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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 8^th and Las Posadas on December 16^th. Solstice is the night of the 21^st. 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 7^th. The celebration will end with nightfall on December 15^th. 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 16^th, and continuing for nine days, ending on the 24^th, 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 21^st 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 5^th. 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 25^th 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 8^th, 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!

We often pay attention to the United Nations commemorative days, as they are calling for awareness of things in our world that need to change. At AMS Fulfillment we are committed to playing a role in the change we wish to see in the world.  

Starting November 25 and extending to December 10, the UN is asking people to join in 16 days of activism. “The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women will mark the launch of the UNITE campaign (Nov 25- Dec 10) — an initiative of 16 days of activism concluding on the day that commemorates the International Human Rights Day (10 December). 

“This 2023 campaign Invest to Prevent Violence against Women & Girls will call on citizens to show how much they care about ending violence against women and girls and call on governments worldwide to share how they are investing in gender-based violence prevention. Join the global movement with the #NoExcuse slogan calling for urgent investments to prevent violence against women and girls.” The UNITE page is well worth a visit [HERE]. 

The UN General Assembly issued the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence Against Women in 1993. The full text is available [HERE].

Article 3 

“Women are entitled to the equal enjoyment and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field. These rights include, inter alia: 

1. The right to life;  
2. The right to equality;  
3. The right to liberty and security of person;  
4. The right to equal protection under the law;  
5. The right to be free from all forms of discrimination;  
6. The right to the highest standard attainable of physical and mental health;  
7. The right to just and favorable conditions of work;  
8. The right not to be subjected to torture, or other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.” 

According to the UN, violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world, with an estimated 736 million women having been subjected to physical and/or sexual violence at least once in their lives. This is a horrible statistic, and our thoughts go to child and human trafficking in the US as a severe present-day contributor. The solution, according to the UN, lies in robust responses, including investment in prevention.  

The article goes on to say, “While gender-based violence can happen to anyone, anywhere, some women and girls are particularly vulnerable – for instance, young girls and older women, women who identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender or intersex, migrants and refugees, indigenous women and ethnic minorities, or women and girls living with HIV and disabilities, and those living through humanitarian crises.” 

The History

Let’s take a look at history in order to understand why we’re still dealing with this in 2023. 

At one point in time, women were property that could be owned by a man. While ownership goes back to the Roman Empire, we need go back no further than 18^th century English laws, which allowed a man to “discipline” his wife with a stick or whip. By 1920 we had advanced far enough for it to be illegal, in the US, for a man to physically abuse his wife. It took until the 1970s for real attention to be given to the problem. It wasn’t until 1994 that the Violence Against Women Act was passed and signed by President Clinton. That bill provided services and care for victims, and funding for prosecuting the perpetrators.  

So, this problem is an old one. As with so many things in our world, within history we can see the growth and evolution of humanity. Not one of us is “less than” another. May we come fully to that realization one day. Over the centuries we have engaged in battle for a better world, and the battle continues, as it should.

A Better World at AMS

We are more than a little fond of the women (and the men) working at AMS Fulfillment, and we hope that no one is experiencing abuse of any kind. AMS has strong protections in place for our employees. First of all we provide a free Employee Assistance Program (EAP) with a confidential call line – 800-316-2796 – for any employee who is experiencing physical/emotional abuse at home, or has a family member in distress and is seeking counseling.

At work: AMS has harassment policies in place and these policies are outlined in our new hire orientation training. We also have required sexual harassment training; Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity (JEDI) training; and in 2024 we will begin Mental Health First Aid training for employees. These are in addition to extensive safety training.

We care about our employees at AMS, and we encourage any employee who feels they are being mistreated in the workplace to reach out to their leader, or any leader, or talk to Human Resources. HR will investigate and take timely and appropriate action.

#NoExcuse

It is painful to think of women and girls being trafficked in the US, right now, and women in some countries still being oppressed and enduring “less than” status. We encourage readers to visit the UNITY website [HERE] and see if there is some action you would like to take in addition to using the #NoExcuse slogan during this time period. 

Black Friday is a big day in the retail world – and a favorite of the in-person shoppers looking for that long-awaited ‘deal’. Cyber Monday is a big day for ecommerce retailers and a favorite of online ‘deal’ shoppers! At AMS we’ve been preparing for these shopping events for a good long time, and now they’re here and we’re busy!! As we pause for a breath, we’re wondering… where did these “days” come from? Whose idea was it to offer steep price reductions for the day, or the weekend after Thanksgiving?

After doing some searching, we found out that Philadelphia was where the idea first started. Here’s the story according to History.com.

