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The longest night and shortest day have been observed and commemorated for a long, long time. Perhaps as long as Life has been on earth the longest night and shortest day have been observed.

Winter solstice marks the return of the sun, and perhaps for that reason there is feasting, and gifts are given. Go online and google winter solstice… this is what comes up:

“The winter solstice, also called the hibernal solstice, occurs when either of Earth’s poles reaches its maximum tilt away from the Sun. This happens twice yearly, once in each hemisphere.”

Date: Saturday, December 21, 2024

Also called: Midwinter; the Shortest Day; the Longest Night

Celebrations: Feasting

Observed by: Various cultures

Related to: Winter festivals

Significance: Beginning of lengthening days and shortening nights

Time Magazine [LINK] covers the subject well:

“These annual changes in sunlight as the Earth revolves around the sun have been well known to humans for centuries. Monuments such as Stonehenge in England and the Torreon at Peru’s Machu Picchu were designed in part to align with solstices.”

Let’s talk about how the earth’s journey around the sun gives us seasons and reasons to celebrate.

What is the solstice?

In our science classes we learned that the earth travels around the sun at an angle. The earth’s axis is tilted either toward the sun or away from the sun and that means that when the Northern hemisphere is experiencing the longest night, the Southern hemisphere is enjoying the longest day. The Time Magazine article describes it as follows:

“The solstices mark the times during the year when the Earth is at its most extreme tilt toward or away from the sun. This means the hemispheres are getting very different amounts of sunlight—and days and nights are at their most unequal.

During the Northern Hemisphere’s winter solstice, the upper half of the Earth is tilted away from the sun, creating the shortest day and longest night of the year. The winter solstice falls between December 20 and 23.”

Solstices kick off summer and winter. Equinoxes mark the start of spring and autumn.

How do People Celebrate?

The Brittanica website [LINK] lists seven celebrations from around the world.

*Dong Zhi: Dong Zhi, the “arrival of winter,” is an important festival in China. It is a time for family to get together and celebrate the year they have had. Based on the traditional Chinese celestial calendar, the holiday generally falls between the 21st and 23rd of December. It is thought to have started as an end-of-harvest festival, with workers returning from the fields and enjoying the fruits of their labors with family. Special foods, such as tang yuan (glutinous rice balls), are enjoyed.

*St. Lucia’s Day: St. Lucia’s Day is a festival of lights celebrated in Scandinavia around the time of the winter solstice. Although it is now meant to honor St. Lucia, a Christian martyr, it has been incorporated with earlier Norse solstice traditions, such as lighting fires to ward off spirits during the longest night. Girls dress up in white gowns with red sashes and wear wreaths of candles on their heads in honor of St. Lucia.

*Midwinter: Midwinter in Antarctica gets its share of solstice celebration, thanks to the researchers staying there over the long, dangerously cold season. While those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are enjoying the most daylight hours, in the Southern Hemisphere they are celebrating Midwinter. Festivities include special meals, films, and sometimes even handmade gifts.

*Saturnalia: The ancient Roman festival of Saturnalia is perhaps the most closely linked with the modern celebration of Christmas. This festival happened around the time of the winter solstice and celebrated the end of the planting season. There were games and feasts and gift-giving for several days, and social order was inverted—slaves did not work and were briefly treated as equals.

*Inti Raymi: The Inti Raymi solstice celebration comes in June rather than December. But for Peru it is a winter solstice, and this Incan celebration is in honor of the Sun god. Originally celebrated by the Inca before the arrival of Spanish conquistadors, the festivities included feasts and sacrifices of animals. The Spaniards banned the holiday, but it was revived (with mock sacrifices instead of real ones) in the 20th century and is still celebrated today.

*Yalda: The Persian festival Yalda, or Shab-e Yalda is a celebration of the winter solstice in Iran that started in ancient times. It marks the last day of the Persian month of Azar. Yalda is viewed traditionally as the victory of light over dark, and the birthday of the sun god Mithra. Families celebrate together with special foods like nuts and pomegranates and some stay awake all night long to welcome the morning sun.

*Soyal: Soyal is the winter solstice celebration of the Hopi Indians of northern Arizona. Ceremonies and rituals include purification, dancing, and sometimes gift-giving. At the time of the solstice, Hopi welcome the kachinas, protective spirits from the mountains. Prayer sticks are crafted and used for various blessings and other rituals.

Winter then Spring

We human beings are so incredibly wealthy with regard to our cultures, our historical experiences, our capacity to learn and know and our shared love for life and each other. Happy Solstice to All – we are grateful for the return of the sun’s light – on December 21st early in the morning, 4:19 AM EST – SMILE!!! – the return begins.

There are a whole lot of celebrations in December and we’re going to uplift them all!! We have the Winter Solstice coming on December 21^st at 4:19 AM. Kwanzaa begins on December 26^th and lasts until January 1^st, 2025. Christmas Eve is the 24^th of December and Christmas Day is the 25^th. Hanukkah begins on the evening of December 25^th and lasts until January 2^nd, 2025. This is the season of gratitude and love of life, and we appreciate every cultural celebration!

We will learn about Kwanzaa in this writing, and after that we will cover Solstice, Christmas and Hanukkah.

What is Kwanza

When we asked Google “what is Kwanzaa” we got the following answer: “Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday that was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga. Karenga, an African American and Pan-African activist, created Kwanzaa in response to the Watts Rebellion in Los Angeles in 1965. He wanted to create a holiday to bring the African American community together and to encourage pride in their culture.”

That certainly is a beautiful reason to create an event. The Kwanzaa intention is to bring families and communities together. Within the days of celebration there is a lot of inspiration and wisdom.

The Watts Rebellion

The Watts rebellion took place in August of 1965 in the Los Angeles suburb of Watts and it lasted for six days. It was triggered by an arrest, and it involved thousands of Black youth fighting the police. It resulted in 34 deaths, more than 1,000 injuries, nearly 4,000 arrests, and property damage in the amount of millions of dollars.

