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The first Friday of September is National Food Bank Day, and that commemorative day has passed. We’re going to celebrate it anyway, belatedly, as food banks, pantries, soup kitchens and shelters come from the best part of us – our kindness, care and respect for our fellow human beings. And there is one more reason to talk about food banks now as pantries and shelters do need our help.

As we all know, grocery prices are at an all-time high and these high prices affect low-income families heavily. Demand at food banks is increasing because of this. And the high prices make it harder for food banks to buy food to meet their needs as well.

According to Feeding America, “…more than 46 million Americans, including 12 million children and 7 million seniors, rely on food pantries and meal programs to feed themselves and their families.”

Donations of nonperishable and unspoiled perishable food from homes and businesses help stock the shelves at food banks, soup kitchens, pantries, and shelters. In doing our research we were happy to see that California now requires supermarkets to give away, not throw away, food that is unsold but fine to eat.

Food pantries and food banks typically provide free food for people to prepare at home. Soup kitchens and shelters provide prepared food to those in need. These non-profits are often affiliated with faith-based organizations and rely heavily on volunteers. Some households may turn to food pantries only in times of emergency, but other households use food pantries on a more regular basis.

What food items are needed the most? The following list is from Feeding America.

“Basically, any food that is “shelf-stable” or nonperishable – you can keep it in your pantry and it won’t go bad. And remember, only donate food that hasn’t reached its “sell-by” date yet. Specifically, food banks often need items like: peanut butter, canned soup, canned fruit, canned vegetables, canned stew, canned fish, canned beans, pasta (most prefer whole grain), rice (most prefer brown rice).”

There are food banks and pantries that stock flour and sugar, olive oil, dressings… foods that do not need to be refrigerated or frozen. And there are others that accept frozen and fresh food, so it’s a good idea to check the website or call to make sure what is accepted and needed.

Also check to see if donations of toiletries, baby supplies, toothbrushes, hand wipes and other similar items are needed. If you’re considering whether to donate items or cash, it can be cost-effective and empowering to donate cash. Nonprofits typically can purchase items they need in bulk, at a discount, and with less sales tax.

AMS Fulfillment has long been a supporter of the community through donations to food banks. We also get a great deal of enjoyment from special holiday food drives. The following food banks are our recommendations.  

Santa Clarita Valley Food Pantry, Valencia, CA

“In 2018, the SCV Food Pantry had over 23,000 client visits, averaging nearly 2,000 client engagements each month. Our goal is to help each person who comes through our doors. We serve the elderly, often on fixed incomes and faced with the choice of medicine or food. We serve working families who earn paychecks that cannot support their basic needs. We serve the injured, the disabled, the homeless, and the unemployed – we serve those living in uncertainty, looking for assistance and a better life.” Visit the website HERE.

CrossNet Ministries, New Holland, PA

“Food & Nutrition Programs: CrossNet Ministries seeks to provide access to food as well as to promote education and healthy living. CrossNet provides programs for free food/supplies at the Food Pantry, Power Pack Program, and Summer Lunches. CrossNet also offers assistance applying for SNAP, WIC and School Meals as well as cooking and nutrition opportunities.” Visit the website HERE.

Sunday Breakfast Mission, Wilmington, DE

“Sunday Breakfast Mission provides temporary emergency shelter, nutritious meals, and hygiene materials to assist you in your time of need. Individuals who stay with us through our temporary emergency shelter are known as “Overnight Guests”. We operate two shelters one for men and one for women, and women with children. Sunday Breakfast Mission serves the homeless, addicted and impoverished through Christ-centered programs to meet their spiritual, social and physical needs.” Visit the website HERE.

We hope you will consider donating to the food bank of your choice, knowing that there are families very much in need of your food contributions as grocery prices rise. And, as we appreciate food banks, let’s give a thumb’s up to AMS for its on-site food bank for the use of employees who need help with lunch. 

With gratitude for the human heart, thank you.

When Labor Day comes around it signals a lot of things. After Labor Day, AMS will enter its peak season, so it’s a ‘get ready’ signal. After Labor Day the seasons begin to change and we all know it’s a ‘here comes Fall’ signal. School is back in session, Halloween is around the corner, Thanksgiving will come soon.

