News

The Lunar New Year begins in China on February 10th this year. We’re hearing the buzz… it’s the Year of the Dragon!! Of course we want to know what is predicted to happen in the Dragon year! Let’s find out about the celebrations and the Chinese Zodiac predictions!

The Lunar New Year, called the Spring Festival, is celebrated in many Asian countries. The celebration kicks off on February 10th this year and lasts for up to 16 days, with the first seven days considered a public holiday. The Lantern Festival is the peak of the season.

The following is from People magazine [LINK]: “Originating in multiple countries in east Asia, the holiday is filled with rich culture and tradition that centers around the hope for good fortune and prosperity. Each year, the exact date differs as it’s based on the cycle of the moon, though it usually falls between Jan. 20 and Feb. 21 on the Gregorian calendar. Each year also has a corresponding animal from the Chinese zodiac, based on ancient Chinese mythology, and 2024 marks the Year of the Dragon.”

The Lunar New Year Traditions

The first tradition is to thoroughly clean the house. This is done to drive away any bad luck from the previous year. Another preparation is to pay off any debts so to start the new year fresh. Families also might buy new clothes and put Spring Festival decorations on the doors and windows.

On the evening of the first day, people go to the tombs of their ancestors and sweep the tomb, then return home for a family reunion dinner. This dinner is the most important of the year and several generations will come together. From USA Today [LINK] we read the following: “In China, the foods served at these dinners vary from north to south. Northern Chinese cuisine tends to have dumplings and noodles; southern Chinese meals rely heavily on rice cakes. Traditionally, people give out red envelopes with money and light fireworks after dinner.”

The small red envelopes containing money are given to children and family members, friends and employees as well. The color red is associated with energy, happiness and good luck. There may also be fireworks. Here’s an interesting tidbit from USA Today.

“Traditionally fireworks are set off to mark the new year and ward off monsters. According to legend, the origin of the practice goes back to a story about a monster called Nian, who is believed to have been causing great harm to some villages. In response, the villagers are said to have set off explosions to scare off the monster. Since then, it has become a tradition for Chinese New Year.”

The Festival of Lanterns comes on the final day. All types of lanterns are lit throughout the streets and they fill the sky, making the night into colorful, beautiful light. The celebration reaches its peak with the Lantern Festival.

The Year of the Dragon

From China Highlights [LINK] we read: “Wood Dragon. The Chinese zodiac gives each year an animal sign. Chinese New Year 2024 is a Year of the Dragon, more specifically, Wood Dragon, starting from February 10th, 2024, and lasting until January 28th, 2025. Recent/upcoming years of the Dragon are 2024, 2012, 2000, and 1988.”

In answer to the question… was I born in a Dragon year? Years of the Dragon go back to 1988, 1976, 1964, and 1952. People born in Dragon years are said to possess courage, tenacity, intelligence, enthusiasm and confidence.

Once again from China Highlights, we read: “In Chinese culture, the Dragon holds a significant place as an auspicious and extraordinary creature, unparalleled in talent and excellence. It symbolizes power, nobility, honor, luck, and success. 2024 is forecasted to bring about opportunities, changes, and challenges. If you’re seeking a shift in your current lives, this year might offer a favorable chance.”

The animals of the Chinese zodiac have fixed elements and variable elements, and wood is the fixed element of this year’s Dragon. The wood element is said to add a layer of creativity, growth and compassion, and the ability to be persuasive and communicative.

According to China Highlights: “The Dragon is known for its ambition, courage, and enthusiasm, while the Wood element adds a layer of creativity, growth, and compassion. Together, they suggest a year and people characterized by dynamic growth, innovation, and the ability to inspire and lead others.”

Find out Your Sign in the Zodiac

We will link you to the China Embassy website for a chart that tells you which animal you are according to your birth year:

“The Chinese zodiac, or shengxiao, refers to the circle of 12 animals that measure the cycles of time. Signs or animals are determined by the lunar year in which you were born.

“Legend has it that a god beckoned all animals to bid him farewell before his departure from Earth. Only 12 of them, namely the rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig arrived, with each given a place of honor in a year based on the order of arrival.”

You can determine your animal sign by referring to the year you were born. There is also a listing of the attributes and personalities of each animal and some advice on which sign you might want to partner with. [Click HERE for the chart.]

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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation. It is our goal to put people and the planet before profit, and B the Change we all wish to see in the world.

We promised four stories of Black history during the month of February. Our first story was of the Gullah Geechee – a unique culture that has developed with some memory of home woven in. This week our story is going to be a painful and tragic look into what racism, envy, jealousy, and white supremacy caused to happen in Oklahoma. Looking back, we are very grateful that hearts and minds have awakened since that time.

Our first Google description is as follows: “On May 31 and June 1, 1921, mobs of white residents attacked Black residents, homes, and businesses, as well as cultural and public institutions in the Greenwood District of Tulsa, OK, an oil boom city. Greenwood was also known as “Black Wall Street,” one of the wealthiest Black communities in the United States.”

More from Google: “Although racial segregation was the norm in post-Civil War America, Black Wall Street turned the tables on the system, as budding Black entrepreneurs were able to offer goods and services to their own neighbors since many white-owned businesses wouldn’t serve Black communities or customers.”

A Wealthy Black Community

In 1921, the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma was a very prosperous Black community. From the Daily [LINK] we read the following: “This modern, majestic, sophisticated, and unapologetically black community boasted of banks, hotels, cafés, clothiers, movie theaters, and contemporary homes. Not to mention luxuries, such as indoor plumbing and a remarkable school system that superiorly educated black children. Undoubtedly, less fortunate white neighbors resented their upper-class lifestyle. As a result of a jealous desire to put progressive, high-achieving African-Americans in their place, a wave of domestic white terrorism caused black dispossession.”

As was the case with so much racial violence and lynching in the American South, a Black man was accused of attempting to rape a white woman in the elevator of the Drexel Building. Rather than investigate to see whether such a crime had occurred, there began a torrent of racial violence. Thirty-five city blocks were burned to the ground, at least 300 died and 800 were injured. All of this in defense of white female virtue.

Homes and Lives Lost in Violence

Continuing from the Daily, we see the following: “Accounts vary on what happened. Yet as a result of the Tulsa Tribune’s racially inflammatory report, black and white armed mobs arrived at the courthouse. Scuffles broke out, and shots were fired. Since the blacks were outnumbered, they headed back to Greenwood. But the enraged whites were not far behind, looting and burning businesses and homes along the way.” As we can see, according to the quote, the media is accused of inflaming the situation.