“The real history behind Black Friday, however, is not as sunny as retailers might have you believe. Back in the 1950s, police in the city of Philadelphia used the term to describe the chaos that ensued on the day after Thanksgiving, when hordes of suburban shoppers and tourists flooded into the city in advance of the big Army-Navy football game held on that Saturday every year. Not only were Philly cops not able to take the day off, but they had to work extra-long shifts dealing with the additional crowds and traffic. Shoplifters also took advantage of the bedlam in stores and made off with merchandise, adding to the law enforcement headache.

“By 1961, “Black Friday” had caught on in Philadelphia, to the extent that the city’s merchants and boosters tried unsuccessfully to change it to “Big Friday” in order to remove the negative connotations. The term didn’t spread to the rest of the country until much later, however, and as recently as 1985 it wasn’t in common use nationwide. Sometime in the late 1980s, however, retailers found a way to reinvent Black Friday and turn it into something that reflected positively, rather than negatively, on them and their customers. The result was the “red to black” concept of the holiday mentioned earlier, and the notion that the day after Thanksgiving marked the occasion when America’s stores finally turned a profit.” 

We could reflect on why the color black had negative connotations since Black is all colors combined, and quite an important color indeed. But leaving that thought, as said in the quote, being “in the black” in accounting is definitely a positive, one that every retailer, in-store and online aims for. The article continues…

“The Black Friday story stuck, and pretty soon the term’s roots in Philadelphia were largely forgotten. Since then, the one-day sales bonanza has morphed into a four-day event and spawned other “retail holidays” such as Small Business Saturday/Sunday and Cyber Monday. Stores started opening earlier and earlier on that Friday, and now the most dedicated shoppers can head out right after their Thanksgiving meal.”

We hope that this Black Friday, Small Business Saturday/Sunday, Shop for Good Sunday, and Cyber Monday are everything that the retailers have hoped for. As a fulfillment company, AMS is hugely involved in these high sales days. We serve B2B, B2C, ecommerce, omnichannel and we’re hard at work serving our clients during this season and appreciating it! We’ll be hard at work from now on through the coming season of giving, making sure the gifts arrive on time and in perfect condition.

Earlier we talked about Shop for Good Sunday [LINK] so now let’s take a quick look at where Cyber Monday came from. Who came up with that idea? We found some good information at Reader’s Digest. Apparently last year Americans spent more than $9 Billion on Cyber Monday, and this year the expectation is for even greater sales. Here’s the story:

“Thank Ellen Davis, senior vice president of research and strategic initiatives for the National Retail Federation, who coined the term in 2005. For several years in a row, the NRF had noticed a recurring spike in online revenue and traffic on the Monday following Thanksgiving. They believed it was because people were making purchases from their computers at work, where the Internet connections were faster and their kids couldn’t get a sneak peek at their gifts.

“The group issued a press release a few days before Thanksgiving, 2005, where they debuted the term “Cyber Monday.” According to the press release, 77 percent of online retailers had seen their sales “increase substantially” on Cyber Monday the previous year and by NRF calculations could expect the trend to continue.”

A good idea is a good idea!! All four of these ‘super shopping’ days give the people reduced prices, making a lot of Christmas dreams come true that otherwise might not have been possible. They also give the retailers a boost with their accounting in the black. And finally, the fulfillment companies get a challenge they are happy and prepared to meet.

With more than 20 years in the business, AMS knows how to give both the shoppers and the AMS clients a very successful holiday season. Have fun shopping this weekend and be sure to visit the Shop for Good website on Sunday and enjoy all of the wonderful gifts sold by B Corporations!

Yes, AMS Fulfillment is a B Corporation, and that fact is an extra plus for our clients, employees, community and the environment.

It’s Thanksgiving tomorrow and we wish every employee, client, friend, and guest a day to be thankful for! Whether you’re enjoying the traditional meal with family and friends or going out for your meal – have a wonderful time! If you aren’t celebrating this holiday… have a great day off! Thanksgiving is special for many reasons, and we’ll look into some of the things that make it a cherished holiday.

Harvest

Thanksgiving is a holiday we love, but what is the meaning of it? Obviously, in this diverse world, it means different things to different people. But one thing that we do have in common is recognition of the harvest. We are celebrating the Earth and the wonderful harvest that comes after Summer in the Northern Hemisphere. This harvest will keep us sustained during the Winter season, when we live on the stored harvest until the sun returns. So, one thing Thanksgiving means is recognition of the abundant Earth and our gratitude for her abundance – thank you for sustaining us. 

