Happy New Year to all of our wonderful employees!! Thank you for your dedication and effort during 2023. We want to be “the best place you’ve ever worked” and we hope you feel that way about AMS!
Happy New Year to our valued clients!! We are grateful you chose AMS as your fulfillment partner. We promise you our dedicated efforts in 2024 and beyond! AMS wants to be “the best fulfillment partner you’ve ever worked with,” and we’ll be making that your reality from day one.
Happy New Year to our B Corporation family!! We share your desire for a world where the people and the environment come before profit. AMS achieved carbon neutral status in 2023 [LINK] and in 2024 we’ll be at it again! Ours is a shared commitment to B the change we want to see in the world, next year and beyond.
The New Year
Day One: The Gregorian calendar is the most widely used around the world today. In the Gregorian calendar the New Year occurs on January 1st. Other cultures may use a lunar calendar or a lunisolar calendar. This includes the Chinese, Islamic, Tamil and Jewish cultures. India and Nepal celebrate the New Year on dates according to their own calendars.
We decided to just have a little fun with our New Year message by reporting on how this movement of the clock is celebrated around the world. We know the USA traditions… let’s explore some others. The source of this information is a website called World Strides, linked [HERE].
Spain
In Spain, it is customary to eat 12 grapes – one at each stroke of the clock at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Each grape represents good luck for one month of the coming year. In bigger cities like Madrid and Barcelona, people gather in main squares to eat their grapes together and pass around bottles of cava.
Colombia
In hopes of a travel-filled new year, residents of Colombia carry empty suitcases around the block. That’s one New Year’s tradition we can get behind!
Denmark
Residents of Denmark greet the New Year by throwing old plates and glasses against the doors of family and friends to banish bad spirits. They also stand on chairs and jump off of them together at midnight to “leap” into January in hopes of good luck.
Finland
In Finland, people predict the coming year by casting molten tin into a container of water, then interpreting the shape the metal takes after hardening. A heart or ring means a wedding, while a ship predicts travel and a pig declares there will be plenty of food.
Panama
To drive off evil spirits for a fresh New Year’s start, it is tradition to burn effigies (muñecos) of well-known people such as television characters and political figures in Panama. The effigies are meant to represent the old year.
Scotland
During Scotland’s New Year’s Eve celebration of Hogmanay, “first-footing” is practiced across the country. The first person who crosses a threshold of a home in the New Year should carry a gift for luck. Scots also hold bonfire ceremonies where people parade while swinging giant fireballs on poles, supposedly symbols of the sun, to purify the coming year.
Philippines
You’ll find round shapes all over the Philippines on New Year’s Eve as representatives of coins to symbolize prosperity in the coming year. Many families display piles of fruit on their dining tables and some eat exactly 12 round fruits (grapes being the most common) at midnight. Many also wear polka dots for luck.
Brazil
In Brazil, as well as other Central and South America countries like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Venezuela, it is thought to be lucky to wear special underwear on New Year’s Eve. The most popular colors are red, thought to bring love in the New Year, and yellow, thought to bring money.
Greece
An onion is traditionally hung on the front door of homes on New Year’s Eve in Greece as a symbol of rebirth in the New Year. On New Year’s Day, parents wake their children by tapping them on the head with the onion.
HAPPY NEW YEAR AMS FAMILY – it’s 2024!! Let’s make it GREAT!
Each year, during the Holidays, AMS makes a charitable donation to a cause that we are very aligned with, and we believe our clients are as well… the Rainforest Trust. This year the donation is directed toward a specific effort, which is the Brazilian Amazon Fund. This fund does the absolutely essential work of stopping deforestation and creating protected areas which safeguard the indigenous territories.
The following information is about that fund and the work it does.
“Approximately 18% of the Amazon has been deforested, with a distressing 2.9 million acres of forest in Brazil destroyed in 2022 alone. Within the Brazilian Amazon, 141 million acres of land are government controlled but not yet designated for a particular purpose. Each and every one of these acres—the irreplaceable home of myriad, exquisite species found nowhere else on Earth—could be preserved forever as part of a protected area such as a national park, or could be safeguarded as an Indigenous reserve. Or vast areas could be chain-sawed and burned to the ground for beef or soy. The stakes are huge for all life on Earth.”
The Opportunity: Create Protected Areas and Safeguard Indigenous Territories
“Lula’s return as Brazil’s president this year provides an extraordinary second chance to expand protected areas and halt deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon. Approximately 29% of the original forest is substantially intact, owned by the government, but currently unprotected—by far the largest area of intact, unprotected tropical rainforest in the world. The window of opportunity is extremely narrow: Lula’s term is four years and it can take several years to create protected areas and safeguard Indigenous territories.”
Goals and Objectives: Save 20 million acres of intact forest.
“Rainforest Trust’s goal in the Brazilian Amazon is to permanently safeguard 20 million acres of intact forest as new protected areas and Indigenous territories and safely lock up 6 billion metric tons of CO2 equivalents (more than the U.S.’s annual total CO2 emissions).”
The goal of the Brazilian Amazon Fund is one that we fully support, believing this is an urgent need, not only for the CO2 but for the forest itself, its wonderful wildlife and the people who are indigenous to the land. As a B Corporation we seek to B the change we want to see in the world, so we have been as generous as we can be in this donation. We encourage readers to visit the Rainforest Trust website to find out more. [HERE]
Another ‘positive’ with this organization is that 100% of our contribution goes to the conservation efforts. This is possible because members of the board and supporters of the organization cover the operating costs. We’re confident our clients support this organization, hence it is a pleasure to make this donation on their behalf, with every dollar going to the cause.
Wishing all of our readers Happy Holidays and a Very Happy and Successful New Year.
We pondered… what can we possibly give to our employees and clients and friends for the Holidays? The question came… in this diverse world, what do we all want? What do we yearn for? The answer was easy – every single soul yearns for peace. We aren’t that different after all. And this is the season and the moment in time to express our heart’s desire. So here we offer some beautiful prayers for peace, from different religions and cultures. We hope you enjoy!
A Prayer for World Peace, 1978
We pray for the power to be gentle; the strength to be forgiving; the patience to be understanding; and the endurance to accept the consequences of holding on to what we believe to be right.
May we put our trust in the power of good to overcome evil and the power of love to overcome hatred.
We pray for the vision to see and the faith to believe in a world emancipated from violence, a new world where fear shall no longer lead men or women to commit injustice, nor selfishness make them bring suffering to others.
Help us to devote our whole life and thought and energy to the task of making peace, praying always for the inspiration and the power to fulfill the destiny for which we and all men and women were created.
– Author Unknown, Offered by Beth Amyot
Lead Us
Lord, Lead us from death to life, From falsehood to truth. Lead us from despair to hope, from fear to trust. Let peace fill our hearts, our world and our universe. Let us dream together, pray together and work together, To build one world of peace and justice for all.