Estimates are that between nine and ten thousand people became homeless. According to the Library of Congress, “No insurance claims were honored for African Americans in the Greenwood District, and according to the Red Cross reporting, by July 1921, there were lawsuits filed by African Americans with claims over $4 million, which would be worth nearly $60 million today.” The article goes on to say that the Red Cross set up a hospital to care for the injured and it provided temporary tent housing with sides and floors of lumber.

“The Red Cross documented the violence in reports, which are available through the Tulsa Historical Society and Museum. The Association surveyed 1,765 families and found that 1,115 homes were burned and 314 homes were looted but not burned. Victims were relocated to a variety of areas, from Chicago to Houston, with approximately 300, mostly women and children, leaving to stay with relatives.

“In the preface of the 1921 report, Mr. Willows wrote: ‘The story of the tragedy enacted on the night of May 31st, 1921, and the morning of June 1st, 1921 has been told and retold, with all sorts of variations in the press of the country. Whatever people choose to call it a “race riot”; “massacre”; a “negro uprising;” or whatnot, the word has not yet been coined which can correctly describe the affair. This report attempts to picture the situation as representatives of the Red Cross found it, and to record the activities of the organization to bringing order out of chaos and administering relief to the innocents.’” Read the full article [HERE].

What We Can Learn

When we look into Black history, we see the sad reality of slavery and the international and domestic slave trade. We have the history as well of the Civil War, and the emancipation from slavery. Tragedies like the destruction of Black Wall Street are part of a decades-long story that includes a number of assaults on Black communities, and of course, we have seen many men killed by lynching.

Fear of the ‘other’ or the ‘unalike’ is found throughout human history. What better thing can we do now than learn about the human families and cultures until it dawns on us – we are all wonderful, unique human beings, far more alike than unalike. Today, the imbalance still exists in some of the judicial and prison systems and perhaps in other systems as well. Remnants of racism or discrimination in the structure are dismantled in the corporate world by JEDI and DE&I. As we can see, human beings have an inspiring capacity to change and evolve.

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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation. We work to put people before profit, and B the Change we wish to see in the world.

It’s coming up soon – Fat Tuesday – the Mardi Gras Party! There will be a parade, a whole lot of costumes, great food and a ton of fun taking place in New Orleans. What else is Mardi Gras? It is cultural and religious and interesting for all of us who enjoy learning about our culture – the who, the what and the why of human beings! The more we know about each other, the more we understand, appreciate and respect each other.

Let’s get into it. From Google we see that Mardi Gras 2024 falls on Tuesday, February 13, 2024. That’s because the date of Easter is tied to the moon (it’s always the first Sunday after the full moon that follows the spring equinox) and Mardi Gras is tied to Easter.

Mardi Gras and Easter

For the millions of people celebrating Easter, there is a Lenten season that precedes the three-day Easter celebration. The Lenten season is a 40 day season when the people fast and pray and give alms to the poor. It begins on Ash Wednesday, which is February 14th this year. The Mardi Gras celebrations take place on the Tuesday before fasting begins, which is the 13th.

Fat Tuesday is the final day of partying prior to the Lenten fast. It’s also called Shrove Tuesday, Pancake Tuesday and Carnival Tuesday depending on the location. On this day we’ll see the parades and parties and indulgence in food. The words ‘mardi gras’ actually is French for Fat Tuesday. So, in essence, we are going to talk about the party that comes before the period of fasting for people who practice the Christian religion, especially the Roman Catholic practices.

Mardi Gras History

We’re not going to go way back through the centuries. That is a long and interesting story and we will give readers the [LINK] to the full article. Here’s just a little taste: “The earliest reference to Mardi Gras “Carnival” appears in a 1781 report to the Spanish colonial governing body. That year, the Perseverance Benevolent & Mutual Aid Association was the first of hundreds of clubs and carnival organizations formed in New Orleans. By the late 1830s, New Orleans held street processions of maskers with carriages and horseback riders to celebrate Mardi Gras. Dazzling gaslight torches, or “flambeaux,” lit the way for the krewe’s members and lent each event an exciting air of romance and festivity.”

What to do at Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras is a big holiday in New Orleans, full of excitement. People who come to celebrate wear costumes or at least they dress in purple, green and gold, and they wear the long necklaces (beads) that are tossed to them from the celebrants on the floats. Mardi Gras is people having fun together: crazy costumes, lots of families, locals and visitors sitting on the ground, playing music, eating great food, watching the amazing parade performances. On Mardi Gras day, the majority of non-essential businesses are shut down because of the celebration.

What Google says: “The South unequivocally owns Mardi Gras. Between our over-the-top festivities in New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama, everyone knows that if you want to properly celebrate Fat Tuesday, it’s got to be in the South.”

Something unique to this celebration is the King Cake, which is a colorful pound cake, with gold, green and purple frosting, in which a little trinket is placed. Here’s a bit from Google: “The colors of the icing (and the royal colors of Mardi Gras) have a deeper meaning. Gold represents power, green is associated with faith, and purple illustrates justice.”

Who gets the slice of cake with the trinket? “The common denominator between all of these cakes is that they all have a small trinket or figurine — such as a bean, a coin, a nut, or a tiny baby figurine — hidden inside. Whoever finds the trinket in their slice of cake gets to be “king” for a day and is also said to have good luck.”

What Else? Mardi Gras Indians

We like to give our readers information they might not find elsewhere because there is much to learn when it comes to culture and identity. The more we learn, the more we appreciate everyone’s journey. In that spirit we’re going to offer a few paragraphs about the Mardi Gras Indians, and then offer a link to the full, and very interesting article.

“Mardi Gras is full of secrets, and the Mardi Gras Indians are as much a part of that secrecy as any other carnival organization. Their parade dates, times and routes are never published in advance, although they do tend to gather in the same areas every year.

“The Mardi Gras Indians are comprised, in large part, of the African-American communities of New Orleans’s inner city. While these Indians have paraded for well over a century, their parade is perhaps the least recognized Mardi Gras tradition.

“’Mardi Gras Indians–the parade most white people don’t see. The ceremonial procession is loose, the parade is not scheduled for a particular time or route…that is up to the Big Chief.” – Larry Bannock

“Traditional Mardi Gras organizations form a “krewe.” A krewe often names their parade after a particular Roman or Greek mythological hero or god. The ranking structure of a Mardi Gras Krewe is a parody of royalty: King, Queen, Dukes, Knights, and Captains, or some variation of that theme. Many of the more established krewes allow membership by invitation only.

“Few in the ghetto felt they could ever participate in the typical New Orleans parade. Historically, slavery and racism were at the root of this cultural separation. The black neighborhoods in New Orleans gradually developed their own style of celebrating Mardi Gras. Their krewes are named for imaginary Indian tribes according to the streets of their ward or gang.