Home

Another meaning of Thanksgiving, for so many of us, is return to family and sometimes return to home, for dinner with Mom and Dad and the family. As Dorothy said, “There’s no place like home.” Those of us who have this option are fortunate indeed. Thanksgiving provides a whole lot of memories!! It’s no wonder that gratitude for family is so strong when we can enjoy the holiday with family as a tradition.

History

Now let’s have a look at the history and see if there is meaning to be found in that. Is there anything to be thankful for? From the History.com website we find the following:  

“In November 1621, after the Pilgrims’ first corn harvest proved successful, Governor William Bradford organized a celebratory feast and invited a group of the fledgling colony’s Native American allies, including the Wampanoag chief Massasoit. Now remembered as America’s “first Thanksgiving”—although the Pilgrims themselves may not have used the term at the time—the festival lasted for three days. 

“While no record exists of the first Thanksgiving’s exact menu, much of what we know about what happened at the first Thanksgiving comes from Pilgrim chronicler Edward Winslow, who wrote: Historians have suggested that many of the dishes were likely prepared using traditional Native American spices and cooking methods. Because the Pilgrims had no oven and the Mayflower’s sugar supply had dwindled by the fall of 1621, the meal did not feature pies, cakes, or other desserts, which have become a hallmark of contemporary celebrations.” 

So, it appears that at the first celebration, when the Pilgrims first arrived and were trying to get established, some still living on ships, severely lacking in food and supplies, they were helped by the Native Americans and food was shared. This is a beautiful thing, generous and humane, for which we can be grateful.  

Honesty

Now we move on with the story, in the knowledge that a great deal happened after that. We return to the History website for more. 

“Some Native Americans and many others take issue with how the Thanksgiving story is presented to the American public, and especially to schoolchildren. In their view, the traditional narrative paints a deceptively sunny portrait of relations between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people, masking the long and bloody history of conflict between Native Americans and European settlers that resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands. Since 1970, protesters have gathered on the day designated as Thanksgiving at the top of Cole’s Hill, which overlooks Plymouth Rock, to commemorate a ‘National Day of Mourning.’ Similar events are held in other parts of the country.” 

Let’s be honest. In the USA there is a lot of ‘water under the bridge’ regarding injustice, oppression, enslavement, and racism. Looking back, we see not only the wrongs that were done, but along with that, thankfully, we see our efforts to change things and make the world a better place. African men, women and children were enslaved, Native Americans saw their lives and their ways of life come to an end, women were kept down, not being able to vote or own property. There were a lot of struggles to come. 

Humanity

Through the years we saw battles against injustice and inspiring growth in our awareness and humanity – slowly the world changed, and we the people changed it. We can be thankful for that and thankful that the effort still goes on to correct the wrongs. We’re quite aware… the job isn’t done. We wish to see a world of justice, fairness, humanity, diversity, and appreciation for one another and our shared planet. 

AMS is a B Corporation, which essentially means that we are committed to ‘B the Change’ that we wish to see in the world. Even that is something to be thankful for – corporations can play a role in changing the world and we are doing it! We are joined with other B Corporations, making the change we wish to see, as best we can.  

Thanksgiving

Thankful for the Earth and her harvest, thankful for family and home, thankful for history and the possibility of change, thankful that we can be a part of the change, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! 

B Corporations are offering an alternative to Black Friday, and we’re happy to be able to tell readers about it. For the second year in a row, there are B Corp alternatives listed at a website called DoneGood. They list gifts for her, for him, for teen girls and boys, for kids, for moms, dads, teachers and for the hosts of your holiday parties. Also, we find gifts for the active explorer, for the foodie, the earth lover, the mindful, and gifts under $50. Click [HERE] for the gift guides.

According to B the Change, “The Sunday after Thanksgiving—this year November 26—Shop for Good Sunday is dedicated to celebrating and supporting the growing number of socially and environmentally responsible businesses: Companies that pay good wages, invest in communities and use highly eco-friendly production processes.”

AMS is a B Corporation, and we understand the effort and commitment it takes to be one. We must say, it is and has always been a rewarding effort for us – we love being a B Corporation. Rather than focusing on profit above all, the AMS stakeholders are 1) our employees, 2) our community, 3) the environment, 4) our clients and 5) ourselves.

The B the Change article goes on to say, “Together, over 125 companies and major nonprofit organizations that are leading the business-as-a-force-for-good movement—including 1% for the Planet, Oxfam, the Social Enterprise Alliance, Rainforest Alliance, Mashable, Indigenous, MPOWERD, Preserve, Prosperity Candle, Tuckerman & Co, DoneGood and many others—are working together to promote the idea that directing our purchasing power to support mission-driven brands makes a huge difference for people and the planet, especially during the holiday season.”