According to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture [LINK], “The Watts Rebellion is considered a key turning point in the African American Civil Rights movement. It inspired similar uprisings in cities across the nation and helped shape public understanding of race relations in the United States. In response to the rebellion, California leaders built a new state college near the communities impacted by the rebellion.”

Dr. Karenga’s Creation

Dr. Karenga created Kwanzaa as a seven-day celebration with each day celebrating one of seven principles. The Smithsonian website describes Dr. Karenga’s creation as follows:

“Created in 1966 by Maulana Ron Karenga, Kwanzaa is an African American and Pan-African holiday that celebrates history, values, family, community and culture. The ideas and concepts of Kwanzaa are expressed in the Swahili language, one of the most widely spoken languages in Africa. The seven principles which form its core were drawn from communitarian values found throughout the African continent.”

The Seven Day Celebration

We will introduce the principles and then look into them more closely. From the Smithsonian: “These principles are: Umoja (Unity), Kujichagulia (Self-Determination), Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility), Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics), Nia (Purpose), Kuumba (Creativity), and Imani (Faith). Kwanzaa gets its name from the Swahili phrase, “matunda ya kwanza” and is rooted in first fruit celebrations which are found in cultures throughout Africa both in ancient and modern times.”

Before we go over the principles, here is a little more about the celebration in general:

“During the week of Kwanzaa, families and communities come together to share a feast, to honor the ancestors, affirm the bonds between them, and to celebrate African and African American culture. Each day they light a candle to highlight the principle of that day and to breathe meaning into the principles with various activities, such as reciting the sayings or writings of great black thinkers and writers, reciting original poetry, African drumming, and sharing a meal of African diaspora-inspired foods.

“The table is decorated with the essential symbols of Kwanzaa, such as the Kinara (Candle Holder), Mkeka (Mat), Muhindi (corn to represent the children), Mazao (fruit to represent the harvest), and Zawadi (gifts). One might also see the colors of the Pan-African flag, red (the struggle), black (the people), and green (the future), represented throughout the space and in the clothing worn by participants. These colors were first proclaimed to be the colors for all people of the African diaspora by Marcus Garvey.”

The Seven Principles

On each day of Kwanzaa, the celebrants light a candle for that day’s principle on their candleholder (Kinara).

*Umoja (Unity): To strive for and maintain unity in the family, community, nation, and race.

*Kujichagulia (Self-Determination): To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves.

*Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): To build and maintain our community together and make our community’s problems our problems and to solve them together.

*Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics): To build and maintain our own stores, shops and other businesses and to profit from them together.

*Nia (Purpose): To make our collective vocation the building and developing of our community in order to restore our people to their traditional greatness.

*Kuumba (Creativity): To do always as much as we can to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we inherited it.

*Imani (Faith): To believe with all our hearts in our people and the righteousness and victory of our struggle.

Appreciation

The Seven Principals are incredibly inspiring and beautiful. Kwanzaa is most definitely a creation of love. Happy Kwanzaa to all who are participating in this beautiful seven-day celebration of life and community. Enjoy!!!

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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to People and Planet before Profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.

As our readers likely know, AMS Fulfillment works with community organizations such as Desert Haven and First Step. These are organizations that develop, enhance, and promote the capabilities of persons with developmental disabilities and assist participants to develop marketable job skills and gain work stability and experience through specialized training at community-based work sites.

At AMS we hire people with developmental (dis)Abilities, and we provide every employee equality in wages, health coverage and benefits. AMS’ best practice of salary benchmarking for our payrates using ERI which compiles the most robust salary, cost of living, and executive compensation survey data available, with updated market data for more than 1,100 industry sectors. ERI collects salary survey data from internal surveys, third-party salary surveys, and public sources to calculate geographic salary differentials and assist with compensation planning. As readers can see, it is important to us to offer fair wages to all of our employees.

Disability Employment News

At AMS we follow the news regarding disability employment, and we are pleased to see some changes on the horizon. According to liveaction dot org, the rule allowing employers to pay people with disabilities below minimum wage could end soon. The report is as follows:

“The United States Labor Department is considering axing a rule which allows people with disabilities to be paid less than minimum wage — a first step towards more equality for one of the country’s most persecuted groups.

“Reuters reports said the current rule, which exempts employees with disabilities from being paid the $7.25 minimum, is no longer necessary. Originally, the exemption was allegedly necessary to ensure people with disabilities had job opportunities. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers have been allowed to apply for exemptions known as 14(c) certificates allowing them to pay their disabled employees less than minimum wage when “necessary to prevent the curtailment of opportunities for employment.”

“This has continued, despite the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, making this change long overdue.

“A report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that over 100,000 employees were being paid less than minimum wage as of 2019; half are paid less than $3.50 per hour, and about 10% are paid less than $1 an hour, which disability rights groups have rightly pointed out is exploitative.”

Changes to Come

The Reuters report [LINK] gives us not only more information, but a way to help affect change.

“The U.S. Department of Labor said the decades-old exemption from the standard minimum wage, currently $7.25 an hour, was no longer needed to meet its original goal of expanding job opportunities for people with disabilities.

“DOL in the rule proposed on Tuesday said that legal and policy developments including the adoption of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 had rendered the program unnecessary, and that it would stop issuing new certificates and phase out existing ones over the next three years.

“DOL will accept public comments on the proposal through Jan. 17, a few days before Democratic President Joe Biden leaves office and Republican President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in for a second term.”

We are very pleased to see these changes to come, and we look forward to the day when all individuals with disabilities are fairly compensated for their time and effort on the job.

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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to People and Planet before Profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.

We’re entering a season wherein the collective spirit of the people is uplifted. We call it the holiday season. The nights have been long. Very soon the shortest day of the year will pass by and the sensation of new life, and hope, and renewed spirit comes into our world through love, peace, socialization and gift giving.