“The Mardi Gras Indians named themselves after native Indians to pay them respect for their assistance in escaping the tyranny of slavery. It was often local Indians who accepted slaves into their society when they made a break for freedom. They have never forgotten this support.” [LINK] to the full article.

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We hope you have enjoyed this brief look into Mardi Gras. Be sure and tune in to the news on Tuesday the 13th to see the parade! There is much to learn about each other and learning history is always a good thing.

AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.

Every year, during the month of February, the American Heart Association steps forward to lead activities during American Heart Month. The focus of the American Heart Association this year is on the value of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training.

President Lyndon Johnson issued the first proclamation regarding American Heart Month sixty years ago, in 1964. But the American Heart Association is actually 100 years old this year. The organization is marking their 100 years of service by suggesting that our focus should be on CPR in order to give people the experience and training they need to respond to a cardiac emergency.

The American Heart Association conducted a survey [LINK] in the fall of 2023 regarding people’s familiarity with CPR. The survey showed the following:

“The survey, conducted in fall 2023, indicates that although 35% of respondents have the confidence to perform CPR when needed, an increase from 30% in 2021, only 39% of those surveyed are familiar with conventional CPR and only 23% with Hands-Only CPR. According to the American Heart Association, fewer than half of people suffering out-of-hospital cardiac arrest receive the immediate CPR they need before professional help arrives.”

The need for CPR training within a business such as AMS, with hundreds of employees, is evident, and AMS does provide CPR training. The American Heart Association, in its news article, suggests four ways to learn CPR with the fourth being training at the place of work. We definitely have that covered. In 2023, 35 AMS employees (east/west) were trained in first aid and CPR by a certified instructor. This year we are launching mental health first aid for the first time ever.

Employee safety and security has a very strong focus at AMS, and the CPR training has been done for some years. Thankfully there are persons in the warehouses and offices of AMS who can step in and save a life. In the case of a medical emergency, the AMS Safety and Security team is well trained to deal with it following established procedures. We care, and we show it by training in saving lives.

Ways of Learning CPR

“CPR – or cardiopulmonary resuscitation – is an emergency lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating. During American Heart Month, the Association is offering four ways to learn CPR and join the Nation of Lifesavers, as an individual, family, organization or community at heart.org/nation.”

The other ways of learning, suggested by the American Heart Association are as follows:

“Watch online. Learn the basics of Hands-Only CPR with this instructional video and share it on social media with #NationofLifesavers. Hands-Only CPR has just two simple steps, performed in this order: 1) Call 911 if you see a teen or adult suddenly collapse; and 2) Push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of a familiar song that has 100 to 120 beats per minute.

“Learn at home. Learn basic lifesaving skills in about 20 minutes from the comfort and privacy of home with the CPR Anytime® kits. The Infant CPR Anytime program is for new parents, grandparents, babysitters, nannies and anyone who wants to learn lifesaving infant CPR and choking relief skills.

“Take a course. Get a group together and find a nearby class to learn the lifesaving skills of CPR, first aid, and AED. Encourage others by sharing on social media with #NationofLifesavers.

“Turn employees into lifesavers. Help make your workplace and community safer one step at a time by forming a Heart Walk team and committing to CPR training for your employees.”

Please go to the AHA website [LINK] for full information and links to their recommendations.

An Example for All

Many of us will remember the shock and horror felt when seeing Damar Hamlin collapse on the football field with cardiac arrest. It was awful to see, and millions of us saw it in the media. Thankfully Mr. Hamlin has fully recovered and has stepped in to be an ambassador. Here are the details:                                         

“One of the people helping turn a nation of bystanders into a nation of lifesavers is Buffalo Bills safety and cardiac arrest survivor, Damar Hamlin. Since June 2023, Hamlin has served as the national ambassador for the American Heart Association’s Nation of Lifesavers. Following his cardiac arrest during Monday Night Football on Jan. 2, 2023, millions of people worldwide have engaged with American Heart Association educational content about CPR.

“’You never know when it’s going to be your opportunity to step in and save a life. CPR and AEDs are why I’m here today,’ says Hamlin in a newly released video shared on the Association website. ‘The mission of the Nation of Lifesavers is simple…when someone needs CPR, people can be well equipped to save a life. Someone who can save a life, that’s a superpower if you ask me.’”

We encourage readers to seek out CPR training, so that you can be one of those lifesavers. If you are one of our valued employees and you would like to take part in our next CPR classes, please let your Safety and Security Team know of your interest, or email [email protected].

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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation. We seek to B the Change we wish to see in the world.

February is a month dedicated to Black History. Why do we appreciate Black History Month at AMS? Because the more we know of each other’s history, the more we appreciate the struggles and lessons and victories. Most of us have learned little of Black history in our schooling and in general, which is the reason a month is dedicated to learning.

In this blog series we will publish several interesting treasures of Black history – stories most of us have never heard, giving us greater understanding of a family of Americans we love and appreciate. In our first blog we will learn about the yearning of the enslaved Africans to remember and retain some of their culture and language. Since the enslavement was trans-generational, for all but a tiny few, the language, culture, religion and family history is gone and cannot be recovered. While tracing the genetic journey is possible, the loss of identity is felt as a great loss.

As we know, African families were torn apart and the people were transported to and enslaved in South, Central and North America and the Islands of the Caribbean. In early 2000, at the request of Black leaders from a number of countries including the US, the United Nations recognized the descendants of these families collectively as Afrodescendants.

Our first Black History story will focus on one of three groups that managed to retain some of their language and culture. There is a group called the Garifuna, who live on the coastline of Honduras, and one called the Maroons who escaped slavery and lived for some time in southern Jamaica. The family we will learn about is called the Gullah Geechee. The Gullah Geechee are living on the coast of South Carolina and Georgia, on the coastal plain and the Beaufort Sea Islands. For more, we will quote from the Gullah Geechee Corridor website. [LINK]

The Gullah Geechee People

The Gullah Geechee people are descendants of Africans who were enslaved on the rice, indigo and Sea Island cotton plantations of the lower Atlantic coast. Many came from the rice-growing region of West Africa. The nature of their enslavement on isolated island and coastal plantations created a unique culture with deep African retentions that are clearly visible in the Gullah Geechee people’s distinctive arts, crafts, foodways, music, and language.

“Gullah Geechee is a unique, creole language spoken in the coastal areas of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. The Gullah Geechee language began as a simplified form of communication among people who spoke many different languages including European slave traders, slave owners and diverse, African ethnic groups. The vocabulary and grammatical roots come from African and European languages.  It is the only distinctly, African creole language in the United States and it has influenced traditional Southern vocabulary and speech patterns.”

The article goes on to say that today’s descendants have continued some traditions, arts, foodways and music that come from their ancestors, such as making cast nets for fishing, basket weaving for agriculture and textile arts for clothing and warmth. The music arose out of the conditions of slavery and its influence and evolution of musical forms can be heard in many musical genres.