Labor Day weekend signals it all, plus, it’s a 3-day weekend for some so that means doing something fun with family, or maybe ‘taking a break from labor’ as that’s what it’s about – the workforce – the laborers.

The Department of Labor website puts it this way: “Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.”

AMS Workers

This holiday is in recognition of the men and women who keep things rolling – who do the job. AMS has 633 employees with 528 working in our warehouses and 95 working in administrative jobs. The workers in the warehouse are the backbone of the company as they directly serve the clients. When the job is done right, and the clients are happy, the workers get the credit. They did it. Thank You!

The administrators are workers too. What would AMS be without its technology geniuses who develop the information systems. Thank you to them, and to the ones who do the accounting and sales and customer service and shipping. And thank you to upper management and the CEO. Running it all isn’t an easy job, and that’s an understatement. 

How the Holiday Began

The individual states recognized Labor Day first, before the federal government did. Oregon was the first state to pass a law recognizing Labor Day, and that was in 1887. That year four more states – Colorado, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York – passed laws creating a Labor Day holiday. Connecticut, Nebraska and Pennsylvania followed suit. By 1894, 23 more states had adopted the holiday, and on June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September a legal holiday honoring the American labor force.

There is some disagreement on who first proposed the holiday for workers. Some show that it was Peter McGuire of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, co-founder of the American Federation of Labor, but many believe that machinist Matthew Maguire, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research shows that Matthew Maguire proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York.

The First Labor Day

The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City. It was organized and conducted by the Central Labor Union. They held a second holiday the next year on September 5. Two years later 23 more states had adopted the holiday and President Grover Cleveland signed it into law making the first Monday in September a national holiday. This was on June 28, 1894.

People celebrated with parades and parties. According to the DOL, the first proposal for a holiday suggested that the day should be observed with… “a street parade to exhibit “the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations” of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families.”

We Thank You

Labor is the reason that Americans enjoy a higher standard of living and the greatest production in the world. “It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pays tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation’s strength, freedom, and leadership – the American worker.”

Those sentiments are very true and well-spoken. At AMS we truly value our workers. AMS holds employees to be stakeholders in its business decisions. Employee safety is a #1 concern, and free training and education is offered to all employees. We want our employees to be happy with their employment, and able to advance because of it. B Corporations work to B the Change.

Big gratitude to the 348 women working at AMS! You are the heart of our AMS culture and we thank you! It’s Women’s Equality Day today, August 26, and we want to give you a salute.

We can thank Representative Bella Abzug who championed a bill in the U.S. Congress in 1971 to designate August 26 as “Women’s Equality Day.” This day commemorates the 1920 adoption of the 19^th Amendment to the Constitution. The 19^th Amendment prohibits the states and the federal government from denying the right to vote to citizens of the United States on the basis of sex.

It’s interesting to contemplate the dedication, strength and spirit of the women who fought this fight for us. They faced great challenges. The time period was the early 1900s, so that would mean around 1825-30. Women couldn’t inherit property, they got paid half of a man’s wages and they had no right to vote. In some countries (Finland, New Zealand and the UK) they had legalized voting for women. Those victories inspired the movement in the US.

In the U.S., it wasn’t until 1878 that the 19^th Amendment was first introduced. At that time it failed to gain any traction. After WWI, when women’s contribution could no longer be ignored, the right to vote gained enough support for the 19^th Amendment to be passed. The observance of Women’s Equality Day not only commemorates its passage, but also calls attention to women’s continuing efforts toward full equality.

The Tennessee Story

For the Amendment to become law, it had to be ratified by 36 States. Tennessee became the state to ratify the amendment on August 18, 1920. Here’s an interesting story about that time, from ConstitutionCenter.org.

“By the middle of 1920, 35 states had voted to ratify the amendment, but four other states—Connecticut, Vermont, North Carolina and Florida—refused to consider the resolution for various reasons, while the remaining states had rejected the amendment altogether.

“So, Tennessee became the battleground to obtain the three-fourths of states needed to ratify the amendment. Harry T. Burn, a 24-year-old legislator, was set to vote against the amendment, but switched his vote on the Tennessee state house floor at the urging of his mother, assuring the 19th amendment’s ratification.