Author unknown – spoken by Mother Teresa in 1981.
Buddhist Prayer for Peace
May all beings everywhere plagued with sufferings of body and mind quickly be freed from their illnesses.
May those frightened cease to be afraid and may those bound be free.
May the powerless find power, and may people think of befriending one another.
May those who find themselves in trackless, fearful wildernesses–the children, the aged, the unprotected–be guarded by beneficent celestials, and may they swiftly attain Buddhahood.
– Author Unknown
Hindu Prayer for Peace
Oh God, lead us from the unreal to the Real. Oh God, lead us from darkness to light. Oh God, lead us from death to immortality. Shanti, Shanti, Shanti unto all. Oh Lord God almighty, may there be peace in celestial regions. May there be peace on earth. May the waters be appeasing. May herbs be wholesome, and may trees and plants bring peace to all. May all beneficent beings bring peace to us. May thy Vedic Law propagate peace all through the world. May all things be a source of peace to us. And may thy peace itself, bestow peace on all, and may that peace come to me also.
– Author Unknown
Jewish Prayer for Peace
Come let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, that we may walk the paths of the Most High. And we shall beat our swords into ploughshares, and our spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation- neither shall they learn war any more. And none shall be afraid, for the mouth of the Lord of Hosts has spoken.
– Author Unknown
Muslim Prayer for Peace
In the name of Allah, the beneficent, the merciful. Praise be to the Lord of the Universe who has created us and made us into tribes and nations, that we may know each other, not that we may despise each other. If the enemy incline towards peace, do thou also incline towards peace, and trust in God, for the Lord is the one that heareth and knoweth all things. And the servants of God, Most Gracious are those who walk on the Earth in humility, and when we address them, we say “PEACE.”
– Author Unknown
Native American Prayer for Peace
O Great Spirit of our Ancestors, I raise my pipe to you. To your messengers the four winds, and to Mother Earth who provides for your children. Give us the wisdom to teach our children to love, to respect, and to be kind to each other so that they may grow with peace in mind. Let us learn to share all the good things you provide for us on this Earth.
– Author Unknown
Sikh Prayer for Peace
God adjudges us according to our deeds, not the coat that we wear: that Truth is above everything, but higher still is truthful living. Know that we attain God when we love, and only that victory endures in consequence of which no one is defeated.
– Author Unknown
Sufi Prayer for Peace
O Almighty Sun, whose light clears away all clouds, We take refuge in you. Guide of all people, God of all deities, Lord of all angels, We pray you to dispel the mists of illusion from the hearts of the nations And lift their lives by your all-sufficient power, Your ever shining light, your everlasting life, Your heavenly joy and your perfect peace.
– Author Unknown
Zoroastrian Prayer for Peace
We pray to God to eradicate all the misery in the world: that understanding triumph over ignorance, that generosity triumph over indifference, that trust triumph over contempt, and that truth triumph over falsehood.
– Author Unknown
Peace Prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace; Where there is hated, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is discord, harmony; Where there is error, truth; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; And where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek To be consoled as to console; To be understood as to understand; To be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; And it is in dying that we are born into eternal life.
Looking through our year of 2023, we see our B Corporation values dominating the news. We see our CEO nominated as a finalist for the 2023 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion awards by the LA Business Journal. We see AMS granted the Silver Level Award from The Climate Registry, along with our first year being Climate Neutral. We see recognition from the CA General Assembly for diversity and an award from the Mayor’s Committee for hiring individuals with disabilities. We see someone we love retiring, we see some new friends in Human Resources, we see charitable giving, green team news and successes, and the importance of employee safety to AMS. Let’s begin with December of 2022 and from there we’ll move through the year.
December 2022
AMS was very pleased, in late December, to contribute to the Rainforest Trust and Rainforest Climate Action Fund on behalf of our clients. Here is a brief quote from our blog: “We believe that donating to this fund may be the most effective tool we have, at this time, to fight climate change and create a healthier future for our planet and all who inhabit it. We are confident that our clients, our employees, our community and our investors join with us in concern for the future of our shared world.” To read the full article, click [HERE].
February 2023
In February the AMS Green Team began a months-long effort to recycle stretch film. We handle 60-80 stretch wrapped pallets a day in each of our warehouses, and this is a lot of plastic going into a landfill. It was a great concern for us and a challenge, but we got it happening! “AMS’ Green Team searched for a solution. They located a company that will pick up and properly recycle our bailed plastic stretch film once we reach 10K lbs. We have purchased 92 waste bins to distribute in all our warehouse facilities so our team can properly dispose of this waste, which will be collected, bailed, weighed, and stored for our goal of 10K pounds.” To read the full article, click [HERE].
March 2023
We interviewed Marco Pelaez, AMS’ VP of Operations, about whether our efforts at pandemic safety were coming to an end. Marco had been diligent in protecting AMS employees and it was time for an update. We’ll quote Marco from the blog: “Keeping employees safe during this pandemic has been a very stressful experience. We had to learn about this virus, not knowing how it behaves, and at the same time try to keep people feeling safe and secure at the workplace. We also had to learn about the CDC safety protocols and implement them at AMS. They were two long years of stress, tears and satisfaction. When we were able to bring the vaccination clinics to our workplace and see the employees’ response as they brought their friends, kids, and family members to our clinics it was a big win for AMS. We knew that we were providing our employees with the best protection against this virus.” To read the full article, click [HERE].
April 2023
At the end of March the LA Business Journal hosted their annual Diversity, Equity + Inclusion Symposium & Awards at the Marriott. Our CEO, Jay Catlin, was one of the business leaders nominated as finalists. Jay gave the following statement: “It is both humbling and an honor to have been nominated for the LA Business Journal’s DE&I 2023 CEO of the Year award. I, along with the other finalists, am an advocate of DE&I. Since AMS was founded over 20 years ago, diversity, equity, and inclusion have been integral to our success. Although I didn’t win the award, I will continue to ensure that AMS is one of the best companies to work for – and DE&I is at the heart of AMS.” Click [HERE] for the full article.
May 2023
In the beginning of April we posted a blog about Earth Month and we promised to do a follow-up blog about our volunteers participating in local Earth Day events. Here is a brief excerpt from the promised report: “Towsley Canyon Cleanup, 6 employees (12 Hours), 1 minor Volunteer – (2 hours). Quartz Hill Cleanup, 2 employees (4 Hours), 3 Community Volunteers (6 Hours), 6 minors Volunteers (12 hours). PA and DE: Our PA and DE volunteers ran into a weather issue. They were rained-out of the Middle Creek Wildlife Cleanup, but they still did their Earth Day celebration indoors.” To read the full blog, click [HERE].