The article speaks about the foodways as follows: “The traditional Gullah Geechee diet consisted of items available locally such as vegetables, fruits, game, seafood, livestock; items imported from Europe, items imported from Africa during the slave trade (okra, rice, yams, peas, hot peppers, peanuts, sesame “benne” seeds, sorghum and watermelon), and food introduced by Native Americans such as corn, squash, tomatoes and berries. Rice became a staple crop for both Gullah Geechee people and whites in the southeastern coastal regions. Because plantation cooks were primarily enslaved women, much of the food today referred to as “Southern” comes from the creativity and labor of enslaved cooks.”

The spiritual practices of the Gullah Geechee family are made up of Christian practices incorporated into an African rooted system of beliefs. “These values included belief in a God, community above individuality, respect for elders, kinship bonds and ancestors; respect for nature, and honoring the continuity of life and the afterlife. Lowcountry plantations frequently had a praise house or small structure where slaves could meet for religious services.”

The Loss of Land to Developers

Since the land occupied by the Gullah Geechee people is in a beautiful spot on the beach, sure enough there are developers wanting to build hotels and golf courses. One of the means of obtaining the land has been for the County to claim the land due to delinquent property tax and sell it. An article in The Guardian explains as follows:

“Across the low country, land once owned by formerly enslaved people and their descendants is being lost rapidly to development. With that land loss comes the degradation of Gullah culture, which once flourished in places like Beaufort, Hilton Head and other islands off the eastern coast of the US.”

There is a movement to keep these sales from being done, and the County government is responding. “As a means to help preserve Gullah land from this tide of coastal development, officials in Beaufort county allow heirs, as the descendants are called, to claim their land when it comes up for bid at auction. The hope, in explaining to attendees that the county’s practice is deference to the owners, is that would-be bidders will respect the custom and not make offers on the historic land.

“Of the more than 250 properties featured in the October auction, at least 10 belonged to heirs. When a Gullah heir kept their land, promising to pay the delinquent taxes, the crowd in the gym clapped. Some non-heirs bid anyway, effectively taking the properties out of Gullah hands. “The land loss we are dealing with now is due to predatory development and greed,” said Luana Graves Sellars, a director at the non-profit Lowcountry Gullah Foundation, which helps Gullah families hold on to their land by raising money to pay the outstanding taxes on their behalf.”

The struggle goes on, with property value rising and property tax rising as well. Readers can view the full story at this [LINK].

Gullah Geechee Corridor

There are efforts being made to involve the US National Park Service in protecting the people and their land by making it a National Heritage site. Apparently some land is now being protected. Quoting from the Gullah Geechee Corridor website, we hear this encouraging news:

“The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor is a National Heritage Area managed by the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission.  The National Heritage Area program is managed by the U.S. National Park Service. National Heritage Areas are designated by Congress as places where natural, cultural, and historic resources combine to form a cohesive, nationally important landscape. The purpose of the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor NHA is to preserve, share and interpret the history, traditional cultural practices, heritage sites, and natural resources associated with Gullah Geechee people of coastal North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.”

People Before Profit

In a world where people are put before profit, the Gullah Geechee heirs would not have to be engaged in such a struggle to remain in their homes. We appreciate the organization helping the heirs pay their property tax in order to retain their homes, the Lowcountry Gullah Foundation [LINK].

Well, there we have it – Black History story #1 in our series. Our next story will be on “Black Wall Street,” and our third will be on “Ebeneezer Creek.” The final blog will be about the abolitionist heroes. We hope you enjoy these glimpses into Black History.

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A B Corporation is a business that does put people before profit in their business practices. AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation. We aim to B the Change we wish to see in the world.

January 27^th is the anniversary of a very profound day in our human history – the day of the liberation of the men and women who were confined at the concentration camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau. If any day in our recent history should be remembered with gratitude, it is this day. As we know, there were six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of other victims of Nazi persecution.

How many people were sent to the camp, and how many lost their lives in this horrible time period? Records tell us that from 1940 to 1945 at least 1.3 million people were forced into the Auschwitz concentration camp and 1.1 million lost their lives. This crime took the lives of 960,000 Jews, 74,000 Non-Jewish Poles, 21,000 Roma, 15,000 Soviet prisoners of war and 15,000 other nationalities.

How were the survivors liberated on this day? We will take our answer from the Memorial and Museum website, linked [HERE].

“Soldiers of the 60th Army of the First Ukrainian Front opened the gates of Auschwitz Concentration Camp on January 27, 1945. The prisoners greeted them as authentic liberators. It was a paradox of history that soldiers formally representing Stalinist totalitarianism brought freedom to the prisoners of Nazi totalitarianism.

“The Red Army obtained detailed information about Auschwitz only after the liberation of Cracow, and was therefore unable to reach the gates of Auschwitz before January 27, 1945.

“About 7 thousand prisoners awaited liberation in the Main Camp, Birkenau, and Monowitz. Before and soon after January 27, Soviet soldiers liberated about 500 prisoners in the Auschwitz sub-camps.

“Over 230 Soviet soldiers, including the commander of the 472nd regiment, Col. Siemen Lvovich Besprozvanny, died in combat while liberating the Main Camp, Birkenau, Monowitz, and the city of Oświęcim. The majority of them are buried at the municipal cemetery in Oświęcim.

“In the Main Camp and Birkenau, Soviet soldiers discovered the corpses of about 600 prisoners who had been shot by the withdrawing SS or who had succumbed to exhaustion.”

Lessons Can Be Learned

What could we learn from this chapter in human history? Looking back, we can see a great deal of growth in our realization that we, human beings, are NOT unalike! How is the human being persuaded to hate, to enslave, to destroy? Have we reached a time in our evolution where we can no longer be poisoned in spirit against one another? One can see progress, and perhaps the light of awareness – this is my brother, this is my sister, this is my Self. We are growing, and that is encouraging.

Every human being is deserving of 100% respect, no matter the skin color, no matter the religious practices, no matter the sex or sexual preference, no matter the level of education, and no matter the history. We are one Humanity.

The following lessons from history are listed on the aish.com website and they provide very good guidance as we remember the liberation of Auschwitz on this day.