“Yet, even after Burn’s deciding vote, anti-suffrage legislators tried desperately to nullify the previous vote.”

Join us in thanking Harry for listening to his Mother.

Back in 1920, Secretary Colby’s attorney reviewed the documents that arrived from Tennessee. Section 106(b) of the United States Code spells out the finality of the process:

“The Archivist of the United States shall forthwith cause the amendment to be published, with his certificate, specifying the States by which the same may have been adopted, and that the same has become valid, to all intents and purposes, as a part of the Constitution of the United States.”

As a footnote, there is some interesting info that not too many people realize… it has yet to be published. More information on the ongoing efforts can be found at the League of Women Voters website HERE.

Thank you for your exemplary performance during the month of July: Lucia C., Elmer M., Elizabeth S., Maria A., Damion D., Tia W., and Kenneth S.

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 so 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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Lucia C., Operations Associate II, (07/19/2021)
HQ, Valencia CA

We nominate Lucia because she is always helpful, always smiling. She is very proactive and willing to learn new things. She is attentive to directions and encourages all to do their best. Lucia is an efficient and fast worker who is a team player and we all can depend on her to do the right thing. She is AMS all the way and we’re happy to choose her for July employee of the month.

Elmer M., Operations Associate II, (05/05/2022)
LIV, Valencia, CA

Elmer is an outstanding employee here at Livingston. He comes to work every day and will give 100% effort. Elmer first started in our Pick Pack and Shipping Department and has now moved to our Receiving and Inventory team. Elmer demonstrates amazing urgency, dedication, attendance, work ethic and is a true team player. He is definitely my choice for July employee of the month.

Elizabeth S., Inventory Receiving Specialist I, (11/22/2022)
WIL, Valencia, CA

I nominate Elizabeth because she came to AMS back in November 2022 with no warehouse experience, and she had to learn the processes for all areas in our busy time of the 4th Quarter. She was able to learn quickly. Elizabeth has been helping in the receiving and inventory area and has shown dedication to her work. She always works with a positive attitude and is willing to help others. She is a very hard-working employee, and we are grateful to have her as part of our team.

Maria A., Janitor I, (03/30/2018)
WIT, Valencia, CA

Maria is always going above and beyond cleaning stuff no one else does. I would like to nominate her for employee of the month because she is always eager to help when we need the special extra touches for events and whatever the case may be.

   

Damion D., Operations Associate III, (08/16/2010)
New Holland, PA

Damion is my choice for employee of the month because he has been a very dedicated and hard-working employee for the team for over 13 years. He’s not afraid to put in long hours and be flexible with his hours any time we have a big project going on. Thanks, Dame for all your hard work!

Tia W., Operations Associate I, (02/13/2023)
Churchman’s, DE

I nominate Tia from CT B2B because she has moved right into new tasks with ease even though it isn’t always easy. She has started being our freight coordinator and handling QC orders, on top of always being positive and always willing to help others. She’s deserves to be our July employee of the month!

Kenneth S., Operations Associate I, (04/10/2023)
Newark, DE

Kenneth started here at AMS cutting boxes up, sweeping floors, and now he runs the dock and loads/unloads trucks. He deserves to be employee of the month. Kenneth always goes the extra mile to get tasks done, and he is always planning his day out making sure all duties are completed each day. Kenneth has become an important part of our team here in Newark and that is why I am nominating Kenneth for this. Great job Kenneth!

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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!

We can’t let this day pass without giving some loving attention to all of the Seniors we know, among our employees, among our clients, and in our communities. National Senior Citizens Day is also World Senior Citizens day, so this is a global commemoration in honor of all of our Seniors. Gratitude is the Attitude!

We’re going to begin by utilizing a quote from census.gov which feels truly appropriate. “National Senior Citizens Day recognizes seniors who have spent their lives contributing to society and have impacted everyone’s lives for the better. Improved healthcare has changed demographics and increased productivity of older citizens. The country’s foundation and stable sectors are the result of the hard work of our senior citizens and they deserve all our gratitude.”

President Ronald Reagan signed Proclamation 5847 that marked August 21 as the day Seniors will be celebrated. His words at that commemoration are inspiring as well. “We can best demonstrate our gratitude and esteem by making sure that our communities are good places in which to mature and grow older — places in which older people can participate to the fullest and can find the encouragement, acceptance, assistance, and services they need to continue to lead lives of independence and dignity.”