In this writing we are going to recognize a wonderful day within the holiday season enjoyed by Buddhists – the uplifting into enlightenment. Bodhi Day is recognized as the day that Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment, becoming a Buddha.

The following information is from a website called Bodhi Day [LINK].

“The word bodhi is a Sanskrit and Pali word that means “awakening” or “enlightenment”. Buddhists believe that Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment by meditating under a Bodhi tree, or sacred fig tree, after giving up years of ascetic practices. The Bodhi Tree is located in Bodh Gaya, India, and is also known as the Mahabodhi Tree. 

“Bodhi Day is a time for Buddhists to renew their dedication to Buddhism and to reaffirm their commitment to enlightenment, compassion, and kindness.”

Bodhi Day History

The history of Bodhi Day is told on the National Today website as follows:

“Bodhi Day is observed to mark the moment that took place 2,500 years ago when Siddhartha Gautama achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha or ‘awakened one’. The story goes that, rejecting the luxurious lifestyle of a prince, Siddharta left the comforts of the palace at the age of 29 and went on a journey of deep introspection to seek meaning in life.

“He meditated in Bodh Gaya, a town in northeastern India, under a Peepal tree (a species of Banyan fig), now famously known as the Bodhi Tree, and resolved to continue meditating until he achieved ‘bodhi’ (‘enlightenment’). He attained bodhi at the age of 35, after 49 days of continuous meditation. He was now able to see how everyone and everything was connected, and therefore reached a state of enlightenment that would lead him to create the Four Noble Truths: Dukkha (unsatisfactoriness), Samudaya (arising), Nirodha (cessation), and Magga (path) in which the Eightfold Path is set out.

How Do People Celebrate?

Throughout the month there will be Bodhi tree plantings, and the planting ceremony usually will be accompanied by a tea ceremony. Also during the month people will burn incense and put up multi-colored lights.

On the day of December 8^th, Buddhists will meditate, study the universal truth or law (dharma) and chant sutras, which are Buddhist texts. It is very important to perform kind acts toward other beings.

December 8^th is the date of Bodhi Day in the Gregorian calendar. For the celebrants that follow the lunar calendar, January 7^th, 2025 is Bodhi Day. That is the case In China, South Korea and Vietnam. Bodhi Day is on December 8^th in Japan but it is not an official holiday. Only Buddhists, who make up about 34% of the country’s population, observe the day.

Celebrating the Holidays

To all who practice Buddhism, we wish you a wonderful Bodhi Day, with the deepest respect. May we all become enlightened to the reality that at Heart, we are One. To all of us, enjoying the season of giving, a new year, and the return of the light – happy holidays.

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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to People and Planet before Profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.

Every year we like to visit some of our American B Corporations to see what they’re offering to us as holiday gifts. The listing we have utilized in this writing is found every year at BCorporation.net. They always have wonderful holiday recommendations, so we picked out five very interesting offerings to pass along to our readers.

AMS Fulfillment is a B Corporation, and very glad to be in such good company. As a B Corp, AMS is focused on four stakeholders, i.e. the environment, our employees, the community and our clients. The businesses we will link readers to have similar commitments as you will see, and each one has chosen a specific product to offer. Before getting into the gifts, we wanted to ask Google… why should we shop with a B Corporation? Surprisingly we were given a very thorough answer!

Why Shop B Corps

“You should shop at B Corps because they are businesses verified to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability, meaning when you buy from them, you are supporting companies that prioritize positive impact on people and the planet beyond just profit, by actively working towards ethical practices like fair trade, employee wellbeing, and sustainable operations; essentially allowing you to use your purchasing power to drive positive change. 

“B Corps undergo a rigorous certification process to ensure they meet high standards across various areas like worker treatment, community involvement, environmental impact, and business practices. B Corps are required to publicly disclose information about their social and environmental performance, allowing consumers to make informed choices. By choosing B Corps, you are supporting businesses that actively work to solve societal and environmental issues through their operations. B Corps prioritize purpose alongside profit, meaning they consider the impact of their business decisions on stakeholders beyond just shareholders.”

Google’s answer to “why shop with B Corps” is a very good explanation of what AMS Fulfillment does – business with purpose alongside profit!! Below we present five businesses and gift ideas from a list of 25 available on the website!

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Our first visit is to a website called “Coradorables”. [LINK] We will quote from the B Corp website some information about the company.

Small Business, Women-Owned, Black-Owned, AAPI-Owned, Indigenous-Owned, Owned by a Person with a Disability

This heirloom-quality Hawaiian shirt called a Kalani Aloha shirt, features 100% cotton and upcycled coconut husk buttons. The design is inspired by the protea flower, which originates from South Africa and represents change and hope. Coradorables is a family-run brand made and designed in Honolulu. Purchases support locally owned Black, Indigenous, and People of Color businesses and local charities.

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The next B Corp is called Oolie [LINK] and the product they’re promoting is a gift bag with items for a newborn – they offer five choices. The creator of the business tells us she was focused upon improving her children’s sleep when she created her store. The following description is from the B Corp website.

Small Business, Women-Owned

Give something special to the new parents or newborn in your life. This gift package has a baby hat and bodysuit, baby blanket, and convertible bag made of medium-weight canvas. All items are 100% organic cotton that meets the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) and is free of dyes and chemicals. They’re also machine washable and designed for comfort, making things a bit easier for baby and family.

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Our third B Corp is called “United by Blue” [LINK]. They are promoting a carry-on duffle bag that is made of recycled plastics. The following descriptive text is from the B Corporation website.

Small Business

Perfect for weekends away, this sturdy and stylish duffle resists water, stains, and tears. It’s also as impactful as it is durable. The body of this 100% recycled bag is made from 20 plastic bottles, and the webbing is made from recycled nylon. United by Blue creates gear that helps to protect our planet through low-impact manufacturing. For every product sold, the B Corp removes one pound of trash from oceans and waterways.