Lesson 1: The Importance of Holocaust Remembrance – The Responsibility of Memory
Lesson 2: The Danger of State-Sanctioned Incitement to Hatred and Genocide — The Responsibility to Prevent
Lesson 3: The Danger of Silence, The Consequences of Indifference — The Responsibility to Protect
Lesson 4: Combating Mass Atrocity and the Culture of Impunity — The Responsibility to Bring War Criminals to Justice
Lesson 5: The Trahison des Clercs — The Responsibility to Talk Truth to Power
Lesson 6: Holocaust Remembrance — The Responsibility to Educate
Lesson 7: The Vulnerability of the Powerless — The Protection of the Vulnerable as the Test of a Just Society

Integrity and B Corporations

We Are Responsible for our world and the evolution of our society. And yes, we have a responsibility to prevent and a responsibility to protect. We must have the courage to talk truth to power, and we must protect the vulnerable.

There are so many wrongs of the past that society has worked to repair and change, and this is the aim and goal of the B Corporation. Can business put people before profit? At AMS Fulfillment the answer is yes – we can put people before profit and still be a very successful business.

Can corporations take a position of responsibility? The answer is absolutely YES. “Be the change you wish to see in the world” is a phrase we use, and it is meaningful to all of us at AMS Fulfillment. We are grateful to be able to educate and commemorate the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. May such an atrocity never happen again in our shared world.

For the full story of the liberation, we invite you to visit this [LINK].

At AMS, we have a strong focus on environmental sustainability. After a very dedicated year, in 2023 AMS achieved carbon neutral recognition. Throughout the year we worked in every area we could to have an impact upon our footprint, from energy use to sustainable and biodegradable packaging to plastics recycling. We are back at it in 2024 with high goals to do even better.

One thing we are proud of… we offer our clients a number of sustainable packaging options as we know online customers are concerned about the packaging their products arrive in. The customer asks… “Will it add to plastics pollution in a landfill, or can it be recycled?” Sustainability of packaging is increasingly playing a role in the online customer’s buying choice.

International Congress

January 26^th is designated International Environmental Education Day. The aim of the day is to raise awareness about environmental issues, promote sustainable practices, and encourage people to take action for the well-being of the environment – our shared Earth.

The history of this day is as follows: “This day dates back to June 1972, when the United Nations held a conference in Stockholm, Sweden, on Human Environment. At this conference, it was discussed that certain common principles and standards should be followed so that we can preserve and improve the environment today. Following that, many countries gathered in the International Workshop on Environment, held in Belgrade, wherein the “Belgrade Charter” was published to illustrate the essential demands of environmental education.” [LINK to the Congress website]

International Environmental Education Day is observed all over the world. This year’s congress is in Abu Dhabi, entitled the 12th World Environmental Education Congress. It takes place from January 29th to February 2^nd.

A brief quote from the Zawya website tells us: “As a progression of the pivotal discussions from COP28, the congress, featuring the participation of IUCN, will focus on the power of education in confronting the Triple Planetary Crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.”

The article goes on the list the leaders planning to attend and concludes with the following: “With the UAE targeting a significant 22% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2027 and recent measures including banning single-use plastics and waste-to-zero campaigns, the country is committed to acting responsibly by actively addressing global challenges and charting its sustainable future.”

Single Use Plastics

At AMS we join them in their concerns – climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Our efforts toward becoming carbon neutral speak to our concern for climate change, and our annual contribution to the Rainforest Trust, specifically the Brazilian Amazon Fund to stop deforestation, is due to our concern for biodiversity loss.

We admire the UAE decision to ban single-use plastics – that is a big step! At AMS we provide all employees with refillable water bottles, and of course we properly collect and recycle any plastics that are used in our facilities. And we are doing one more significant effort to recycle plastic stretch film. As a fulfillment company, we receive, at all of our warehouses, shipments all day every day of pallets protected by plastic stretch film. Our recycling companies refused to accept this plastic and as a result it was ending up in landfills. Members of our Green Team set out to solve this issue, and after a number of phone calls and inquiries, planning and some purchasing, we solved it.

The AMS Green Team saw that the plastic stretch film had to be accumulated in large quantities and baled before it would be accepted for recycling. As we mentioned in a previous blog, we purchased 92 waste bins, allowing the warehouses to accumulate 10k pounds and bale it for recycling. As of this date, we have accumulated three 10-15k loads of baled stretch film which will be recycled into long-lasting products. Those products may be composite lumber, which has many uses, or it could be reprocessed into small pellets used to make containers, crates, pipes and many other items.

One of our Green Team members is also a member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition. This membership gives her the expertise to make recommendations to AMS clients of sustainable, earth friendly, eco-friendly packaging for their products. Many of our clients do choose sustainable packaging for their customers, and this is a Win for all of us and our shared Earth.

Environmental Education

The International Environmental Education Day organizers offer to us their recommendations as to why this day of education is important.

We learn more about our home…

“With this holiday, the environment is promoted, and people feel motivated to learn more and do something to help. It’s so humbling to realize that the earth is a beautiful place and one that should be preserved.”

We can be part of the action-taking…

“Once we are more aware, we can take steps to act according to the benefits of the environment. It’s always good to convince others, but it is more meaningful when we walk the talk.”

We help our home help us…

“As there is interdependence between man and the environment, it does benefit us to connect and come up with solutions to the issues our environment faces. When given more thought, it’s just like making sure our home is a livable and safe space to reside in.”

One more thing we would like to offer our readers is a link to a list of environmental science scholarships at leading schools and institutes in the country, for the betterment of the environment and our future. [LINK]

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AMS Fulfillment is proud to be a B Corporation. We strive to B the Change we wish to see in the world.

Thank you for your exemplary performance during the month of December: Norman R., Saul M., Naidelin G., Reina G., Daniel C., Matthew W., Martina P., Ramaesh N., Steven Charles Z., and Rachel P.

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!

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Norman R., Inventory Receiving Specialist I (11/16/2022) HQ Valencia, CA

Norman was impressing from day one. He is matriculate, observant, attentive and friendly. This is one of many reasons why we moved him over to HQ, and now joining the forklift driving ranks. His good character, wanting to learn more, and asking all the right questions is what makes him a great employee. Norman works hard every day and is always doing what’s best for the company. All around, he is a great worker. We are glad to have him on the team.

Saul M., Operations Supervisor II (09/15/2021) LIV Valencia, CA

Saul always comes to work with full intentions of keeping our employees happy along with making sure our clients are happy. He is our volunteer rep., and he makes sure that everyone in the warehouse is aware of all the company events and does a great job at getting everyone’s participation. Every day, he does not go home until he has made sure that every order for every client that could possibly ship has shipped. Saul is a very important part of our team, and we totally appreciate his full dedication to our employees and clients.

Naidelin G., Operations Associate II (03/21/2022) WIL Valencia, CA

Naidelin works in the returns department, and she is an outstanding employee who makes a positive impact on our team. She is a hard worker who always goes beyond the goals set for our department. Naidelin walks in with a smile and is always kind to everyone. You can rely on her to come in early or work on the weekend for any department. Her work ethic speaks for her, and she is our choice for Employee of the Month.