June 2023
We had three reports in June worthy of review. The first has to do with the AMS Volunteer Representatives. We pointed out ways that the Committee does the environmental clean-ups, and supports the community, holding fundraisers and donating the funds to local non-profit organizations. The Committee also partners with AMS clients to donate liquidation goods to non-profits. Another effort is to train and hire individuals from local organizations who may have difficulty securing employment. From the article, we name the AMS Volunteer Reps: “AMS Volunteer Program Lead- Samantha H., HQ- Teresa G.; LIV- Saul M.; WIL- Alicia G.; WIT- Tangie D.; HR WEST- Rocio A. & Jamie B.; Delaware- Gabrielle F.; New Holland- Sharon S, Gabrielle F., Alyssa W., Wendy M.; HR East- Emma A., LaTanya W.; Executive- Bobbi B.” Click [HERE] for the story.
June 2023
Also in June we said goodbye to someone very much loved at AMS, President of AMS West, Betty-Lou Wiseman, upon her retirement. Betty-Lou began her journey with AMS in 2004, moving from VP of Client Services to President of AMS in 2019. The following is a quote from AMS CEO, Jay Catlin: “Betty-Lou has been with AMS for nearly 20 years as an incredible contributor toward our success, and someone who has embodied our giving, family-like culture from Day One. Betty-Lou has chosen to pursue a new path outside of AMS… one that will serve her community as she is looking forward to working with her husband Ken (long-time AMS CEO) on all his new ventures. I know Betty-Lou will remain connected to AMS and its people as an owner of the company and most importantly, a friend and mentor to so many. On behalf of AMS, I sincerely thank Betty-Lou for her contributions over the years and being a pillar of strength for so many along the way.” Read the full blog [HERE].
June 2023
Finally, in June we announced and welcomed our new VP of Human Resources, Cindy Beeson, and our new HR Manager at AMS East, LaTanya Warren. Please enjoy the following brief quotes from the blog: “AMS Fulfillment is delighted to welcome our new VP of Human Resources, Lucenda (Cindy) Beeson. We are pleased and very fortunate to have Cindy join us at AMS with her skillset, training, her extensive experience in Human Resources and her knowledge of retail and distribution and employee safety.” LaTanya: “In March of 2023 LaTanya Warren joined AMS as our HR Manager, AMS East. We are so pleased and fortunate to have someone with her depth of experience in this vital position. Her ideals are aligned with our B Corporation goals and we very much look forward to working with her.” To read the full blog, click [HERE].
July 2023
Our July report has to do with donations to the community of older or overstock inventory from AMS clients. Many AMS clients prefer to donate these items to nonprofit organizations in the community and AMS is more than happy to locate nonprofits and facilitate the gift of clients’ products. The following is from our blog: “In the first six months of 2023 AMS clients have partnered with us to donate over $350,000 worth of product to help support nonprofits in our communities. The products include T-shirts, items of clothing, household detergents, coffee, makeup, shoes, nail polish, and all kinds of other products as well. Some of the organizations that have received donations from our clients are as follows: East coast – Phoenix Used Clothing, Plummer Community Correction Center, Horizon House Peer Recovery Center, Network Connect, Inc. West coast – Bridge to Home, Single Mothers Outreach, LA Homeless Shelter.” To read the full post, click [HERE].
September 2023
AMS had been in the process of becoming carbon neutral, and in September we reported on the progress as follows: “AMS Fulfillment, with the help of GHD Ltd., has completed their inaugural 2022 baseline Scope 1 and 2 Greenhouse Gas emissions (GHG) inventory. This inventory provides AMS with a robust data-focused foundation for managing the company’s Greenhouse Gas emissions. The inventory also helps AMS reduce future emissions with strategies to help the company reach its goal of being net zero by 2050.” To read the full report, click [HERE].
October 2023
Our February report was on recycling plastic stretch film. We reported that we found a vendor and purchased waste bins. Now in October we get to celebrate the results. We were able to accumulate 20 bales and our vendor picked them up for recycling. The following is from our blog: “When 20 bales have accumulated, the plastics are picked up by the vendor and taken to the recycling plant. Recycled plastic film is made into composite lumber, which is used for benches, decks, and playground sets. It is also recycled and reprocessed into small pellets that are used to make plastic containers, crates, pipes, new plastic bags, and pallets. Victory for AMS!! We solved the issue of proper handling of plastic film.” Click [HERE] to read the blog.
December 2023
We are featuring two reports published in December. The first is our celebration of having achieved Carbon Neutral status in 2023. The following is from our blog: “We know that some time ago AMS worked on the lighting in the warehouses, making them more energy efficient. And we know that gas powered equipment has been replaced by electrically powered equipment. We are proud to mention in our blogs that AMS uses, and influences our clients to use, earth friendly packaging. We recycle cardboard and metal, and we monitor lighting and energy use. We have implemented an employee waste disposal program and we have established a Vanpool for our California employees. And it took some effort, but we found a way to bale and recycle plastic stretch film so that it can be re-made into products and re-used.” The article goes on to explain how we achieved this landmark status – read the report [HERE].
December 2023
Our final blog in December is about our employees donating food and used clothing to help organizations in the community. The recipient organizations were the Santa Clarita Food Pantry and Hope the Mission. The following quote is from Samantha Hicks, head of the Volunteer Committee: “It really is a group effort. The success of our giving programs is attributed to our volunteer committee, which consists of at least one representative from each facility. They have passion for engaging employees they see every day, making the workplace a positive place to contribute. Collectively we can make a difference.” Click [HERE] for the full blog.
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As you can see, throughout the year AMS was dedicated to our employees, our community, our clients, and our environment. These are our B Corporation values, and they also have been the AMS culture for many years – we very much enjoy doing ‘good’ while doing ‘well’. Purpose before profit is our commitment, and it is also one of the reasons our valued clients choose to do business with AMS. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to all!!
Thank you for your exemplary performance during the month of November: Patricia C., Laura R., Berenice G., Jamie B., Jocelyn G., Ivette E., Mary A., Aresenya J., Amere D., Michele C. and Travis M.
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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Patricia C., Operations Associate II (09/2011), HQ Valencia, CA
Patty is very hardworking, always smiling and in a good mood. She is willing to learn new things. She is an efficient, fast worker who is a team player, and we can depend on her to get the job done. Patricia is nice to work with and she is always open to help the team. She deserves this recognition and we thank her!
Laura R., Operations Associate II (03/2022), LIV Valencia, CA
Laura is an outstanding employee here at Livingston. Laura works for our receiving/inventory team. This peak season, Laura stepped up in every way by helping wherever she could. When shipping needed to locate an item, she was there to help immediately, and when that happens it makes our job (PPSH) a lot smoother and more productive. Laura’s attendance is outstanding, and she worked overtime whenever needed. The best thing about Laura is that she’s positive, comes to work every day with a smile, and when asked to do something, it’s always a pleasant response with a smile. Thank you, Laura, for all your hard work, commitment, and amazing positive energy!