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Our fourth B Corp is called “Here I Am” [LINK] and they have put together a lovely gift box called the Lavender and Roses Gift Box. The B Corp website describes them as follows:

Small Business, Women-Owned, Latinx-Owned

The bath bomb, candle, and lotion in this gift box are designed for deep relaxation — during the holidays or anytime. Each item is infused with organic lavender scents and enriched with rose blossom botanical oils to soothe the senses and hydrate skin. This box supports women-owned small businesses that champion non-toxic, sustainable practices while focusing on reducing waste and eliminating single-use plastic.

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As our final offering, we are looking at a company that makes bags called Sapahn [LINK]. The product they are promoting is very attractive, and the company has a focus we appreciate.

Small Business, Women-Owned

This versatile mini bag can be worn as a clutch, crossbody, or belt bag. It’s designed to fit the essentials with just the right amount of flair. All Sapahn bags are responsibly sourced, designed, and created by artisans around the world. This women-owned business centers craft, human rights, and fair wages to produce beautiful products that are made to last.

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We hope you enjoy looking into these businesses that strive to live up to B Corporation standards toward the environment, the community, the valued employees and of course their customers! We encourage a visit to the B Corporation website [LINK] where there are 25 B Corps promoting their holiday gifts.

During the month of November we talked about a number of commemorative days, but there is one we missed. It’s not a well-known event but it is deeply inspiring – November is National Hip Hop History Month, as declared by Congress in 2021.

Music is Culture

Back in November 2001, DJ Kool Herc and Rocky Bucano began petitioning for congress to recognize November as the month to celebrate Hip Hop culture. Congress did recognize it years later with Resolution 331, a bill co-sponsored by Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) and Congressman Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) and passed through the Senate under Chuck Schumer’s (D-NY) direction.

What is the importance of Hip Hop and why should its history be commemorated? Let’s look. We know that when the Trans-Atlantic slave trade took place, the men and women who were captured and enslaved lost their language and culture, their music and spiritual beliefs – their human identity. With these human rights destroyed, all that remained for hundreds of years was a ‘slave’ identity.

Looking into Black music we find an absolute wealth of musical styles, thoughts and feelings, rhythms and melodies. We have the Blues, Jazz, Rock & Roll, R&B, Reggae, and Hip-Hop. All of these musical styles came into the world as creations of a People with no inherited culture other than what was within the heart and soul. We are grateful for these gifts that so deeply impacted the American culture and generations of Americans.

The Uniqueness of Hip-Hop

As we know, Blues and R&B stir the emotions or feelings, and Hip Hop stirs the mind and speaks to the culture. From The Source [LINK] we read the following: “Hip hop, born in the Bronx in the late 1970s, has transcended its humble beginnings to become a global cultural force. While the genre has always been celebrated and revered, it wasn’t until recently that it gained official recognition through National Hip Hop Month. This November, we delve into the origin and importance of this cultural celebration.”

The article goes on to talk about the origin and impact of Hip-Hop as a means of communication.

“The roots of hip-hop as a cultural movement date back to the South Bronx in the early 1970s. A combination of turntablism, emceeing, breakdancing, and graffiti art gave birth to this new form of expression. Hip-hop rapidly spread across the boroughs of New York City and beyond, becoming a platform for marginalized communities to voice their experiences, challenges, and hopes.”

The article speaks about Hip-Hop as bringing about cultural preservation, empowerment and education, social and political commentary, and having an economic impact as well. What did Hip-Hop express that wasn’t contained in the previous musical expressions? The article explains it as follows:

“Hip-hop is a powerful tool for empowerment and education. It allows individuals to express themselves creatively, build self-confidence, and learn about social and political issues. National Hip Hop Month highlights the importance of hip-hop as an educational tool, inspiring the next generation to engage with this dynamic art form.”

The article goes on to speak about diversity and the political realities. “Hip-hop is a diverse and inclusive culture that brings people of all backgrounds together. National Hip Hop Month recognizes the contribution of artists from various racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, emphasizing the importance of diversity and unity.

“Hip hop has been a vehicle for addressing important social and political issues. From N.W.A.’s “F*** Tha Police” to Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright,” hip hop has been a platform for artists to speak out against injustice and inequality. National Hip Hop Month highlights the genre’s role as a social and political commentator.”

Speaking Out

When Hip-Hop was first created it was used as a means of speaking out against racism, prejudice in policing, economic challenges… and it was very effective. America had to realize the lingering damages of its past. We have come a long way since the 1970s and we’re grateful for that reality.

From the article we will conclude with this quote: “National Hip Hop Month is not just a celebration of music and dance; it’s a celebration of culture, diversity, empowerment, and expression. It recognizes the art form’s influence on society, from political activism to economic growth. As we celebrate National Hip Hop Month this November, let’s remember the pioneers, artists, and communities that have shaped this incredible cultural movement and continue influencing the world.”

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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to People and Planet before Profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.

Thank you for your exemplary performance during the month of September: JADA T., ROBERT T., BRIELLE C., HORTENCIA C., EDUARDO L., FRANK K., OSCAR C., and GABRIEL G.

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. Every month we see our employees working hard with such outstanding dedication and we are continually impressed by the results they produce!

Congratulations to this month’s winners! All Winners will receive an Employee of the Month Certificate, T-Shirt, and Quarterly Celebration Lunch!

JADA T., Operations Supervisor (11/01/2021) Boulden

I am pleased to nominate Jada for Employee of the Month for her exceptional performance and dedication over the past month. Jada has consistently gone above and beyond in her role, showing an outstanding level of commitment and teamwork! She has consistently exceeded expectations and has been very efficient as well. She consistently brings a positive attitude to the workplace and is a true team player, always willing to lend a helping hand to everyone. Her ability to collaborate and communicate effectively has been instrumental in the success of several projects here at AMS. Jada’s work ethic, dedication, and positive influence on the team make her the perfect candidate for Employee of the Month. – Anthony T.