We have looked through the gifts and they are unique, beautiful and reasonably priced, made by companies with a conscience. Like AMS, these are businesses that hire a diverse workforce, pay their employees fairly and offer good benefits, work to be of service to their communities, do everything they can to be ‘green’ and environmentally conscious, and highly value and respect their clients, which in this case is the customer.

Once again, from B the Change: “We believe the brands participating in Shop for Good Sunday are making higher quality, more unique gifts than what you’d find from a typical big box store anyway. And many of them are also offering special Shop for Good Sunday discounts (so yeah, it’s still a little like Black Friday …).”

Something else to give this shopping an extra plus, is that the companies have promised to donate all the revenue they generate through the Shop for Good Sunday gift shop on Sunday the 26th to an organization called RAINN. This organization, linked [HERE] is recognized as America’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. This fact alone is certainly a motivation to buy a unique and quality gift.

We’re happily heading into Thanksgiving week, and Black Friday. We hope you find every gift you want at a fantastic price, and we also hope you’ll check out some of the businesses at Shop for Good (DoneGood.co).

As consumers, we do vote with our dollars. Shop for Good is an opportunity to get our loved ones a gift they’ll love, while getting all of us the ‘B the Change’ gift of the world we wish to see.

Thank you for your exemplary performance during the month of October: Ignacio F., Christopher A., Adam H., Osiris O., Madeline S., Bob K., Aja W., Anthony W., Jada T. and Dallas U.

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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Ignacio F., Inventory Receiving Supervisor (07/06/2021), HQ, Valencia, CA

We have chosen for Ignacio to be employee of the month in October because of his promptness and enthusiasm to help. As a supervisor, he demonstrates an inclusive work culture and brings joy into the workplace. He communicates with positivity and professionalism, is a team player, reliable, and is a pleasure to work with. Thank you, Ignacio, for all your efforts, you are truly appreciated!

Christopher A., Maintenance Technician I (03/24/2023), LIV, Valencia, CA

Chris has been a team player. Chris works very hard to make sure that Facilities meets the needs of all our warehouses. He can be counted on to plan out assignments, gather materials and tools, and keep the projects moving forward. Chris has been instrumental in all the successful changes that have taken place in Facilities, and his attitude has helped to build the camaraderie and a strong work ethic amongst his fellow team members. He definitely deserves Employee of the Month.

Adam H., Operations Associate III (11/15/2018), WIL, Valencia, CA

We nominate Adam because his performance stands out with efficiency and dedication, which has led him to have a positive impact on our team. He is an outstanding person in our building. He is always on time, willing to stay late and work on the weekend if necessary. He can pick-pack and ship any client in our building. Adam is a great worker who always contributes more. It is a pleasure to work with him. Thank you Adam for being part of our team.

Osiris O., Operations Associate II (03/01/2023), WIT, Valencia, CA

Osiris is an excellent team player, and she is our nomination for employee of the Month for October. Her commitment to get the job done quickly, and efficiently is unlike any other. No matter the task you give her, she gives her 100%. Osiris is friendly and does not mind helping others when is help is needed. She always has a smile and positive attitude at work.

Madeline S., Account Coordinator I (09/09/2020), Client Services, AMS West

Our nomination is for Madeline S. for October Employee of the Month. We have had a lot of changes within our team and Maddy has been the best team player. She demonstrates ownership and leadership in work, and we are so happy to have her on our team. Thank you for all your hard work, Maddy! It does not go unnoticed.

Bob K., IT Support II (09/27/2004), IT, AMS East

Bob is part of the IT department and assists in all the Delaware locations. While he’ll tell you he is “only one man” Bob makes himself available in Boulden in the morning, runs to Newark in the afternoon, and swings by Churchman’s on his way back to Boulden. Bob does his rounds every morning in Boulden to check in with each department and make sure all the hardware is running properly and takes a moment to see how WE are doing, not just our equipment. Sometimes IT is not recognized because they are working behind the scenes, but when they are not here, we are unable to function. Bob is such a vital part of our organization, and we appreciate him!

Aja W., Operations Associate II (06/20/2023), Churchman’s, DE

Aja has grown into a leader on second shift, and she is always willing to come in early, on her days off, and stay late. Aja started as a temp and is now one of the greatest assets CT B2B has at Churchman’s. She takes time to help others whenever she is asked for help, and she goes above and beyond to do what needs to be done in CT B2B.

Anthony W., Exact Staff (09/05/2023), Newark, DE

Anthony has been a part of the team for a couple months now and has done an amazing job, not only does he do his duties as an Operations Associate, but he goes above and beyond helping with inventory issues, returns, and training other associates. He is always eager to learn something new and will take on more challenges. He maintains a positive attitude, shows up on time or early every day, and is always willing to help with whatever you need him for. We appreciate you and all your efforts! Thanks, Anthony.