Berenice G., Operations Associate I (06/2022), WIL Valencia, CA
When the lead operations employee was not available, Berenice stepped up and was able to keep the workflow going smoothly. She learned the requirements for the clients that she was being responsible for, and she did a great job. She learned to print the orders and to post the orders when picked up. Berenice is also flexible where she was able to help in other departments when needed. Berenice made the daily workload easier to process and it is great having her on the team.
Jamie B., Field HR BP- Labor Tracking (06/2016), WIT Valencia, CA
Jamie has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to our organization, particularly during the challenging period of Peak Season. As the Timekeeper for our complex client-billed fulfillment business, Jamie played a crucial role in ensuring the accurate recording of employee times. Her tireless efforts, including working on weekends, did not go unnoticed. Despite the increased workload, Jamie went above and beyond to maintain precision and reliability in timekeeping, reflecting her outstanding work ethic. Moreover, Jamie took on additional responsibilities by overseeing the daily check-ins of temporary employees, contributing significantly to the seamless functioning of our operations. Her attention to detail and meticulous approach during this critical time greatly contributed to the success of our projects.
In addition to her primary responsibilities, Jamie extended her support to the East division by taking on the responsibilities of their Timekeeper, who was on maternity leave. Managing dual roles, Jamie demonstrated remarkable organizational skills and the ability to handle increased responsibilities without compromising on the quality of her work. Jamie’s positive attitude, dedication, and willingness to go the extra mile make her an invaluable asset to our team. We believe that recognizing her efforts as Employee of the Month would not only acknowledge her hard work but also inspire others to strive for excellence, and we are confident that her contributions will continue to positively impact our organization.
Jocelyn G., Assistant Account Manager, CS (09/2016), Valencia, CA
Jocelyn is an undeniable asset to our team. She has always brought a positive attitude and collaborative energy to work every day. By demonstrating outstanding dedication to our clients and her work, she has been able to grow within our operations team to client services within her 7+ years with us, specifically this last year. Jocelyn is willing to go the extra mile for our clients and gives us her 100% consistently. She truly is a rock star! She’s willing to help at any given moment. She has continuously shown to be a team player, and the one to lend a hand as needed. She does not have an “I don’t know” attitude, she will say “not sure, but let me find out and get back to you.” And most importantly, she raises her hand whenever she needs help. These are key roles that make her invaluable and an asset to our team and to AMS. Thank you for all your hard work as this does not go unnoticed!
Ivette E., Controller, Finance (09/2019), Valencia, CA
Ivette has demonstrated that she is a strong team player and has taken on more responsibility. This has included the company’s Cash Forecasting process, increased involvement with the annual Budget, and in taking the lead for the banking and covenant compliance. We are happy to have her as part of our team and are excited that she has increased her involvement in consolidating the financials and in sharing best practices with all locations. We are happy to be able to recognize her as Employee of the Month!
Mary A., Logistics Manager (11/2022), Valencia, CA
Mary is an integral part of the AMS team, and her growing knowledge of logistics and transportation workings has become a true asset. Mary has always been a team player and does what it takes to make sure our shipments are flowing. The logistics team is a small one for a company this size and managing it all is a true testament to Mary’s work ethic. Wouldn’t be as successful without her!
Aresenya J., Inventory Specialist I (06/2023) Churchman’s, DE
Since Arsenya first joined AMS, she had the thirst for knowledge of all aspects of the warehouse. She constantly wants to know all there is to know, and she shows this by offering to work other areas such as B2B and Inventory Control and is even willing to help at other buildings if asked. She is a great learner, and she was able to pass the forklift test with flying colors. She always has a smile on her face, has a great sense of humor and is just a pleasure to be around. Arsenya is an asset to our receiving team and continues to grow more and more every day.
Amere D., Operations Associate I (08/2023), Newark, DE
Amere has been with us only a few months and he has grown tremendously! He gives his best efforts every day, takes initiative to get things done. He is always willing to stay if he is needed and put in his time. He is a good team player when it comes to helping with things that he may not do daily, whether that’s stacking pallets, handling returns, or even just basic housekeeping around the warehouse. Amere shows up every day for his shifts and is someone we can always count on to be here every day. It has been a pleasure watching his growth! Thank you Amere!
Michele C., Operations Associate I (03/2023) New Castle, DE
Michele always has a positive attitude, and she teaches the “newbies” when needed. If she sees someone going astray, she will quickly reign them back in and get them focused on the task at hand. She played an integral part of getting the orders out for one of our valued clients once it came over to Boulden during our peak season hitting hard. Life is tough sometimes, but Michele is tougher! Give her a task and watch her run with it and make it happen! Go Michele!
Travis M., Operations Lead I (03/2022), New Holland, PA
I would like to nominate Travis for employee of the month. Travis has been with us for almost two years as an Assembly and DFC group leader. He is often seen spreading positivity to his team boosting morale while driving his lines to get goals accomplished in a timely manner. He is never standing on the side lines; he jumps right in working alongside his team and never asks anything of anyone that he wouldn’t do himself. He is a fair and kind leader who has really grown into his position always learning and consistently trying to do his best. He has been instrumental in helping New Holland get through our busy season working overtime and volunteering his entire weekends to help in other departments. Thank you for all you do Trav! Keep up the good work!
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To all of our Honorees, please know that whatever role you play, you are the reason for our success. Congratulations and Thank You!
For all of our readers who are ‘last-minute shoppers’, we would like to offer four different categories of B Corporation gifts for your consideration. The first category is gift options for workplace teams and clients. The second is gift ideas with purpose and care, the third is B Corps on the East Coast, and the fourth is gifts for a cozy home. We hope you will follow the links and see what gifts B Corporations have to offer!!
As you most likely know, shopping with B Corporations gives your gift meaning, not only to the recipient, but to the B Corporation employees and communities. AMS is proud to be one of more than 5,000 B Corporations in the US. B Corporations are businesses that place employees, community, clients and our shared environment before profit. As you will see, the gifts they are offering are unique and of high quality. Please enjoy!!
Teams and Clients
This holiday season, shine a light on your workplace team members and partners with gifts from Certified B Corporations. As companies using business as a force for good, B Corps can help you select gifts that create positive social and environmental impact.
This list highlights 14 B Corps that offer giving options to uplift co-workers and clients. From custom gift boxes that create goodwill to books that can help drive positive change and more, these B Corp items help show appreciation for colleagues and advance a more inclusive, regenerative economy. Click [HERE] to shop for Teams and Clients.
Purpose and Care
11 Gifts that Give Back to the Community: These B Corps share ideas that bring joy to people you love and help create a better future for people in need. At the holidays and throughout the year, doing business with B Corps is one way to support local organizations and build community connections.