ROBERT T., Inventory Receiving Manager (11/30/2020) Churchman’s

We would like to nominate Robert for our Churchman’s employee of the month. Robert is our inventory/receiving manager, which is a challenging enough position in any warehouse, but add it to clients that expect perfection, and Robert does his best to deliver! He is always coming up with some tool in Excel or some random function to help make everyone’s job easier and more efficient. Rob not only opened Churchman’s from day one by himself but he has continued to make it into the safe, process-driven, well-oiled machine it is today.  He is personable with the staff and always willing to take time to train someone or assist in whatever capacity necessary. We are very fortunate Rob has stepped into this position and continues to grace us with his presence and silly smile every day!! – Sarah M.

BRIELLE C., Jr. Order Waver (10/19/2020) CPM

Brielle has been with AMS since 2020 where she started working as an associate on the floor. Recently Brielle joined the CPM program and hasn’t stopped excelling since. She plays a major role in making sure all the orders get allocated in the most efficient manner possible. She has gone above and beyond in her role and continues to offer support to all clients on both coasts. Brielle is always offering to stay late and work weekends to make sure all needs are met. We as a whole, at CPM, thank you for your hard work and can’t wait to watch you grow! – Dallas U.

HORTENCIA C., Operations Associate II (12/05/2003) Headquarters WH

Hortencia is very dependable and eager to learn. In the past few weeks, under new leadership, she took the time to learn how to use the handheld/scanner and picked up the skill quickly. Now she can take on large orders with no issues and helps the b2b team get orders done faster. She took a challenge and overcame it to help the team and learn a new skill along the way. – Norma S.

EDUARDO L., Operations Associate II (07/05/2022) Livingston

Eduardo plays a big role in Livingston’s B2B department. Eduardo does just about everything. He picks and lifts the Diver, loads trucks, works the dock and B2B line for three big clients at AMS. Eduardo is great at multitasking and will take on any project given to him. He has great attendance and will stay until every project is complete Thank you, Eduardo, for all your hard work, commitment, and amazing work ethic!! We all APPRECIATE you here at LIV Eduardo! – Saul M.

FRANK K., Operations Lead (07/06/2020), New Holland

Frank started with us in July of 2020, working summers and coming in seasonally while still in high school. He then decided to return full-time after graduation and it’s lucky for us that he did! He worked very hard and earned the title of operations lead for two clients. Frank is quick-witted, always coming up with creative, effective ways to solve issues. His response times not only to daily orders but especially to priorities are impressive, often receiving special requests from his clients well into the day. Frank frequently surpasses expectations under tedious outlines continually meeting strict deadlines. Everyone who works alongside him says he is a pleasure to work with and I agree! He is always seen putting in tons of effort while maintaining a good attitude and, in return setting a great example for his team and peers. Thank you, Frank for all you do! We are so very proud of you and your accomplishments!!! – Jade B.

OSCAR C., Operations Lead I (10/14/2024) Williams

We would like to nominate Oscar for Employee of the Month for his hard work and dedication. Oscar started as a temp and was working as a data entry for the receiving team and he has now moved up to an Operations lead. Oscar is always willing to learn more about the company and the operations side. He is a fast learner. Oscar shows up to work with a positive attitude and is always willing to help others. He is always motivating the team with his great sense of humor, and we are grateful to have him a part as our team. – Cristy G.

GABRIEL G., Operations Associate II (09/19/2024) Witherspoon

Gabriel started with the agency and now is part of the company. He is an outstanding employee who comes to work every day ready to work. Gabriel does a phenomenal job with cleaning the lines and building boxes for each client. I am very proud to have him as part of my team. Thank you for all your hard work it does not go unnoticed. – Edith S.

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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!

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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to People and Planet before Profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.

We asked the question… “who created Black Friday” and Google came up with a whole lot of answers. We all know what Black Friday is… and Cyber Monday too – it’s when the holiday shopping season begins!! There are lots of ‘good deals’ and the shopping is intense, so how did this ‘good idea’ come to be? We’ll look around for some answers.

The Origin of the Term

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday is the following Monday. Some say that the origin of the ‘day’ was when the crowds swarmed Philadelphia stores prior to attending the Army-Navy football game on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This story says the Philadelphia police coined the term as they were overwhelmed by the crowds taking advantage of retailers’ reduced prices. This was in the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Others say that the ‘day’ came about on the day after Thanksgiving when retailers began to turn a profit and go from being in the ‘red’ to being in the ‘black’. According to the History channel [LINK], there is another origin of the term.

“The first recorded use of the term “Black Friday” was applied not to post-Thanksgiving holiday shopping but to financial crisis: specifically, the crash of the U.S. gold market on September 24, 1869. Two notoriously ruthless Wall Street financiers, Jay Gould and Jim Fisk, worked together to buy up as much as they could of the nation’s gold, hoping to drive the price sky-high and sell it for astonishing profits. On that Friday in September, the conspiracy finally unraveled, sending the stock market into free-fall and bankrupting everyone from Wall Street barons to farmers.”

According to the History website, the market crash in September of 1869 was the first use of the term. But the thing that brought it to life with regard to shopping and good deals after Thanksgiving, was the crowds in Philadelphia on the Friday prior to the Army-Navy football game. Apparently the ‘in the red’ and ‘in the black’ was made up to put a positive spin on the term. The following is from the History website once again:

“The most commonly repeated story behind the Thanksgiving shopping-related Black Friday tradition links it to retailers. As the story goes, after an entire year of operating at a loss (“in the red”) stores would supposedly earn a profit (“went into the black”) on the day after Thanksgiving, because holiday shoppers blew so much money on discounted merchandise. Though it’s true that retail companies used to record losses in red and profits in black when doing their accounting, this version of Black Friday’s origin is the officially sanctioned—but inaccurate—story behind the tradition.”

A Good Time to Shop!