Jada T., Operations Associate I (11/01/2021), New Castle, DE

Jada has grown with the responsibility of bringing LALO orders to BOU. She has taken the lead to pack and ship orders, and she has been doing a tremendous job! Her hard work and leadership skills is natural, and I know her skill set will develop into doing great things for AMS. We appreciate you, Jada, keep shining!

Dallas U., Operations Manager I (11/15/2020), New Holland, PA

We are nominating Dallas for October Employee of the Month because he has excelled in his responsibilities to include other aspects of the operations, and he continues to use all the skills he’s learned during his time with AMS. He has drive, spirit, and commitment; all qualities of a great leader!

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

Keep up the great work!

Twenty years ago we saw the beginning of a movement in support of men’s health, especially prostate cancer, advanced and popularized by men growing a mustache during November. The campaign was called Movember. Perhaps some of our readers remember Movember and growing a mustache in support of men’s health.

Today we don’t find many men growing the symbolic mustache, but we do find the Movember website, which is very informative with regard to men’s health. An alternative also exists. According to the American Cancer Fund, the campaign is also called “No-shave November” during which men let their beards grow as well.

Whatever the campaign is called, whether it’s the mustache or beard that grows, we support a focus on men’s health any time of the year. Here’s what Awareness Days has to say about it:

“Movember originated in Australia in 2003 when a group of friends decided to grow mustaches to raise awareness about prostate cancer and depression in men. It has since evolved into a global movement with millions of participants and supporters. Movember has funded numerous men’s health projects and initiatives and has become a symbol of solidarity and awareness.

“Over the years, Movember has contributed to significant advancements in men’s health research and has encouraged men to take charge of their well-being.”

There are a lot of wonderful men at AMS Fulfillment, and we want them to live long and in good health. We’re all familiar with the pink ribbon and breast cancer awareness. The pink ribbon has been a very successful advocacy symbol, but not so for the Movember mustache. Not nearly enough is said about men’s health and the main causes of cancer in men. We hope to make up for that, at least a little, by giving the men a signal… It’s your month!!! We care about You too!!

Here are some of the not so good facts about men’s health. Men seek medical care less frequently than women, including both preventative and sick visits. The reasons might range from wanting to ‘tough it out’ to feeling like he can’t take time from work. Women outlive men by five years, and the reluctance to see a doctor is likely a contributor to that statistic.

The following is from Wikipedia: “Besides annual check-ups, the Movember Foundation encourages men to be aware of family history of cancer and to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Using the mustache as the driving symbol of the movement, Movember focuses on the three key areas of prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention. Since inception, the Movember Foundation has raised $837 million and funded over 1,200 projects in more than 20 countries.”

The focus of both Movember and No-Shave November is to encourage men to give more attention to their health. Go ahead and ask your doctor about the prostate cancer test if you’re over 50, or if you have African ancestry have the test after age 40, as your risk is higher. Often, early prostate cancer causes no issues or symptoms – so it’s important to check in with your doctor even if you’re feeling fine. As in breast cancer for women, early detection is key.

The Movember website is an excellent resource on men’s health, and we encourage a visit [HERE]. There is also some very good information on prostate health, prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health at the Weill Cornell Medicine website [HERE].

AMS Fulfillment is a great place to work when it comes to healthcare coverage. Go ahead, make that appointment and get checked out. We’ve got you covered. Also, for anyone who is experiencing anxiety and/or depression, we have an Employee Assistance Program wherein employees and family members can get free counseling and help. Contact your AMS HR representative for more about EAP.

Let’s make the mustache as significant as the pink ribbon and support men’s health. AMS has made our donation to Movember.com and we invite you to join us!! And one more thing… mustaches and beards can be really good looking. Just sayin’ …

AMS Fulfillment is very appreciative of a diverse workforce and appreciative of the diversity in our world as well. In the past we have explored cultural celebrations to learn about and enjoy our beautiful human family with all of its beliefs, foods, and celebrations.

We will soon be enjoying Thanksgiving and Christmas, and we love these family-oriented holidays at AMS. But as we celebrate, we ask what are other Peoples, of differing cultures and religions in other countries, celebrating during this Fall to Wintertime period? Learning about each other is one of the best ways we know to ‘B The Change’ we want to see in the world.

On Sunday the 12^th we saw the largest ever Diwali celebration at the White House. That inspired us to look at one of the most enjoyable festivals in our diverse world – the Hindu celebration called the Festival of Lights, Diwali or Deepavali. This writing is for those of us who are not familiar with the holiday, and the information is primarily from the India Times website.