There are many Seniors living very productive lives far into their elder years, maintaining good health and strength, and enjoying life fully. We have Seniors among our governmental leaders and they are serving with wisdom, experience and care. Around the world we have Seniors at top levels in our corporations, businesses, places of worship and in all types of employment. We are grateful for the Seniors working at AMS. Experience is a treasure and we very much value diversity in our workforce.

It is also true that many Seniors need the services of community organizations. In alignment with President Reagan’s statement, we would like to uplift a community nonprofit organization that AMS has supported for many years, Senior Concerns.

Senior Concerns Adult Day Center offers activities and programs for Seniors with cognitive or physical impairments. They also deliver hot lunches and evening meals to homebound Seniors with their Meals on Wheels program, helping Seniors to remain in their homes for as long as possible. They provide caregiver support, legal and financial advocate services and volunteer opportunities. The organization’s website speaks of the work they do, and we encourage you to visit. HERE

“We are now a society of more old than young, necessitating a new world order for aging. At Senior Concerns, seniors come alive with enjoyment, affection and contentment, challenging the old age paradigms of losing one’s mind, capabilities or social connectedness. Community members unite to serve the very people who helped build the life we have today. Family caregivers are valued and celebrated. Our lifespans are designed as a process of continuous growth and development. At Senior Concerns it doesn’t end when we get old.”

Looking back from where we are today, August 21 of 2023, we are aware that Seniors sustained a heavy blow during the pandemic, and we mourn the loss of so many. AMS did its best during that time with free vaccination clinics on campus for employees, their families and the community as well as many other efforts to protect employees. But as much as we cared, lives were lost. They will always be appreciated.

As for today, how can we show our gratitude for the wisdom of the elders and regard for them whether in our families, communities or workplace? Give them your time in conversation and listen. Ask if there is anything they need help with and when they tell you, do your best.

Throughout our history, Seniors have achieved much for our families, our communities, and our country. That gives us ample reason this year to reserve August 21 as a time to give a little extra thought and care to the Seniors near us who mean so much to us.

World Humanitarian Day is an observance created by the United Nations to honor 22 UN humanitarian workers who lost their lives in a bombing attack on the UN Headquarters in Baghdad. It was 20 years ago this year. In honor of the workers, the following paragraph is offered from UN.org:

“Whenever and wherever people are in need, there are others who help them. They are the affected people themselves – always first to respond when disaster strikes – and a global community that supports them as they recover. Far from the spotlight and out of the headlines, they come together to ease suffering and bring hope.”

Humanitarians are people who step up to save and protect lives and deliver the basic necessities of life, working alongside the communities they serve. We are watching a humanitarian crisis as we speak in Maui, and we’re deeply grateful to the people who have come to help, those who have donated food and supplies, all workers who come to the scene of the tragic disaster. The Maui fires took many lives, destroyed property and the historical evidence of the people who have lived in the area for years. It is devastating, and our hearts go out to all who have experienced such great loss.

While the UN isn’t involved in the Maui crisis, the men and women and young people volunteering and helping and searching there are doing humanitarian work. We do remember the devastating Haiti earthquake and the UN involvement there. This Maui fire seems equally as shocking and heart-wrenching as we read and watch the news.

Many of us can remember the bomb attack, 20 years ago, on the Canal Hotel in Baghdad. It was shocking news, a bomb destroying the UN Headquarters, taking the lives of the workers and killing the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq. When the World Humanitarian Day was established five years later the Resolution was written to give special recognition to all humanitarian workers, promoting humanitarian causes and working to give assistance when there is a crisis. The crisis in Iraq was due to war, and the UN system promised to, “…redouble its efforts to achieve peace, security and development while honoring the lives of those who perished and the thousands of other UN staff members who have given their lives while serving in the cause of peace.”

All we can do on this day, at this time, is think of Maui and express our gratitude to the people who have hurried to help.

The newspaper, Hawaii Civil Beat, we see the following, “Organizations across Hawaii are mobilizing to help fire victims after thousands were displaced on Maui.” The newspaper goes on to list 12 organizations including the Hawaii Community Foundation, Maui Food Bank, the Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation, the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement, the Maui Humane Society and World Central Kitchen plus six more. Read the full article HERE.