Black Friday has blossomed into a four-day shopping spree, i.e. Small Business Saturday/Sunday and Cyber Monday. The excitement for the weekend is so great, that people head out after Thanksgiving dinner to get a super low price on a product they’ve been wanting to buy. Truthfully, it doesn’t matter that much how the weekend event began… it is a GOOD TIME to do some shopping!!

We asked Google how to prepare for Black Friday and we got an excellent answer: “To prepare for Black Friday, you should: plan your shopping budget in advance, research deals early, compare prices across stores, bookmark desired products, consider early bird sales, prioritize customer service, create contingency plans for potential issues, and utilize social media to stay informed about deals and promotions; for businesses, this means assessing your checkout process, offering free shipping, rewarding loyal customers with exclusive deals, and monitoring analytics to optimize your marketing strategy.”

On Monday, the 25^th of November we’ll be entering Black Friday Week… yes the ‘day’ has become a week. Black Friday has no negative connotations anymore – instead it’s simply a really fun shopping time when the chances are good shoppers will find a ‘deal’ or three. It’s time to enjoy some bargains: Ready, Set, Go!

We’ll Be Helping

AMS Fulfillment has been handling peak season for 20+ years, so we do know how to make it flow for our clients. We look forward to helping our clients have a very successful 2024 holiday season.

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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to People and Planet before Profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.

Thanksgiving is celebrated on November 28^th this year. We envision a day wherein everyone celebrates the harvest – a gift from our Mother Earth – to keep us well and fed through the winter to come.

We speak often about the growth and evolution of the American culture. We are realizing our shared humanity, we are rejecting fears and prejudices toward others, we are making amends regarding past wrongs committed, and we are seeking out and wanting to know the true history that brought us to where we are.

Human beings are realizing… the ‘other’ is my brother – we are all sparks from the same Sun.

Be Thankful for the Truth

Thanksgiving is a holiday we really love as for many of us it means family time. Beautiful memories are made at Thanksgiving – memories that last a lifetime. But lately there has been a realization that we haven’t been told the entire story. We’ve been told a story of how the holiday commemorates a gathering filled with shared gratitude for food and life. From a website called Native Hope [LINK] we learn about the Thanksgiving story.

“The dominant cultural and historical story has been told from the perspective of the European colonialists who landed near Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts in 1620. In this version of the Thanksgiving story, the holiday commemorates the peaceful, friendly meeting of English settlers and the Wampanoag tribe for three days of feasting and Thanksgiving in 1621.”

We can move down a few paragraphs and find a continuation of the story. “Most children are only taught this brief snapshot in American History, which leaves a frozen memory of peace and generosity. However, in a short time after these Thanksgiving events, circumstances and relationships between the European settlers and the Native American tribes drastically changed. Unfortunately, very few educators have the opportunity to teach students about the massacres of Native tribes like the Pequot which took place in the years that followed. They also do not mention that English settlers robbed Wampanoag graves and stole food from them to survive during their first years on this new continent.”

What an incredible time it must have been. Can we know the true story of how America came to be what it is, and still celebrate Thanksgiving? While we are enjoying a traditional meal with our loved ones, can we know the truth and still give thanks?

Thanksgiving and Native American

We did a Google search for Thanksgiving and Native American and came up with the following:

“When considering “Thanksgiving” and “Native American,” it’s important to understand that for many Native Americans, the holiday is viewed as a day of mourning rather than celebration, as it represents the beginning of colonization and the devastating impact it had on their people, despite the traditional narrative of a shared harvest feast between Pilgrims and Native Americans; many tribes, like the Wampanoag, see the holiday as a reminder of the land loss and displacement that followed the initial contact with European settlers.”

We ask again… is it possible to give thanks and also mourn the great loss experienced by the Native Americans? Yes it is possible. We can show respect for our fellow human beings – respect and gratitude.

Respect for All

On November 1^st we published a blog celebrating Native American Heritage Month [LINK]. The following quote answers our questions:

“Many times we have talked about our gratitude for the evolution of the human spirit. European colonization of North America brought much pain and loss to many Native Americans. We have realized the inhumanity of it, and we are working on making it right. Reparations were made to Native Americans after WW2, and the desire exists to see them fully restored. By dedicating the month of November to honor America’s Indigenous Peoples we move closer to restoration and respect.”

The AMS Culture

At AMS we will be celebrating Thanksgiving along with millions of Americans. We are thankful for our families and friends. We are thankful for the bountiful harvest that allows us to enjoy a shared meal. We are very thankful for the way in which our culture has evolved from the inhumanity of slavery, colonization, misogyny and racism to a realization of a better, higher way of being. We honor all Native American Peoples who have suffered, we mourn with them the lives lost, and we support all efforts toward their restoration.

We’ll close with another quote from the Native American Heritage blog:

“It is a great benefit to us to study the history and understand the experience of Indigenous Peoples, so to be an advocate for the full restoration of their culture, peace and prosperity. The Indigenous Peoples include the Native Americans, Native Hawaiians and Alaska Natives. The experiences of the many tribes and families is different and all of them have worked to regain and retain their true cultural wisdom. We thank them for sharing their wisdom and knowledge with us.”

We hope all of our employees, friends, families and readers have a very enjoyable Thanksgiving!

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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to People and Planet before Profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.

November 13^th is World Kindness Day and November 16^th is the International Day for Tolerance. We will examine what kindness is, what tolerance is, and ask if we need a “day” to commemorate these ways of being.

We would be very surprised, at AMS, if one of our employees were to report experiencing cruelty on the job. If any employee is having the experience of cruel treatment, we encourage the employee to speak to their manager, contact HR or our CEO, or report it to our confidential hotline. Kindness is a natural way of being and we expect it from all of our AMS family. We also will not tolerate intolerance.

Kindness is Natural

With that said, let’s see what Google does with World Kindness Day: “World Kindness Day will be celebrated around the world on November 13, 2024. First introduced in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, World Kindness Day offers an opportunity to highlight good deeds in the community and the common thread of kindness.”