7 Gifts for Quality Time with Friends and Family: The seven products and experiences on this list from B Corps in the US and Canada help create positive impact for local communities, workers, and the environment. Find ideas to spread cheer as you bring loved ones together at the holidays — and all year long. Click [HERE] to shop for purpose and care gifts.
B Corps on the East Coast
This holiday season shop for your friends and family from local B Corps based on the U.S. East Coast. In this gift guide, you’ll find a mix of food and beverages, household items, and more. Not only does this list highlight some wonderful B Corps, we’ve also indicated which are small businesses, Black-owned, AAPI-owned, Indigenous-owned, and women-owned. Feel good about choosing them for the loved ones on your gift list. For all of our employees, clients and friends on the East Coast, please enjoy looking through the great B Corp gifts [HERE].
Gifts for a Cozy Home
Treat friends and family who prefer time at home to hustle and hubbub with heart-warming items made for relaxation and comfort. The items below can level up the hygge factor at your loved ones’ abodes. These gifts for a cozy home come from Certified B Corporations and are made with the planet we call home in mind too, thanks to materials and practices designed to minimize their impact on the environment.
As part of B Lab U.S. & Canada’s “Give Something Greater” focus for this year’s B Corp Holiday Gift Guides, these companies, products, and services are selected for their commitment to positive social and environmental impact for the people behind them. B Corps are companies actively working to build a stakeholder economy, which requires businesses to create value for multiple stakeholders including workers, customers, communities, the environment, and shareholders. The 14 items on this list will add a cozy touch to the spaces and places we call home. Click [HERE] to view the very lovely gifts for a cozy home.
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Thank you for visiting these retailers, recommended by bcorporation.net and bthechange.com, and considering the extra benefit your purchase would give to the communities and individuals involved.
Chanukah celebrations are concluding, Las Posadas celebrations are beginning, and Solstice will be here soon! We’re a little more than halfway through the wonderful month of December and the celebrations of different cultures and religions are taking place.
In the first of our series, we talked about celebrants honoring the Saints who engaged in giving to people in need. In our second of the series, we talked about overcoming circumstances of finding shelter and welcoming the Chanukah miracle. Now in this third of the series we will be preparing to experience new birth and new beginnings.
In Series #3 we will cover Christmas, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day. Many of us celebrate Christmas, in different ways, and we’ll do our best to answer what is the celebration, why is it important and how is it celebrated. We’ll also do that with Kwanzaa, speaking about the meaning of each of the seven days. Three Kings Day is unfamiliar to many of us, so as always, we’re ready to learn the meaning of this celebration.
Christmas
We’re familiar with the different ways Christmas is celebrated in the US and they are quite diverse. If a family is focused on the spiritual meaning of the Christmas Eve and Christmas day, there will likely be decorations in the home and an event or concert at the house of worship on Christmas Eve, celebrating the birth of the Holy Child. And of course, a family celebration on Christmas Day with food and gifts. If the family celebrates Christmas as a cultural holiday, there will be decorations and a beautiful tree, gifts for all, food of course, and possibly a Santa Claus story for the little ones.
For many of us Christmas is a mixture of cultural and spiritual, giving the holiday meaning related to the coming of Divine Light into the world. As we follow the celebrations the most dominant meaning of Christmas is Love – love for one another as in the actions of the Saints, love for our ability to worship as in Chanukah and love for the Divine amongst us as in the Holy Child.
We did a little search on how Christmas is celebrated around the world and we found some fun facts from Good Housekeeping. Read the full article [HERE]. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate around the world! This is indeed a diverse holiday.
Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa was created as a holiday celebration nearly 60 years ago by African American activist, Maulana Ron Karenga. His expressed intention was to 1) Reaffirm and restore African heritage and culture 2) Introduce and reinforce the Seven Principles 3) Serve as a nationally celebrated communal and non-heroic holiday. It is based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts of West and Southeast Africa. Kwanzaa is widely celebrated in African American households.
During the week of Kwanzaa, families and communities come together to share a feast, to honor the ancestors, and affirm the bonds between them. Each day a candle is lit to highlight the principle of that day. A meal will be shared, sayings or writings of great black thinkers and writers will be enjoyed, there will be African drumming. The Principles are as follows:
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.
Kwanzaa is a beautiful, and restorative tradition that completes the old year and begins the new year. It begins the day after Christmas, on Tuesday December 26th, and continues to the New Year, Monday January 1st. We went to the Smithsonian Museum of African American history and culture for our information about Kwanzaa. Link [HERE].
Three Kings Day
This ‘conclusion to the season’ is celebrated in Mexico and Puerto Rico, plus a number of other countries. It is also referred to as Epiphany. Our sources for this information are National Geographic [HERE] and a lifestyle blog available [HERE].
“At the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas comes a day called the Epiphany, or Three Kings Day. This holiday is celebrated as the day the three wise men first saw baby Jesus and brought him gifts. On this day in Spain, many children get their Christmas presents. In Puerto Rico, before children go to sleep on January 5, they leave a box with hay under their beds so the kings will leave good presents. In France, a delicious “kings’ cake” known as la galette des rois is baked. Bakers hide a coin, jewel, or little toy inside it.
“The Three Kings Day traditions in Mexico involve all the elements of Christmas: family, gifts, and food. An interesting Three Kings Day fact is that for many children, it’s the three Wise Men who bring Christmas gifts, not Santa Claus, and in the days leading up to the holiday, kids will be writing letters with their hopes and dreams to the Magi.”
This year Three Kings Day will be celebrated on Friday, January 6th. It’s part of what makes the Christmas holiday season in Mexico so warm and festive, and if you’re lucky enough to be in the country on January 6, you’ll get to taste another part of Mexican culture.
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We hope readers have enjoyed our glimpse into various cultures through learning about celebrations in December. We have enjoyed this journey, and we appreciate learning ‘what’ is the celebration, ‘why’ and ‘how’ is it celebrated. This information serves to broaden our knowledge of the human families. Coming to know each other is one of the rewards of a commitment to diversity.
Happy Holidays to ALL. December is truly a special time where the entire world celebrates. The most beautiful aspect of this season is our yearning for Peace on Earth and Goodwill for all. May our prayers be answered.
AMS has a long history of food giving during the holiday season. In the past, for more than 15 years, under the guidance of Ken and Betty-Lou Wiseman we adopted families in the Val Verdes community. These were families suggested by Deputy Rooney of the Val Verdes Youth Activity League. AMS employees generously donated to help the families and enjoyed knowing their donations helped families in need.
Ken and Betty-Lou have retired, and we were incredibly sad to see them go. Ken’s passion for volunteering and Betty-Lou’s dedication to community were so inspiring for us all, and we do miss them! Especially in the holiday season. We’re sure their care for the community is still in their hearts and their actions this year as in the past.