These are the Humanitarians and we thank them and lift up their efforts to truly help on a commemorative day honoring them and their spirit.

August is Civility Month! That’s news to most of us! Let’s start with the appropriate question – what exactly is civility? It sounds like an old-fashioned term, and it definitely is. In considering what is civility, our minds go to the term, civilization. Civility is a term given to people who belong to a particular civilization? Let’s look at the history.

How the Word Changed

Apparently it comes from a Latin word, and the concept evolved over time. Starting in ancient Rome and Greece, the first use was to describe the new republic. It made reference to men with property, who had the rights and duties of citizenship.

Then moving to France, the word changed again. It wasn’t about citizen’s rights, but instead was about behavior and dress and speech between the French lords and those who served them.

Then, during the Renaissance the term rose up a bit to mean the sense of being human and acting with humanity and respect for everyone. The concept also included polished manners and adherence to honor and duty.

Looking at the Changes

Looking at the changes in the meaning of the word civility actually gives us hope that civilizations do evolve as we embrace our humanity. Let’s look at what National Today says about what civility refers to today:

“Today’s meaning of civility is etched in every person’s mind and is a common thread that unites our behavior. As we’re gaining a new understanding of ourselves and the environment around us, we are reaching out to people, sharing our love and care, and being civil to one another. And we still have a long way to go to become a world mostly free of incivility, which is what National Civility Day addresses.”

That’s pretty impressive. Maybe civility would end hunger, bring clean water, end the dumping of toxic waste, end wars, bring justice, move us into a state of brotherhood and sisterhood – we do have a long way to go but as history shows us, we’ve been heading this way for a long time. Of course we can celebrate Civility Month.

What is a Civil Corporation?

What does or what could civility mean to a corporation? We realize our world has a ‘way to go’. That’s why AMS Fulfillment is a B Corporation – we want to Be the Change we’d like to see in the world. What change would that be? How about a world where we fulfill the word Civilization. How about a Civil Society, living with respect for one another first and foremost.

A B Corporation shows respect for the community that surrounds it. We see what is needed and what we can provide. We hire people who are having difficulty finding work, we help the homeless, and the seniors, and the families that need food, and we are happy to find ways to help.

What about the environment? We’ve been ‘green’ for a long time, and we keep finding ways to do better. No ‘greenwashing’ here. What about our employees? We want the best for them – safety in their work environment, free higher education, training for promotion, excellent benefits. What about our clients? We show them the respect of a partner – we’re in their corner.

More than One Way to Profit

We do these things not because we are a B Corporation – we are a B Corporation because we do these things. Corporations are thought of as entities dedicated to shareholders, and making a profit above all. And many do put profit above all. Those will be the ones that dispose of their waste in the cheapest possible way, sadly giving no thought or care to their impact on the environment. The corporation that cares about its impact on the environment is civilized.

Our employees have always been high on our list of priorities. There’s no embarrassing safety record here. We spend the time and money needed to keep our environment safe. Discrimination? Not here. We are a very diverse place and we enjoy each other. Great benefits and education, yes, we can afford it. We don’t put profit above the well-being of our corporate family. Never have.

Our community matters to us. We can clearly see there are areas of need and we find ways to help. And our clients are stakeholders in every decision – true partners. We don’t seek financial profit alone, we seek to profit the world we want to see. Imagine a world where all corporations do business like this – that would be a civilized world – true civility.

So… Happy Civility Month – let’s Be the Civilized!

To learn more about B Corporations, click HERE.

For all of our cat lovers… your day has arrived. August 8^th is International Cat Day and we get to brag a little and enjoy some cat facts.

This commemorative day was created in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare. This quote is from them: “International Cat Day takes place on 8 August every year. As custodians of this important day, we’re encouraging cat owners to take five minutes a day to play with their cats to improve their physical health and mental wellbeing. Just like dogs need walking every day, cats need daily play to keep them active and happy.”

No worries – we’ll play with our cats. And we’ll be happy to celebrate a Cat Day, dedicated to learning about these wonderful animals and finding new ways to help, protect and enjoy them. Cats are really spectacular animals, each one with a personality and attitude. They’re inquisitive, independent, adventurous and communicative. Let’s get a glimpse of cat history and then some pointers on how to help stray or feral cats, and finally, an excellent NOVA video about cats.