Diwali is a five-day festival that usually falls in October or November, depending on the lunar calendar. It is celebrated from November 12^th to November 16^th this year. It is celebrated across America and hopefully more than a few of us have been able to see the Diwali fireworks display and enjoy some parts of these celebrations.

The Festival of Lights is celebrated not only by people of the Hindu religion, but also by Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists. It is focused primarily on a Goddess named Lakshimi, who represents prosperity and wealth. When people celebrate, it is Lakshimi’s blessing that is sought. The Festival of Lights is for Her – the giver of prosperity.

What happens on the Five Days?

The first day of Diwali is called Dhanteras. The Lord Dhanvantari is worshipped on this day, and he is the god of medicine and health. This first day is an auspicious day to buy gold and silver, items of jewelry or perhaps table utensils.

Choti Dawali is the name of the second day, and it is also known as Kali Chaudas. On this day people take an early morning bath and light oil lamps, called diyas, and candles to ward off evil spirits. They spend the day cleaning the house. Old and unwanted things in the house are sorted out and gotten rid of. This day there are both a god and a goddess worshipped – Goddess Kali and Lord Hanuman.

The third day, November 14^th is called Diwali, and it is the main event of the festival. This is the day that the Goddess Lakshimi is worshipped, as we say, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. The people wear new clothes on Diwali and the households and businesses will be illuminated with oil lamps and candles.

The fourth day of Diwali is named Govardhan Puja and it is also known as Annakut. This is the day when the Lord Krishna is worshipped. The celebrants make generous amounts of food, vegetables and different grains, and the food is an offering to Lord Krishna.

The final day of Diwali is called Bhai Dooj. It is dedicated to the bond between sisters and brothers. In the households, the sisters apply the vermillion mark, called tilak, on their brother’s forehead and they pray for his wellbeing. In return, the brothers give their sisters gifts.

Quoting from the India Times, a bit of the history of Diwali:

“The origins of Diwali can be traced back to ancient Hindu mythology. According to legend, Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, returned to his kingdom of Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana. The people of Ayodhya welcomed Lord Rama by lighting diyas (earthen lamps) and decorating their houses with rangolis (colored patterns). This event is believed to have occurred on the day of Amavasya (new moon day) in the Hindu month of Kartik, which is why Diwali is celebrated during this time.

“Deepavali: This term is commonly used in South India and in some Southeast Asian countries with a significant Indian population. ‘Deepavali’ is the original Sanskrit name of the festival, where ‘Deepa’ means ‘lamp’ or ‘light,’ and ‘Avali’ means ‘a row’ or ‘a series’. It refers to the rows of lamps and lights that are lit during the festival to symbolize the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.”

Victory of Light over Darkness

We hope that all celebrants enjoy this wonderful festival celebrating the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Like Thanksgiving and Christmas, this celebration has many rich traditions and cultural practices. Once again from the Times we list some key aspects of Diwali tradition and culture:

– The lighting of Lamps and Fireworks
– Puja (Prayers) and Worship
– Exchange of Gifts and Sweets
– Traditional Attire
– Family Gatherings and Festive Feasts
– Diwali Fairs and Cultural Performances
– Charity and Philanthropy

The lights of the Festival of Lights represent our own inner light, protecting us from spiritual darkness. It is a wonderful time for families and friends to come together to exchange gifts and share delicious sweets and delicacies.

This [LINK] is a brief and enjoyable video about Diwali.

To all celebrants, have a wonderful Festival of Lights!

Veterans Day is here and all of us at AMS would like to salute and thank the US military veterans among us. Our salute goes out to all AMS employees who have served in the US Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard and the reserve units of the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. We thank you for putting your life on the line to support US interests abroad and keep us safe and protected at home.

We could look into how Veterans Day came to be, but instead of looking at the history let’s do something different this year and look at the Veterans themselves and see how we might care for and appreciate them.

What Injuries do Veterans suffer from?

As they say, “Freedom isn’t free.” The veterans served us, and how can we now serve them? First we need to ask, what injuries do veterans suffer from the most? Our answer came from Medline:

“Shrapnel and gunshot wounds, lost limbs, head and brain injuries, tinnitus and hearing loss, sprains and strains, and limited range of motion and exposure to environmental hazards.” The article goes on to say, “Being in combat and being separated from your family can be stressful. The stress can put service members and veterans at risk for mental health problems. These include anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and substance use. Suicide can also be a concern.” To find out more, click HERE.

What about Veteran homelessness?