Reina G., Operations Supervisor I (07/24/2011) WIT Valencia, CA.

Since recently transferring to WIT, Reina has been of great help, especially during the Black Friday week. She has managed and worked the floor while continuing to do many other responsibilities. Regardless of the long hours worked and the pressure to get the orders out, she always had a positive and friendly attitude. She is always willing to help the team to pick, ship and resolve any other issues or questions the team might have. Her contribution to the team does not go unnoticed. Thank you, Reina!

Daniel C., Data Integration Analyst I (03/27/2015) IT Valencia, CA

Recently when a bi-coastal client experienced a system crash affecting their orders, Daniel proactively stepped in to manually import thousands of orders. It is worth noting that this particular client, operates through various channels and possesses a significant level of complexity. Despite the time-consuming nature of this task, Daniel handled it diligently and professionally, demonstrating exceptional composure while others may have struggled. He definitely deserves Employee of the Month.

Matthew W., Safety and Security Manager (11/06/2018) Safety, Valencia, CA

Matthew is responsible for maintaining the safety and security for AMS.  Matthew’s position requires him to ensure that all employees are working and operating equipment properly to reduce the risk of injury to themselves and others, make sure that any safety related maintenance issue is brought to the attention of Facilities immediately for repairs, see that all potential hazards are identified and remedied, oversee warehouses are secured properly, monitor cameras, issue name badges and keys for employees, manage after hours security patrols, respond to employee on the job injuries, and the occasional emergency 911 call when an employee is not feeling well. The list of his responsibilities is long, and Matthew puts all his energy into each duty to ensure everything is safe.

Because a Safety and Security Manager position often requires pointing out everything that is being done wrong and needs correcting, many are viewed as a “Grinch.” Matthew, however, has been able to earn the respect of warehouse management and workers alike, by conducting safety meetings that include team members from each warehouse to participate during safety walks, as a way of educating and expanding the number of safe workers at AMS, showing that he values everyone’s input. Everyone at AMS knows that they are safer, and that they have a voice in safety because of the commitment that Matthew demonstrates every day.

Martina P., Inventory Receiving Manager I (09/18/2023) Churchmans, DE

Martina is a new inbound and inventory manager. She is pretty tuff and stands on business. She gives 100% every day. During our voluntary holiday gift exchange, she made sure that no team member was left behind and everyone left with a gift, even if they didn’t sign up. She also has been working closely with me and the receiving lead to make sure we get ahead and are doing well in our positions. She is very deserving of employee of the month.

Ramaesh N., Inventory Receiving Supervisor I (10/31/2022) Newark, DE

Recently Ramaesh (Meash) was promoted to a supervisor position, and he has handled all of the responsibilities and any complications being thrown at him. He has been with the company for a little over a year and has just been climbing his way up! Starting as a picker/ shipper on the floor, Meash stood out right away, putting out order volume that for most would take two people to do, but he consistently gave his best effort all day long. Not long after, he started to remember sku numbers and locations for all the client’s products, right off the top of his head. He always pays close attention to details and finds solutions to problems. Meash is killing it. We are looking forward to this coming year with him in his new role. Thank you Meash!

Steven Charles Z., Inventory Receiving Supervisor I (12/08/2021) New Castle, DE, Boulden

Charles has gone above and beyond his own day to day responsibilities to help increase his depth of knowledge in other areas of the warehouse, and he takes the initiative on his own in most cases to develop cross functionality. He has also mentored our new inventory supervisor which has helped her grow into her new role here at AMS.

Rachel P., Operations Lead I (03/31/2022) New Holland, PA

Rachel displayed strong qualities of a leader during a very challenging time. She was present well before the start of the day and stayed late. She is an excellent motivator, operates at a fast pace, and displays great critical thinking. Thanks, Rachel, for all that you contribute every day! 

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

A mentor is a person who is intuitive enough to guide a less experienced person along a path the mentor has walked, or, better said, someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself. A mentor shares experience at the right time, and in the right way so that it is received, so the younger or less experienced person can learn. We know who our mentors are, and we know how precious the help they give.

January is ‘Mentor Month’, January 17 is ‘International Mentoring Day’, and January 21 is ‘Thank Your Mentor Day’. With all of these commemorations, it’s time to look into mentorship.

Our first step was to go to the definition of the word. What does the dictionary say a mentor is? The answer is, “… an experienced and trusted adviser.” A second definition is… “an experienced person in a company, college, or school who trains and counsels new employees or students.” Some synonyms are adviser, guide, confidant, counselor, consultant, therapist, trainer, teacher, tutor, coach and instructor.

Next we’ll offer an example of mentorship at AMS. Each week we feature an employee on our website, and a few weeks ago we interviewed Ignacio, Our AMS Receiving Supervisor. Quoting Ignacio:

“Three people who have been great inspirations to me in the company are Nacho, our fearless leader, for having the confidence in me to do the job right, Becky for being there to direct me to be better, and Steve for giving me the opportunity by hiring me and to be myself.”

Ignacio went on to say that he, too, is a mentor: “Overall, I aspire to help as many people as I can, and to grow with them personally and professionally, and in a positive environment.”

Here below are few more examples of who served as a mentor to whom. The full article is found at Evidence Based Mentoring [LINK].

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From the website we read the following:

“Musician Woody Guthrie, whose musical legacy includes hundreds of political, traditional and children’s songs including “This Land is Your Land,” mentored fellow singer-songwriter Bob Dylan.  As a high school student in the 1950’s, Dylan listened to Guthrie’s music, eventually moving to New York City and befriending the musician.  Dylan played and wrote to his idol, which was often met with Guthrie’s approval.  In 1962, Dylan released “Song to Woody,” an ode to Guthrie.”

This one shows the value of a teacher:

“Astronaut and former U.S. Senator John Glenn was mentored by his high school civics teacher. He is an advocate of mentoring and has spoken about the importance of being a mentor. “I think a mentor gets a lot of satisfaction in a couple of ways. They’re doing something constructive, so they feel good about that. And when they see the results of this, with the young people they’re working with, it’s very, very rewarding,” Glenn said.”

A mentor can be a spiritual guide:

“Mother Teresa committed her life to helping others and was recognized as one of the most admirable people of the twentieth century, operating orphanages, AIDS hospices and other charities worldwide.  She led a remarkable and revered life but may not have achieved all that she did if it weren’t for her mentor, Father Michael van der Peet. The two met while waiting for a bus in Rome, and quickly developed a close friendship. They spoke regularly and confided in each other over the years.”