What is their history?

Most of us know that the historical record of domesticated house cats goes back to Egypt. They are descended from the wildcat, brought indoors (or they invited themselves indoors) at some point. The following is from the National Today website:

“The first historical human record about cats could be found in Ancient Egyptian Civilization’s culture. We all seem to relate cats with Egyptians, because of their adoration and consideration of cats as gods. Mafdet was the first known cat deity and was regarded as the protector against snakes, scorpions, and evil during the First Dynasty, so for them, cats were not just deities, but also protectors.”

After the Egyptian Dynasty, cats increased in popularity. The Greeks and Romans used them as pest control, and in the East it was wealthy people who owned cats. But cats were in for a downfall in the Middle Ages where they were associated with superstition and were accused of carrying disease during the Black Death. Many cats were killed. It took around 300 years before their reputation improved.

How did they get here to the US? During colonization in the Americas cats were kept on the ships to kill the vermin. When the ship was in port, the cats would leave the ship, go ashore, find what they wanted and flourish.

Why Dogs and Cats?

This interesting explanation of why dogs and why cats is from the Smithsonian: “When humans were predominantly hunters, dogs were of great use, and thus were domesticated long before cats. Cats, on the other hand, only became useful to people when we began to settle down, till the earth and—crucially—store surplus crops. With grain stores came mice, and when the first wild cats wandered into town, the stage was set for what the Science study authors call ‘one of the more successful biological experiments ever undertaken.’ The cats were delighted by the abundance of prey in the storehouses; people were delighted by the pest control.”

Nowadays, a cool looking, fun-behaving cat is something of an Internet treasure – and we have about half of a billion among us. Thanks to the International Fund for Animal Welfare cats have this August 8^th holiday! With an estimated global population of 600 million cats, half of which are thought to be unowned, we do need to talk about feral cats.

How to help Feral Cats

• Should you give them shelter? Absolutely yes. If you live in an area with cold climates, create a space where they can escape the temperatures of winter, and the heat of summer.
• Should you feed them? Yes, put out some water and food too if you think they’re in need.
• There may be a rescue group in your area that practices Trap-Neuter-Return. If you find one, that is a very kind thing to do as a female cat can get pregnant up to five times a year.
• Make sure the cat is actually homeless. Some who do have a home may wander the neighborhood.
• If there is a cat that shows an interest in being ‘adopted’, and you can find a home, please do.

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And now as a gift to all readers, here is an excellent NOVA documentary on cats. Click HERE.

AMS East has dedicated this month to recognizing our Caribbean-American employees, friends, and fellow citizens, and learning about the history and the cultures in the Caribbean Islands. We know so little of the experience of our fellow Americans from the Islands, and getting to know them a little better is our goal.

Caribbean-American Heritage

The following is from LaTanya Warren, Human Resources Manager, AMS East:

“During Caribbean-American Heritage Month, we celebrate the achievements and dreams of the millions of people of Caribbean origin now living in the United States while honoring the shared history of joy and perseverance that has united and enriched life across our region for centuries.

“There is no single Caribbean-American identity. The mix of cultures, languages, and religions alive across the United States and the islands reflects the diversity of spirit that defines the American story. Meanwhile, our countries are bound by common values and a shared history — overcoming the yoke of colonialism, confronting the original sin of slavery, and charting new opportunities across borders and generations.”

Most of us can only name a few islands with our most familiar being Jamaica due to Bob Marley and Reggae music, and Haiti, due to the devastating earthquake. Let’s learn a little more about the Caribbean.

The Nations and the Languages

There are thirteen sovereign nations in the Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and Trinidad and Tobago. Bermuda isn’t included in this list as it is in the North Atlantic, but many do include it among the Caribbean islands.

What languages are spoken in the Caribbean? There are six official languages and quite a few non-official ones. The official ones include four from colonization – Dutch, English, French and Spanish, and two official ones that the people have retained… Haitian Creole and  Papiamentu, which is also a Creole language.