We have also heard about homelessness among veterans. At Greendoors we found the following regarding veteran homelessness. We encourage readers to read the entire article as it is informative, surprising and incredibly sad. Below is an excerpt:

“Veterans between the ages of 18 and 30 are twice as likely as adults in the general population to be homeless, and the risk of homelessness increases significantly among young veterans who are poor.” The article goes on to ask how many veterans are homeless? The answer: “While only 8% of Americans can claim veteran status, 17% of our homeless population is made up of veterans. In 2010, the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) estimated that on any given night there were 76,000 homeless veterans sleeping on American streets.” Visit the Greendoors website and read more HERE.

We might ask, what is the primary cause of veteran homelessness? The obvious answer is poverty, but another reason is that veterans lack support networks. How can we help? For answers on how to contribute to support networks we went to three different websites, Wounded Warrior Project, Vehicles for Veterans and National Veterans Foundation.

Offering Several ways to help Veterans

At Wounded Warrior Project we see the opportunity to donate and have your gift matched. Quoting from the website: “Many of the veterans who fought for us returned home with life-changing injuries. We can never repay them for their extraordinary sacrifices. But we can show our gratitude by providing them with the free WWP programs and services they urgently need. Your Veterans Day gift will be matched $1-for-$1 up to $200,000 by the Blue Angels Foundation in support of our Warrior Care Network.” Visit the Wounded Warrior Project HERE.

At Vehicles for Veterans we find the following: “You can help disabled veterans by donating a car, truck, boat, RV, ATV, or motorcycle to Vehicles For Veterans, whether the vehicle runs or not. Thousands of veterans across the country rely on funding from the programs which Vehicles For Veterans benefits. Give back to those who gave everything to the country today! Donations from people like you and your community can help to bring assistance to every veteran in need!” Visit Vehicles for Veterans HERE.

And finally, at National Veterans Foundation we find a list of ten different things people can do to help veterans in their area, from providing transportation to providing food to doing home repairs to visiting a wounded vet in a facility nearby. We encourage visiting the website and finding ways to help in your area. Click HERE for the National Veterans Foundation website.

Thank You for Your Service to all Veterans working at AMS Fulfillment. And Thank You for Your Service to all Vets.

Let’s ask one last question. Does AMS Fulfillment reach out to Veterans organizations to hire vets? The answer is absolutely Yes!! On both coasts AMS HR works with Goodwill, as they provide training targeted toward veterans with disabilities. AMS HR Departments also work with the VA in Los Angeles and Delaware as well as the VA Shelters. We have worked to hire veterans for years, and homeless vets as well. AMS is a B Corporation, aiming to ‘do good’ for the world, and caring for and about our veterans is high on the list.

Thank you to LaTanya Warren, AMS East Human Resources Manager, for offering her view on hiring veterans and valuing a diverse workforce:

“Hiring a diverse workforce is important to us because it shows that a company values and encourages the differences in its employees. Companies that prioritize diversity are often more attractive to a wider pool of candidates, including those who value inclusivity and equality. Diversity brings together individuals with unique perspectives, backgrounds and experiences who often feel more engaged and valued when their unique contributions are recognized and appreciated.”

Have an enjoyable Veterans Day!

The month of November is recognized as Native American Heritage Month. What can we learn, and what can we do this month to acknowledge the history and ‘B the Change’? What change would we like to see in the world with regard to the Native Peoples who populated the Americas? We live in a continuously changing world, as continuously evolving human beings. Many efforts are being made to recognize the wrongs of the past and we deeply appreciate those efforts and join in them.

We visited several websites to learn what is being done to acknowledge and uplift Native Peoples during this month. Our first visit was to the US Census. At this website we found out how the commemorative month came to exist, and we learned the numbers of individuals and numbers of tribes.

“The first American Indian Day was celebrated in May 1916 in New York. The event culminated an effort by Red Fox James, a member of the Blackfeet Nation, who rode across the nation on horseback seeking approval from 24 state governments to have a day to honor American Indians. In 1990, more than seven decades later, then-President George H.W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution designating the month of November ‘National American Indian Heritage Month’.”

Today the commemorative month is called “American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month.” We encourage you to visit this website for some educational information. Click HERE.

Our next visit was to the US Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Native Americans. At this website we have access to a number of webinars scheduled over the month. The theme is “Seeds” and over the month the organization will feature five different speakers. We encourage you to visit this website and perhaps join in some of the webinars, which look like they will be rich with information and learning. You can visit the website and register for the webinars HERE.

Our next visit was to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America whose website offers children and parents ways to celebrate Native American Heritage this month. As #1 they offer links to information about what Native boys and girls are doing in their Boys & Girls Clubs. Here children can learn what it’s like to be a Native young person today. The #2 category is an interactive map to see what tribal land you are living on. As #3 they offer links to three children’s books, ages 2-8 years, about and by Native Americans.