AMS’ Volunteer Committee
The AMS Volunteer Committee traditionally finds new ways to serve the community during this season as they continue the mission of Ken and Betty-Lou. This year the Committee, led by Samantha Hicks, located organizations to donate to and ways of responding to community needs. AMS has relationships with a number of community organizations, and we have knowledge of the needs of our community. We chose the two organizations we believed we could best serve: The Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry and Hope the Mission.
The Committee decided to do a food and clothing drive, arranging for AMS employees to be able to donate canned food and slightly used clothing as well. The food would go to the SCV Food Pantry and the clothing to Hope the Mission. Hope the Mission has thrift stores where they sell donated clothing and give the profits to feed, clothe and shelter people in need.
Our Donation Recipients
The Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry is dedicated to alleviating hunger in Santa Clarita by serving the elderly, often on fixed incomes and faced with the choice of medicine or food, serving working families who earn paychecks that cannot support their basic needs, serving the injured, the disabled, the homeless, and the unemployed – serving those living in uncertainty, looking for assistance and a better life. Readers can visit the SCV Food Pantry website [HERE].
Hope the Mission is committed to offering second chances to everyone they serve, understanding that homelessness and the challenges people face are complex. Sales from our clothing donations helped feed, clothe and shelter men, women, and children here in our local community. Visit the Hope the Mission website [HERE].
Thank You AMS Employees
Samantha had the following to say about this year’s giving. “It really is a group effort. The success of our giving programs is attributed to our volunteer committee, which consists of at least one representative from each facility. They have passion for engaging employees they see every day, making the workplace a positive place to contribute. Collectively we can make a difference.”
Thank you to every volunteer and every employee who donated. AMS wants nothing more than to make a difference in people’s lives and help those most in need! Your donations and your efforts are appreciated!!
December 10th is the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the UN. This was and is a milestone document, proclaiming the inalienable rights of human beings. It is the most translated document in the world, available in more than 500 languages.
Since the adoption of the Declaration on December 10, 1948, human rights have become recognized across the globe. This document has served as a foundation for expanding protections to individuals and groups that are vulnerable and in need of recognition.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is made up of a Preamble and 30 Articles, outlining the protections. The document is far too long to present here, but the first 7 Articles do present a picture of our rights as human beings, as offered by the UN and ratified by the Member States.
Article 1
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
Article 2
Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.
Article 3
Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.
Article 4
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.
Article 5
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Article 6
Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.
Article 7
All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.
It is inspiring and very hopeful for all of us to look at what humanity has achieved in the last 75 years, and even before then as we struggled to being an end to slavery, allow voting rights to women, and so many more steps in climbing this mountain to human rights for everyone, everywhere.
B Corporations and Human Rights
We speak often about our B Corporation values and their relationship to human rights. We would like to share with readers a document published at Bcorporation.net this November entitled “Impact Topic: Human Rights.”
The introduction states, “Human Rights as a topic is central to the concepts of justice, equality, and dignity for all individuals. Whilst historically an implicit topic for B Corp Certification, the latest drafts take a more explicit and concrete stance. Its inclusion as a separate topic aims to ensure B Corps take a much-needed leap forward on human rights due diligence.”
The article goes on to state, “This entails treading carefully, mindful of potential negative impacts on all people that may be affected by a company’s operations: the company’s employees, its supply chain, and any end consumers. It’s a big and perhaps daunting scope, but the key to due diligence is knowing where to focus. And this requires companies to operate with their ‘eyes open’, being self-aware, proactive, and sincere in looking at how their operations touch people’s lives. It also requires constant learning and a commitment to continuous improvement over time. Eventually, Human Rights due diligence should become second nature, much in the same way food safety or financial due diligence have become mainstream expectations of companies.”
Finally, we would like to share a quote from AMS CEO, Jay Catlin.
“As a B Corp, International Human Rights Day has a special meaning to AMS. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights – proclaiming that all human beings are guaranteed dignity and equality – is a statement that AMS will loyally advocate until these rights become reality for everyone.”
We are B Corp Certified and we are proud to be certified. But we also hope for a world in the future where certification has no significance, because everyone is upholding the core values.
Happy Human Rights Day to All. We human beings have grown in 75 years, immeasurably, and may we continue to grow into a world where “Human Rights” is a given.
Yes, AMS Fulfillment worked and changed and seriously tried… and we achieved it!! AMS achieved Carbon Neutral in 2023. How did we do it? We’ll go over what we know, as best we can, and show how AMS achieved this incredible level in our ‘greening’ of the company.
We know that some time ago AMS worked on the lighting in the warehouses, making them more energy efficient. And we know that gas powered equipment has been replaced by electrically powered equipment. We are proud to mention in our blogs that AMS uses, and influences our clients to use, earth friendly packaging. We recycle cardboard and metal, and we monitor lighting and energy use. We have implemented an employee waste disposal program and we have established a Vanpool for our California employees. And, it took some effort, but we found a way to bale and recycle plastic stretch film so that it can be re-made into products and re-used.
We know AMS has brought in some advisors to help us visualize how to make ourselves even greener. Our company has achieved Carbon Neutral status in 2023 and that must have taken some extraordinary steps. How did we do it?
We asked the question and got the answer we were expecting – it was a long and somewhat tedious process of learning, understanding the standards, deciding the approach, measuring, and going through a complex list of requirements. We will try to give a brief look into a lot of hard work!
The Report
AMS was guided through this process by a company called GHD Limited. As we write this blog, we are reviewing a report from GHD Ltd. and AMS Fulfillment, and will begin with the Executive Summary:
“The starting point for every greenhouse gas (GHG) management program or corporate climate commitment is a robust accounting effort of our company’s GHG emissions. Because AMS facilities are leased, and we are a service company, we have documented the specific approach and methodology used to quantify AMS Fulfillment’s (AMS) baseline Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions inventory covering the 2022 calendar year (January to December 2022) and provided a summary of the results.”
AMS is a member of The Climate Registry (TCR) which is a reporting program. This program utilizes an online reporting tool called the Climate Registry Information System (CRIS) to report Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions inventories, and the most recent emission factors within the CRIS database.
It gets complicated, but apparently boundaries are set to determine what GHG emissions are counted and excluded from the GHG inventory. The following is from the report:
“AMS is utilizing the Operational Control approach. These boundaries include facilities where AMS has operational control but does not wholly own facilities. Emissions from leased assets (e.g., leased offices, leased vehicles) are included in the operational boundary if they are operated by AMS – i.e., AMS has operational control of the leased assets (for example occupants can control the amount of electricity consumed such as turn off and on the electrical equipment and lighting in the leased space). Emissions from leased assets over which AMS has no operational control are outside the operational boundary and may optionally be accounted as a Scope 3 activity.