Nothing beats the mentoring of a parent:

“Retired basketball player and MENTOR board member Bill Russell played center for the Boston Celtics from 1956 to 1969.  His mother was his greatest mentor. “My mother taught me to stand up for myself, to use my brainpower on my behalf,” he said. Russell’s mother died when he was twelve, but he continued to live through her guidance. “More strongly than ever, she stayed with me–in my thoughts, my goals, my aspirations… her presence, her teachings, remained with me when she was not around.’”

An incredible poet is mentored by an incredible poet:

“A leader of the transcendentalist movement, Ralph Waldo Emerson was perhaps best well-known for his essays concerning individualism and self-reliance. He mentored and worked closely with poet and transcendentalist writer Henry David Thoreau. When Thoreau graduated from Harvard University, the young writer was inspired by the older man’s views on the natural world, which would later influence Thoreau’s writings, most famously his master work on living in natural surroundings, Walden.”

Career mentoring is invaluable:

“Physicist and astronaut Sally Ride became the first American woman in space in 1983.  Ride’s graduate school professor, Dr. Arthur Walker was her life-long mentor and initially encouraged her to apply to NASA’s astronaut corps. “He instilled confidence and made me believe that I could accomplish what I set out to accomplish,” Ride said.”

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These are inspiring stories, pointing to a truly valuable relationship that helps both people involved. At AMS there are mentor/mentee relationships in many departments. We are so grateful to our employees who respond to a co-worker’s need for guidance or helpful instruction with patience and a willingness to take the time and give guidance.

As we said in the opening paragraphs, January 21^st is ‘thank your mentor day’. We encourage readers to do exactly that – find a special way to thank your mentor for ‘being there’ for you and helping you learn and grow. And one more thing… consider being a mentor yourself!

We have been celebrating the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for enough years that we believe we know the story of what he did for America. The holiday is celebrated on the third Monday in January, and this year it falls on Dr. King’s actual birthday – January 15th. This year, 2024, would have been his 93rd birthday. Martin Luther King Day was established as a federal holiday in 1983 but was not observed until 1986.

Many have studied the story of Dr. King in school, and more than a few living today remember the events as they took place. We either watched the events on TV, or read about them, or we participated in some way. We also remember the assassination of this wonderful man and leader. What a shocking and terrible day for America – April 4th, 1968. He was 39 years of age.

To many of us today, segregation seems remote – we cannot imagine the world as it was. The images of a ‘whites only’ drinking fountain, or lunch counter, or school are etched in our consciousness. Yes, these things happened… these things and much more. For the changes in America, we are profoundly grateful for Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement he led.

Integration did take place, some of the barriers came down, and gradually the country came to a better place with regard to the descendants of enslaved Africans. The American people have tried to right the wrongs, with a few exceptions, and we have come a long way. Today the effort to create a fully just world continues, spearheaded by B Corporations, of which AMS is one.

Rather than repeat the story of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement, in this writing we would like to offer some paragraphs from his “I Have a Dream” speech. It was in August of 1963 that Dr. King delivered this speech, during the March on Washington.

In this speech, Dr. King lays out the message in the first four paragraphs. He points out that America has not met the promise of democracy. He calls for an end to segregation and the beginning of a path to racial justice. Here below we offer these first four profound paragraphs.

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“Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

“But 100 years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later the Negro is still languished in the corners of American society and finds himself in exile in his own land. And so we’ve come here today to dramatize a shameful condition. In a sense we’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check.

“When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men — yes, Black men as well as white men — would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

“It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked insufficient funds.”

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As Dr. King moves forward through his speech, he calls on people to not commit wrongful deeds in search of justice. He asks the people to meet physical force with soul force. He urges the audience to not distrust all white people, and to recognize that we share a destiny. Dr. King’s non-violent, non-hate approach was in stark contrast to the violence and pure hatred coming out of the American South.

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“There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

“But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

“We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny.”

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Finally, Dr. King expresses his dream of peace, equality and justice. He asks the nation to rise up and live out the true meaning of democracy and equal rights. Here he delivers the profound words we all remember about judging not by one’s color of the skin, but the content of the character.

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“So even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.

“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

“I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.

“I have a dream that one day down in Alabama with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification, one day right down in Alabama little Black boys and Black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers. I have a dream today.”

______ 

Dr. King concludes his message by uplifting the people to a spiritual plane, referring to language and images drawn from the Bible. The language is beautiful and poetic, leading listeners to share his dream that all people will see this day of justice and equality together.

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“I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.”

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Prejudice is deeply ingrained in the human personality, but it does not exist in the soul. What Dr. King asked of us is that we grow out of the prejudices which come from ignorance of each other’s experience and grow up into what our souls know about justice and truth. Truth is… we do know what’s right.

Recently we published an article about JEDI – Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Does practicing JEDI lift AMS Fulfillment up into the soul’s knowledge? That is certainly our intention and our aim. 

We wish our employees, our clients, and all readers a happy Dr. Martin Luther King Day. We would like to offer our readers three links, with the first being the full speech from which we took our excerpts [HERE]. The second link is to another wonderful speech, entitled “A Proper Sense of Priorities.” This speech is about the Viet Nam war and poverty [HERE]. The third link is to the King Center website [HERE] where there is information about this year’s celebration and focus.

In the U.S., on January 13, 2024, we will celebrate Korean American Day. The purpose of commemorative days is to honor and highlight Americans of various ethnicities and cultures that immigrated to the United States. Korean Americans have made immeasurable contributions to the US culture and the economy. Citizens of Korean descent have established small businesses, served in the military, served as faith leaders, doctors, artists, elected officials and in many more roles for over a century.  

The first wave of immigration began in 1903, when 102 Korean immigrants arrived in Hawaii to work on pineapple and sugar plantations. In the years that followed, Korean Americans became a vital part of Hawaii’s diverse culture, contributing a great deal to the development of Hawaii. Today more than 50,000 Hawaiian residents identify as Korean.

From the University of Hawaii website, we quote the following: “Korean immigrants in Hawaii were living as stateless people for a long time, but they were special because they did not just stay at home only to earn living, but they organized themselves through the churches, establishing schools and social organizations, and actively supporting the independent movements by sending donations to the Korean provisional governments and activists.” To read the entire article featuring Korean women, click [HERE].

At the Boston University website, we read about the second wave of immigration. “Immediately after Korea was liberated from Japan’s annexation in 1945, Korea became a battleground in the U.S and Soviet Union’s power struggle. In 1948, Korea was divided into two political entities—South Korea supported by the United States and a communist government in North Korea supported by the Soviet Union.

“During the Korean War (1950-1953), the second wave of Korean immigrants moved to America. What started as an ideological conflict in the Cold War period became a national calamity killing nearly 55,000 people. During this period, approximately 15,000 Koreans immigrated to the United States. The McCarran and Walter Act of 1952 nullified the Asian immigration ban and made Asian immigrants eligible for citizenship. The second wave consisted of three groups: Korean wives of American soldiers, known as war brides; war orphans adopted by American families; and around 27,000 people composed of students, businessmen, and intellectuals.” We recommend reading more at this [LINK].