Offering #4 is a virtual field trip at the National Geographic YouTube channel in which we can learn more about Native American tribes and cultures. You can enjoy the National Geographic virtual field trip by clicking HERE. And finally, as #5 they list activities that honor Native American oral history, honoring elders and connecting with nature. We recommend a visit to the Boys and Girls Club website – accessed HERE.

At AMS Fulfillment we take our ‘good for the world’ promise seriously. We know that culture changes for the better if we make it so. As a B Corporation, AMS strives to be a part of that change we all want to see. During the month of November we encourage our readers to learn and join in the webinars to support Native American communities. 

We all know that Halloween is for decorations and costumes and candy and fun with kids!! (Sometimes adult kids!) When we look into the history, asking where did this come from, the story goes back to the Celts and their response to the end of summer and the beginning of winter, which for the Northern climates promised some hardship and death. Let’s take a look at what they did.

Celts believed that on this night the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. From History.com we read, “On the night of October 31 they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. In addition to causing trouble and damaging crops, Celts thought that the presence of the otherworldly spirits made it easier for the Druids, or Celtic priests, to make predictions about the future. For a people entirely dependent on the volatile natural world, these prophecies were an important source of comfort during the long, dark winter.”

That’s a very understandable beginning of a holiday. Time passes and we come to All Saints’ Day as Christianity had spread into Celtic lands. “In A.D. 1000, the church made November 2 All Souls’ Day, a day to honor the dead. It’s widely believed today that the church was attempting to replace the Celtic festival of the dead with a related, church-sanctioned holiday. All Souls’ Day was celebrated similarly to Samhain, with big bonfires, parades and dressing up in costumes as saints, angels and devils. The All Saints’ Day celebration was also called All-hallows, and the night before it, the traditional night of Samhain in the Celtic religion, began to be called All-Hallows Eve and, eventually, Halloween.”

There we go!! That’s the story of the beginnings of Halloween. There is much more to the history as to how it progressed over the years in the US. We’ll take a quick look at that. “By the 1920s and 1930s, Halloween had become a secular but community-centered holiday, with parades and town-wide Halloween parties as the featured entertainment. Between 1920 and 1950, the centuries-old practice of trick-or-treating was also revived. Thus, a new American tradition was born, and it has continued to grow. Today, Americans spend an estimated $6 billion annually on Halloween, making it the country’s second largest commercial holiday after Christmas.”

So, that’s how we got from ‘there’ to ‘here’ where Halloween is time for some laughter and fun with costumes and food and candy. What is AMS doing? We are enjoying some laughter, costumes, food and maybe candy… not sure about the candy.

AMS is having 5 (five!!) contests and we’ll list them and give details.

1. Mummify Your Boss (Great idea!)
2. Costume Contest (3 categories of winners)
3. Pumpkin Carving Contest (Get creative)
4. Ghoulish Food Contest (that should be interesting!!)
5. Breakroom or Department Decoration Contest (Yes – Enjoy!)

Here below are the details for last-minute planners. There’s still time!

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Mummify Your Boss

Employee challenge to “mummify” their supervisor, manager, or director by wrapping them in warehouse materials. Get creative!
To enter the contest, submit your photo by 10/31 to  [email protected]
Volunteer Committee will vote.

There will be top 3 winners:
1st- Ramesses The Great Award
2nd- King Tutankhamun Award
3rd- Seti Award
Prize will be a trip to the prize room!

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Costume Contest

AMS 6th annual employee costume contest 10/31.
See your Volunteer Rep for details on parade schedule.
Each facility will vote their winners for each category.
Facility volunteer rep. will have a voting slip.   

There are 3 categories of winners:
Individual
Duo
Department
Prize will be a trip to the prize room!

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Pumpkin Carving Contest

Employees show off their creativity by bringing a pre-carved pumpkin to the Breakroom.
Each facility will vote their winners for each category.
Facility volunteer rep. will have a voting slip.
Prize will be a trip to the prize room!

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Ghoulish Food Contest

Employees attempt to make food or dessert look as spooky as possible.
Votes are due before lunch break, so when the clock strikes lunch,
employees can feed their ghoulish appetite.
Facility volunteer rep. will have a voting slip.
Each facility will vote the winner.
Prize will be a trip to the prize room!

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Breakroom or Department Decoration Contest

Employees come together to decorate their breakroom and/or department.
There will be 1 winner for each state (CA, PA, and DE), selected by the facilities volunteer rep.
Prize will be a trophy!

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HAVE FUN AMS!!