toys for the children. Then the gifts are delivered to the community entity along with wrapping paper, bows and gift receipts. “Adopting a family during the holidays has not only become a wonderful way to unite the American family, it’s our Christmas ‘gift’ to Larry,” said Lamb.
American Solutions for Business offers a wide range of business products and services including printing, advertising specialty products, office supplies, corporate apparel and e-commerce solutions. Founded by Larry Zavadil in 1981, American has been employee-owned since 2000 and has 556 sales associates and 356 staff people at the corporate offices and in remote locations. American Solutions for Business lists its current annual booked sales at $240 million.
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