It is a pleasant chore to look for the good deeds that have been done. We found some enjoyable content at the Random Acts of Kindness website [LINK].

“But, what if we started being intentional about not only noticing and absorbing them (acts of kindness) when they happen to us, but creating those moments for others? What if we made it a point to go slightly outside of our comfort zone at least once a day to make someone smile? To share a compliment with a co-worker or friend? To reach out to a family member we haven’t spoken to in a while? What if we stopped thinking about them as random acts of kindness and started thinking about them as intentional acts of kindness?

“There are things we do every single day with intention, yet we don’t even think about them. We wake up, take a shower, brush our teeth, get dressed, drive to work or school… all part of our invisible routine. What if we added a moment of kindness to our invisible routine? What if we woke up and as we turn the alarm off, we immediately send an uplifting text message to a friend? Or during the morning commute, what if we let that guy merge into traffic with a wave and a smile instead of feeling upset or slighted?”

We all know what kindness feels like and we love to give and receive it. But what about tolerance. How did that “Day” come about and what did the creators seek to achieve?

The “Day” for Tolerance

Here’s what Google gives us in a search for the definition of tolerance and the purpose of the International Day for Tolerance:

“DEFINITION: the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with. “the tolerance of corruption”

“PURPOSE: In order to generate public awareness, emphasize the dangers of intolerance and react with renewed commitment and action in support of tolerance promotion and education, the United Nations solemnly proclaimed 16 November the annual International Day for Tolerance.”

Certainly the “Day” wasn’t created to encourage us to tolerate corruption. In fact there are more than a few things we need not tolerate… cruelty for example, as previously mentioned. Let’s go to the UN and see what they intended with the encouragement of tolerance. This is a statement from the Secretary General Ban Ki-moon [LINK].

“Societies are ever more diverse – but intolerance is growing in many places.  Sectarian tensions can be found at the heart of many conflicts, with the rise of violent extremism, massive human rights violations, and cultural cleansing. And the biggest crisis of forced displacement since the Second World War has spawned hatred and xenophobia against refugees and others.

“Tolerance is much more than passively accepting the other.  It brings obligations to act, and must be taught, nurtured and defended. Tolerance requires investment by States in people, and in the fulfilment of their full potential through education, inclusion and opportunities. This means building societies founded on respect for human rights, where fear, distrust and marginalization are supplanted by pluralism, participation and respect for differences.”

Tolerate Our Differences

Engaging in Tolerance, as encouraged by the UN, is what we are asked to do when it comes to cultural differences, political differences, ethnic differences, racial differences, gender differences, and so on. The following language is from the UN proclamation:

“The idea of tolerance is deeply rooted in the fabric of the culture, heritage and traditions. The principles of peaceful and tolerant education also apply to educational content produced in conflict-affected areas. It is inarguably important that this material is free from inaccurate, biased, or discriminatory depictions of different groups in society and that students are taught the values of peace, responsible citizenship, equality, and tolerance in all circumstances. In conflict zones, peace education aids peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Attitudes promoting peace, tolerance, and non-violence range from a national to an international context or one that blurs the lines between the two.”

Perhaps the day will come when we Appreciate and learn from our differences. Let’s enjoy creating a few acts of kindness on the 13^th and on the 16^th let’s let go of the judgmental intolerance of differences, including those political differences that recently rocked our world.

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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to People and Planet before Profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.

Every year on November 11^th our thoughts go to the men and women who have served in an arm of the US Military. To put your life on the line is courageous, doing it on behalf of your country is even more so. We’ll begin with a big, warm, appreciative Thank You to all readers who are Vets. This is your day – we salute you.

How It Began

From the Military dot com [LINK] website, we offer the following:

“Veterans Day — originally called Armistice Day — began as an occasion to reflect upon the heroism of those who died in our country’s service. It falls on November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the armistice that ended World War I.”

“In 1954, the name of the holiday was changed from “Armistice Day” to “Veterans Day” in order to recognize veterans of all wars. We celebrate and honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. Veterans Day is a time for us to pay our respects to those who have served. For one day, we stand united in respect for you, our veterans.”

November 11^th honors Veterans of all of the branches of the US Military, those who gave their lives, and those who served and survived to return home: The Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force and Coast Guard are the armed forces of the United States. The Army National Guard and the Air National Guard are reserve components of their services and operate in part under state authority.

Ceremonies

There will be a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery with the laying of the wreath. Also there is a ceremony at the National World War II Memorial in D.C., a ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial, a ceremony at the California State Capitol for California’s veterans, and a ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in D.C.

Also at the Military website we read: “Some of the national ceremonies, such as the one held at Arlington National Cemetery, are often live-streamed, providing viewers the opportunity to witness the wreath-laying and other tributes. Additionally, many local communities, schools, and organizations use YouTube, Zoom or social media platforms to host virtual events like webinars, panel discussions with veterans, and online tributes that feature video montages, speeches, and concerts.”

What Does It Inspire?

As we think about veterans, and we appreciate them and admire their courage, what else comes to mind? Nowadays we are reminded of mental and physical health issues arising from their service and, surprisingly, homelessness. We are saddened by what we hear as it seems so very unfair. How could we let a soldier be homeless? We asked Google about homeless veterans and received the following information:

“Veterans are more likely to experience homelessness than the general population due to a number of factors, including:

“Mental health and substance use: Many veterans experience mental health disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use disorders, such as alcoholism or drug abuse. These disorders can be a coping mechanism for the pressures and traumas experienced during service. 

“Lack of transferable skills: Military training and occupations aren’t always transferable to civilian jobs, making it difficult for veterans to find employment after leaving the military. 

“Income inequality: Many veteran households spend a large portion of their income on housing. Female veterans are particularly vulnerable because they tend to have lower incomes and are less likely to own homes.” 

The article goes on to point toward a lack of support from family and society and other factors such as childhood trauma and government policy. The author does not explain what government policy could be a cause of homelessness.