Celebrating the Culture

At AMS Fulfillment we know the value not only of a diverse workforce, but of learning about the various cultures and peoples who make up our country. When looking into commemorative days we see how little we know of each other’s history and experience. What challenges have American citizens of Korean ancestry been through? More than a few, with the Korean war the most recent historical trauma for the people. As always, the more we learn, the more we appreciate the strength and endurance of Korean Americans. 

We went to the National Today website [LINK] for information about Korean culture and individuals who made an impact. “There has been a lot to celebrate for Korean Americans over the past century or so. Sammy Lee was a two-time Olympic gold medalist in diving, Wendy Gramm served as U.S Commodity Futures Trading Commission chair under Presidents Reagan and Bush, David Hyun was the architect who revitalized Little Tokyo in LA, and Hines Ward Jr played for the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

“As well as the impact of individuals, Korean culture, in general, has left a sizable footprint in the U.S.  Korean food has become incredibly popular, and going for bibimbap with a side of kimchi is now commonplace, as is listening to a few K-Pop tunes on the drive home.

“In 2005, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed the resolution to consent for what Korean American Day stands for and its aspirations. Korean American Day is now enjoyed each year on January 13^th.”

How to Celebrate

In our search for how to celebrate Korean American Day, we came across some significant cultural information, and some food suggestions. The source is PBS [LINK]

First the important Korean holidays:
Seollal, the celebration of the Lunar New Year: January 22–24, 2023
Independence Day: March 1
Children’s Day: May 5
Buddha’s Birthday: May 8
Gwangbokjeol, Korean Liberation Day: August 15
Chuseuk, Thanksgiving: September 28–30 in 2023

Next, here’s their list of kid-friendly foods:
Bulgogi: Thin slices of marinated meat cooked over a grill or a stovetop
Mandu: Dumplings with various fillings either steamed or fried
Jajangmyeon: Noodles in a black bean sauce
Bibimbap: “Literally mixed rice.” Variations contain meat, egg, vegetables and sauces
Pajeon: Savory scallion pancakes
Gyeran-mari: Rolled omelet
Hotteok: Filled pancakes, savory or sweet

Let’s not forget kimchi – it’s a real treat! We hope you will take some time to learn about the Korean American experience. One of the issues fostering racism is our ignorance of the history, culture and experience of each other. Let’s learn and appreciate!

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AMS Fulfillment is a B Corporation! We work to B the Change we want to see in the world. 

Let’s begin with a sincere thank you to all who donate blood – you deserve our gratitude and appreciation for offering a part of yourself for the life and wellness of another! It really is a special way to ‘do unto others’.

January is National Blood Donor Month. The reason January was chosen makes a bit of sense… it’s Winter. Donations decrease in Winter, so the message goes out to the people – please become a blood donor or go ahead and donate now if you are accustomed to donating. 

Donating blood is easy, painless, fast, and you don’t need to go far. Please visit this Red Cross website where you can enter your zip code and find a location near you. [LINK]

Knowing your blood type could save your life when every moment counts. Do you know yours?

According to a 2019 CBS News poll, only 66% of Americans reported knowing their blood type. Considering blood type can be vital to understanding your health, including your heart health, and saving your life in an emergency, it’s important to know what type of blood courses through your veins.

We looked into the needs for donations at the Red Cross website.  

“Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets or plasma, this lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation.” 

Let’s take a glimpse at the history of Blood Donor Month and then we’ll look at how donating blood benefits the donor, and how donating benefits the recipient. 

“National Blood Donor Month began in January 1970 with a proclamation from President Richard Nixon, aiming to raise nationwide awareness about the critical need for blood donations during the winter. Each January, it serves as an opportunity to honor blood donors and inspire new ones, highlighting the essential role of blood donation in saving lives. Over the years, National Blood Donor Month has grown into a nationwide effort, uniting blood donation organizations, communities and volunteers in a continuous mission to maintain a stable and sufficient blood supply.” More from the Red Cross [HERE] 

Benefits for the Donor 

Who knew there were benefits to donating blood? One would imagine that giving up some of your blood would be a detriment, not a benefit. But, according to the Florida Health website there are benefits.  

Benefit #1 is apparent, you get to help someone who is ill, perhaps even saving a life. That feels good and IS good with millions of people in need. 

Benefit #2 is that you burn calories. Quoting from the article: “Researchers at the University of California, San Diego have found that you can lose up to 650 calories per pint of blood donated. That’s not a bad deal for kicking back and doing a good deed.” 

Benefit #3 is that donating lowers the risk of cancer. The donation reduces iron in the blood, and iron has been associated with free-radicals. The article points to a study showing that a group that donated two times a year lowered their iron levels and thus the risk of cancer. 

Benefit #4 is with regard to heart health: “Another benefit of donating your blood is getting your heart into tick-top shape. Donating lowers the viscosity of your blood which reduces the friction on your arteries and blood vessels. A study in the American Journal of Epidemiology showed that men who donated blood once a year had an 88 percent lower risk of heart attack than men who skipped out.” 

It’s good to know there are health benefits to the donor! To read the entire article click [HERE]. 

Benefits for the Recipient 

Going back to the Red Cross, we see the following. “The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 units. A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 units of blood. Blood and platelets cannot be manufactured; they can only come from volunteer donors.” 

The article gives some facts about blood needs. The first list offers surprising statistics – every two seconds someone in the US needs donated blood. This amounts to 29,000 units of red blood cells every day as well as nearly 5,000 units of platelets and 6,500 units of plasma. This amounts to 16 million blood components transfused each year. 

More interesting facts: “The blood type most often requested by hospitals is type O. One donation can help save more than one life. Type O negative red cells can be given to patients of all blood types. Because only 7% of people in the U.S. are type O negative, it’s always in great demand and often in short supply. Type AB plasma can be transfused to patients of all blood types. Since only 4% of people in the U.S. have type AB blood, this plasma is usually in short supply.” 

Blood donations help persons with sickle cell disease, and persons undergoing cancer treatment that can affect blood cells, like leukemia. Transfusions are given to patients going through chemotherapy, or those who need stem cell transplants. Blood is also given during surgery, any time there is severe bleeding from an accident, even sometimes during childbirth there may be a need. Red blood cells, plasma or platelets are needed, and we are the only source of this life-giving essence. 

We hope you will consider donating blood this month when the need is a little greater due to the season. Once again… THANK YOU to all donors! Your help is needed.  

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AMS Fulfillment is a B Corporation. We aim to B the Change we want to see in the world.