“The assets included within the 2022 inventory were identified by AMS and includes a total of eight sites comprising leased office and warehouse spaces classified as either AMS East or AMS West. AMS also owns two vehicle fleets (east and west) used for the transportation of goods between sites, emissions from these vehicles are also quantified in this inventory.”
The report goes on to say that the AMS’ emissions inventory includes Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions as follows:
– Scope 1 – All direct GHG emissions including: • Stationary combustion of fuel used for heating (Natural Gas) • Mobile combustion of fuels in AMS’ owned and operated vehicle fleets (Gasoline and Diesel) • Mobile combustion of fuel used in AMS’ forklift trucks (propane)
– Scope 2 – Indirect GHG emissions resulting from the generation of electricity used in heating, lighting, and other electrical functions (including forklift trucks) purchased from the local utility.
To quantify the emissions there was a location-based method used and a market-based method:
– Location based i.e., emissions calculated using a national or regional grid average emission factor such as the EPA’s Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID); and
– Market based i.e., reflects the specific electricity purchased and emissions calculated using emissions factors specific to the particular supplier and/or ‘contractual instruments’, which include any type of contract between two parties for the sale and purchase of energy.
All electricity used at each of the sites is purchased from the local utility.
The Results
“Overall, AMS’s operations emitted 439 tCO2e of Scope 1 emissions over the course of the 2022 calendar year, equating to approximately 40% of the total Scope 1 and 2 emissions.
“The largest Scope 1 fuel source consumed by AMS in 2022 was natural gas at 88.32% of the scope 1 total, the majority of which is due to the natural gas consumption of the AMS East facilities (97.14% of total natural gas emissions and 85.79% of the overall Scope 1 emissions) used for comfort heating of the warehouse and office space. The low consumption of natural gas at the AMS West facilities is assumed to be due to the geographical location of the facilities and the limited seasonal heating requirements.”
The Recommendations
“The completion of this inaugural 2022 baseline Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions inventory for AMS provides our company a robust data-focused foundation for effective management of AMS’ GHG emissions, future emission reduction strategies, with the ultimate goal to develop plans that lead to measurable and meaningful reductions in emissions, in absolute terms, before relying on offsets.
Energy management. Enhance energy management oversight including monitoring of energy / GHG data collection and calculation.
Energy efficiency. Identify and implement energy efficiency and conservation measures to avoid and reduce energy demand through a portfolio of short-, mid-, and long-term opportunities.
Emission reduction. Look at opportunities such as asset electrification to further decarbonize.
Renewables. Once feasible energy conservation measures have been exhausted or are otherwise constrained by technology viability or financial or market availability, look to deploy renewable energy supplies either through self-generation (e.g., on-site solar) or purchased through market mechanisms with the appropriate environmental attributes (e.g., Renewable Energy Certificates, Guarantees of Origin).”
That was a Lot!!
Carbon Offsets
“AMS used carbon offsets to offset residual emissions to achieve carbon neutral status. By purchasing carbon offsets, AMS can further reduce our emissions and move toward climate neutrality. We understand offsetting really needs to happen in conjunction with reduction: it should not be a free pass to just continue emitting.”
AMS worked with a company called Anew Climate in purchasing the carbon offsets. The offsets are used for a particular project, and AMS chose Agriculture Forestry and Other Land Use. The report tells us why AMS chose this.
“Three hundred years ago, over half of all habitable land on earth was covered by forests. Today, forests cover just 31% of global land area, only half of which are relatively intact. Agricultural expansion and growing demand for fossil fuels have been major drivers of forest loss. Deforestation underpins many present-day challenges we face such as climate change, drought, extreme weather, pollution, poverty, the spread of disease and more.”
And there we have it! There is much more in the report, but we have covered enough of the story of how AMS achieved Carbon Neutral status in 2023 to give us an idea of the efforts and the process. And the work goes on. AMS takes its commitment to the environment seriously and we walk the walk.
We’d like to give our CEO, Jay Catlin, a pat on the back for this! Thank you, Jay. We’re proud of AMS and grateful to you for keeping Carbon Neutral at the forefront!
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“The young all have the same dream: to save the world. Some business leaders quickly forget this dream, convinced that there are more important needs, like profiting at the expense of our people and planet. With AMS and our B Corp values, it really is possible to make a difference in society and to shape the world we will hand on to future generations.” Author Unknown
In our last blog in this series, we covered three December holidays that may be unfamiliar to many readers. One of the great benefits of cherishing diversity is that we come to know each other. With knowledge comes understanding and with understanding comes respect and appreciation.
This week we’ll cover two celebrations that are familiar to many of us, Chanukah, and Las Posadas, and one we simply experience by being here in the Northern Hemisphere – Solstice. Chanukah begins on December 8th and Las Posadas on December 16th. Solstice is the night of the 21st. We will continue with our glimpses into these celebrations, hopefully answering what is the celebration, why is it important and how is it celebrated.
Chanukah (also spelled Hanukkah)
We’ll begin with Chanukah, which starts at nightfall on December 7th. The celebration will end with nightfall on December 15th. For information on this celebration, we went to the Chabad.org website.
“Chanukah (also spelled Hanukkah) is an 8-day Jewish festival marking the miraculous victory of the Maccabees, Jewish freedom fighters, over the Seleucidian Greek occupiers in the year 139 BCE. After recapturing Jerusalem’s Holy Temple, which had been converted into a place of idol worship, they searched for pure oil with which to light the Temple menorah. They found just enough to burn for one day, but miraculously it burned for eight days until more oil could be brought.”
This holiday is about a miracle – enough oil for one day burned for eight days, and this allowed the people to keep the Temple menorah lit until more oil was found. To celebrate this miracle, Jewish celebrants light special menorahs, adding another flame each night until on the eighth night all of the flames are burning, and the menorah is fully lit. This is done in people’s homes, perhaps near a window so it can be enjoyed by others. After each lighting a blessing is recited.
More traditions have to do with a children’s toy, a small wooden spinning ‘top’ with four Hebrew letters written on it, and special foods that are eaten during the celebration. The foods include potato pancakes called latkes, and it is also customary to consume dairy. According to the article, this has meaning too: “It is also customary to eat dairy on Chanukah, recalling how the brave Yehudit served cheese and wine to a Greek general before defeating him.”
Chanukah’s message is not only the miracle, but the triumph of light over darkness and the freedom to worship. Read more about the celebration [HERE].
Las Posadas (the Inns)
Las Posadas is another religious festival, celebrated by Mexicans, Mexican Americans, and people in parts of Latin America. The word ‘posada’ refers to lodging. The celebration takes us to the part of the Christmas story where Joseph and Mary were making their way from Nazareth to Bethlehem, seeking a safe haven for Mary to give birth. As we know, they were unable to find accommodation and she gave birth in a stable.