Message to Landlords

When we ask about homelessness at the VA dot Gov website, we find a message for landlords [LINK]: “Landlords have a unique opportunity to give back to those who have served. Veterans have selflessly defended our nation in times of need — and landlords can make a positive impact by protecting these individuals from the risk of homelessness. Housing Veterans doesn’t just provide shelter, but can lead to life-changing health, social, and socioeconomic outcomes for them and their families. Furthermore, housing Veterans provides a mutually beneficial relationship; landlords will benefit from responsible, often long-term, renters, support from VA, and guaranteed payments that come through Housing Choice Vouchers or grantees offering short-term subsidies.”

Healthcare for Homeless Veterans

At the VA website we find the following question: “How do I get help if I’m homeless or at risk of becoming homeless?”

The VA offers some help: “We offer many programs and services that may help—including free health care and, in some cases, free limited dental care. We can also help you connect with resources in your community, like homeless shelters or faith-based organizations.”

For readers who want to help veterans in need, we would like to offer what help we could find. The National Call Center for homeless veterans is 877-424-3838, and the Veterans Crisis Line is found at this [LINK]. You don’t have to be enrolled in VA benefits to call or contact the crisis line.

We Thank You and We Care

To all of the veterans at AMS Fulfillment we say Thank You and we do care. On Veteran’s Day and every day if you or any member of your family needs help please contact HR and get connected with the free employee assistance program – it covers employees and their families who need mental health services.

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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to People and Planet before Profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.

We hear the term Movember, and we associate it with growing a moustache, but what is the commemoration for? We asked Google and got this answer:

“In the month of November, you may see more men donning mustaches than usual. It’s all part of an initiative called Movember, in support of men’s health. Movember is a charity helping raise money for various aspects of men’s health, including mental health and suicide prevention, testicular cancer, and prostate cancer. As part of the Movember movement, men across the globe grow mustaches to raise awareness and spark conversations about the cause.” 

Time to Grow a Moustache

There are a lot of really good people working at AMS and we care about their health. The intention of Movember is to encourage people to wear a moustache (Mo) in November and while doing so, look into the symptoms of prostate and testicular cancer, adopt a healthier lifestyle if needed, get tested if needed, and if depression is an issue, seek help. We want you well and strong and with us for a long time.

According to Wikipedia, the goal of Movember is to “Change the face of men’s health. By encouraging men (whom the charity refers to as “Mo Bros”) to get involved, Movember aims to increase early cancer detection, diagnosis and effective treatments, and ultimately reduce the number of preventable deaths. Besides annual check-ups, the Movember Foundation encourages men to be aware of family history of cancer and to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Using the moustache as the driving symbol of the movement, Movember focuses on the three key areas of prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention.”

Male Reproductive Cancers

We went to the Mayo Clinic website for some information on prostate cancer and here is the [LINK] to their information. We will give readers a brief quote and encourage a visit to the website. “Prostate cancer is cancer that occurs in the prostate. The prostate is a small walnut-shaped gland in males that produces the seminal fluid that nourishes and transports sperm. Prostate cancer that’s detected early — when it’s still confined to the prostate gland — has the best chance for successful treatment.”

The Mayo Clinic also gives beneficial information on testicular cancer and we encourage a visit to the website for information on the symptoms [LINK]. “Testicular cancer is highly treatable, even when it spreads to other parts of the body. Treatments depend on the type of testicular cancer that you have and how far it has spread. Common treatments include surgery and chemotherapy.”

The Movember Organization

From the Movember website we find out who started it all: “Movember is the only global charity focused solely on men’s health. The Foundation raises funds to deliver innovative, breakthrough research and support programs that enable men to live happier, healthier, and longer lives. Awareness and fundraising activities are run year-round by the Foundation, with the annual Movember campaign being globally recognized for its fun, disruptive approach to fundraising and getting men to take action for their health.

“During Movember, men are challenged to grow a moustache, and men and women can be physically active and move or host a fundraising event. Not only do these commitments raise vital funds, they also generate powerful and often life-changing conversations.”

Learning about the Movember organization is a real pleasure and we encourage a visit [LINK]. Under “Men’s Health” we find the following:

Men will die on average 4.5 years earlier than women and for reasons that are largely preventable, which means that it doesn’t have to be that way. Here’s five ways you can give yourself the best chance at living a healthy and long life.

# Spend time with people who make you feel good
# Talk more (be there for someone)
# Know the numbers (get a PSA test)
# Know what’s normal (do your self-checks)
# Move more (add more activity to your day)

Depression and Suicide Prevention

We have talked about prostate and testicular cancer, and we will conclude with some information on the prevention of depression and suicide. On the mental health page [LINK] we find information on what the Movember organization is doing.

“Globally, on average, one man dies by suicide every minute of every day. In the US, the rate of male suicide is alarmingly high: approximately 4 in 5 suicides are men. With the help of Movember, five community-based coalitions are working with either men and boys of color, or military service members, veterans, and their families, in rural and urban communities throughout the United States. This work involves connecting with men and boys in places where they spend time, through activities that they enjoy. Key to the initiative is helping men and boys cope with trauma and stress by strengthening social connections.”  

Our Message to Men

We hope you decide to look into the information on men’s reproductive cancers and make sure you are doing well. We also encourage learning how to self-check for cancer and if depression is an issue, call and get some help. If you work at AMS, call HR and get connected with the free employee assistance program – it covers employees and their families who need mental health services. Plus, AMS is bringing awareness to Mens Health by celebrating Movember as well. The following quote is from Samantha, ESG Program Manager: [EMAIL] “In support of our donation to the non-profit organization ‘Movember’, we are calling all Employee Mo Bros and Mo Sisters – to send me a pic of their mustache, which will be displayed on our TV screens and socials throughout the month of November.”

“’Movember’ makes a difference in mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. Our donation and your pictures contribute to and bring awareness to help save a father, a brother, a son, a friend, a partner, a man’s life.”

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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to People and Planet before Profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.