We found some interesting historical information at Wikipedia as follows: “In Mexico, the winter solstice festival was one of the most important celebrations of the year that came on December 12 according to the Julian calendar used by the Spanish until 1582. According to the Aztec calendar, Tonantzin (the mother of the gods) was celebrated on the winter solstice, and she is still feted on December 12, while their most important deity, the sun god Huitzilopochtli, was born during the month of December (panquetzaliztli). The parallel in time between this native celebration and the celebration of Christmas lent itself to an almost-seamless merging of the two holidays.”
To celebrate Las Posadas, the journey of Joseph and Mary is reenacted. Starting on December 16th, and continuing for nine days, ending on the 24th, celebrants walk to a different home until, at the last house, they share food and drinks and commence with a very enjoyable celebration. At the end of the journey Christmas carols are sung, children break open star-shaped piñatas, and everyone sits for a feast.
Wikipedia describes the dramatization of the story: “Two people dress up as Mary and Joseph and certain houses are designated to be “inns”; the head of the procession carries a candle inside a paper shade. The actors travel to one house each night for nine nights. At each house, the resident responds by singing a song and the pair are recognized and allowed to enter; the group of guests come into the home and kneel around the Nativity scene to pray. The final location may be a church instead of a home.” Read more about Las Posadas [HERE].
Solstice
December 21st is the shortest day and the longest night of the year, and it is the natural world’s signal that the light will be returning. In ancient times it was celebrated with rituals and traditions. The Christmas tree does have its origin in these traditions, decorated with candles and ornaments symbolizing the sun, moon and stars as well as remembrances of loved ones. The pine wreath and pinecone decorations with candles also began as Solstice traditions.
At Brittanica.com we read about present day celebrations of Solstice in Arizona, in the Hopi Indian culture: “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.”
The article also mentions the Persian festival of Yalda. It is described as having ancient origins, celebrating the victory of light over dark. Families eat special foods like nuts and pomegranates and some stay awake all night to welcome the sun. Also we read the following about Solstice in China: “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.” Read more about Solstice [HERE].
Solstice is a night for us all, containing the promise of light and warmth to come as we enter the Winter season.
If you celebrate Chanukah, Las Posadas or Solstice, we hope you have a wonderful celebration!
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We have just glimpsed three beautiful celebrations, religious and spiritual, historic and natural. The celebrations in Series #2 reveal a flow of grace when the soul is challenged with difficult circumstances. As readers may recall, previously we saw the beauty and divinity of giving, generously, to those who are in need, as well as the value of an enlightened mind.
What treasures we find in cultures and holiday celebrations practiced in our diverse world. Our next blog in the series will cover Christmas, Kwanzaa and Three Kings Day, taking us into the New Year! More to come.
December holidays go from fun, to fascinating, to sacred. As the days turn colder and the coats come out, holidays and celebrations serve to keep the spirits up. Winter festivals exist for a reason!
One can enjoy glimpses into cultures through learning about celebrations in December, so let’s look at a list of the celebrations we have found. Answering ‘what’ is the celebration, ‘why’ and ‘how’ is it celebrated serves to broaden our knowledge of the human families. Coming to know each other is one of the rewards of a commitment to diversity.
Cultural holidays in December
Chanukah / Hanukkah – December 8-15 Kwaanza – December 26 through January 1 St. Nicholas Day – December 6 Las Posadas – December 16-24 Bodhi Day – December 8 Christmas – December 25 December Solstice – December 21 Three Kings Day – January 6 Santa Lucia Day – December 13
In this writing we will cover St. Nicholas Day, Bodhi Day, and Santa Lucia Day. In future blogs we will go into Chanukah / Hanukkah, Las Posadas, Kwaanza, Christmas, Solstice, and Three Kings Day. We will attempt to answer our what, why and how questions.
St. Nicholas Day
Saint Nicholas is the person who inspired the Santa Claus character, although the story of the Saint has only one similarity to the Santa story. Saint Nicholas Day, also called the Feast of Sinterklaas (Dutch pronunciation), is celebrated at the beginning of the Advent season (December 6 or December 19 on the Julian calendar). Saint Nicholas was a bishop who gave generously and anonymously to the needy and to children. He was officially recognized as a saint in the 800s, and in the 1200s, Catholics in France began celebrating Bishop Nicholas Day on December 6.
Still today, in many countries in Europe, the Feast of Sinterklass is celebrated starting on December 5th. On this evening children put out their shoes with food for the saint’s horse in exchange for small gifts. One of the advantages of this early gift-giving in Advent is that Christmas on the 25th can focus on the sacred, spiritual meaning.
As to who invented Santa Claus, we asked Google and we’ll go with that answer: “The current depiction of Santa Claus is based on images drawn by cartoonist Thomas Nast for Harper’s Weekly beginning in 1863. Nast’s Santa owed much to the description given in the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (also known as “’Twas the Night Before Christmas”), first published in 1823.” More on St. Nicholas Day can be found [HERE].
Bodhi Day
Many of us are familiar with the story of Prince Siddhartha, who achieved enlightenment and was recognized as the Buddha. Bodhi refers to the Bodhi tree, a type of fig tree, which is where Siddhartha would sit in meditation. Bodhi Day is usually celebrated on December 8th, by Mahayana Buddhists, mainly residing in China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam. There are also communities in the United States, Canada, and Europe who celebrate Bodhi Day.
Bodhi Day is not commemorated with gifts and meals, but instead is celebrated in a calm and commemorative manner. It is a day for meditation, prayer, and contemplation of the nature of enlightenment. Some may go to the temple, and in some Buddhist homes the families may light candles, string lights to symbolize the Buddha’s path to enlightenment or light a single candle for 30 days. The meal will be of rice and milk to symbolize the first meal that the Buddha ate after he reached enlightenment. The Gautama Buddha story is beautiful, and readers can enjoy more of the story [HERE].
Santa Lucia Day
St. Lucia Day is observed on December 13 in Sweden and Norway, named after its patron saint, celebrating her life and death. St. Lucia is also the patron saint of Malta. She was a young Christian martyr who died during the persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire. There is much more to the story.
Like St. Nicholas, she gave her wealth to the poor and needy. Readers may have seen an image of a woman walking, with a wreath of candles on her head, carrying something in her hands. That image is St. Lucia. She is known for taking food to the Christians hiding in the catacombs, and when she did, she wore a wreath of candles to light her way and carried as much food as possible.
According to the story, she was to marry a pagan man, and he felt she was giving away his dowry, so he reported her to the Roman authorities. She was put to death. Later she became a widely venerated saint. Today the National Festival of Lights and Renewal is held the evening before Saint Lucia day, December 13. Readers can find the full story [HERE].
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We hope you enjoyed these stories showing how the human families in our diverse world celebrate during the month of December. In the two saints we see the beauty and divinity of giving, generously, to those who are in need. And in Gautama Buddha we see the beauty and value of an enlightened mind. There is more to come!