The Original People

Who were the original people on the Islands, prior to colonization and the slave trade? They were the Taíno (or Arawak). The Taíno people populated the Caribbean islands and Florida. And there are three others – the Kalinago and Galibi in the Windward Islands; and the Ciboney in western Cuba. Are there still Taíno people in the Islands? The answer is yes – there are estimated to be descendants of the Taíno in the low ten-thousands.

African men, women and children were forcibly transported to the Islands as early as 1502 to replace the dwindling Taíno labor supply. The colonial powers first came in search of gold, but as mining decreased, they introduced livestock and sugarcane crops. The populations of the Islands today are majority descendants of African men and women who were transported there as slave labor. There is a small minority of Europeans, East Indians, Chinese, Middle Eastern and Indigenous Peoples.

Recognize and Appreciate

So how do we recognize and celebrate Caribbean-American Heritage? Number one, we inform ourselves as to the painful history of colonialism, slavery and near-genocide. We appreciate with gratitude the ending of these practices. And most of all we appreciate the cultures of the descendants of enslaved Africans, their survival stories and their talent and minds and experiences.

In a recent blog on Black Business Month, we encouraged readers to shop at Black-owned businesses in August. La Tanya (AMS East) is doing just that. As part of the celebration, she is ordering Caribbean themed lunch for the warehouse team from a local, black-owned, female-owned, catering business. May we suggest one more good idea… get to know where the best Jamaican restaurant in your neighborhood is located! You’ll be glad you did.

The following is a quote from the Presidential Proclamation in recognition of Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

“A central promise of this country is the idea that everyone is created equal and deserves to be treated equally throughout their lives. It is a cornerstone of our common heritage in this hemisphere, even as we keep striving to finally make that vision real. Caribbean-American Heritage Month is a chance to celebrate the rich diversity that covenant has brought us and to renew its promise for future generations of Caribbean Americans and for us all.”

We’re happy to see that there is a month dedicated to supporting Black-owned businesses. This commemorative month, focused on supporting Black businesses across the nation and in our communities, is one more welcomed step in our country’s striving for diversity and equity.

According to an article at National Day Calendar, “Historian John William Templeton and engineer Frederick E. Jordan Sr. founded National Black Business Month in August 2004 to ‘drive the policy agenda affecting the 2.6 million African-American businesses.’”

According to the article, the categories of Black-owned businesses cover a very broad field including health care, repair and maintenance, personal services, advertising firms, auto dealerships, restaurants, beauty salons, barbershops, banks, insurance companies, consulting services, construction companies, clothing and shoes, cosmetics and many more.

We went to the Black Enterprise Magazine for more in-depth information on Black businesses. “The history of Black entrepreneurship can be traced back to the late 1700s — when free and enslaved Black people opened small businesses like barbershops and tobacco outlets. The number of Black-owned firms rose with emancipation and then, despite the times, grew during the early 20th century. From 1900 to 1930, the period was known as the ‘golden age’ for Black-owned businesses. Segregation helped nurture Black-owned districts, including Black Wall Street in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“There were other pivotal time frames reflecting the spirit of Black Business Month. One was the founding of the National Negro Business League in 1900 by the iconic Booker T. Washington. Now called the National Business League, the organization calls itself America’s oldest and largest trade group for Black businesses. Another stellar moment was the launch of Black Enterprise Magazine more than half a century later. In August 1970, the late Earl G. Graves, Sr., published the magazine’s first issue. It served largely as a guidebook for Black entrepreneurs seeking to launch and grow their companies.”

The article goes on to emphasize the importance of consumers and business owners supporting Black-owned businesses to help them rebound from the pandemic, where 53% of Black business owners saw their revenues fall by 50%, versus 37% of white business owners. Read the full article HERE.

A quick Internet search will provide listings of Black-owned businesses in your vicinity. In addition to those listings, Good Housekeeping Magazine provides a listing of Black-owned businesses of all types.

AMS Fulfillment is a B Corporation, committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in our hiring and promotion. Currently AMS is developing a JEDI Committee, focused on educational experiences and on centering the voices and experiences of minority colleagues to learn with and from, and to foster a work culture that is welcoming, inviting, and inclusive.

We encourage our readers to investigate and locate Black-owned businesses in your area as well as online and buy those new shoes, or repair that car, or get that gorgeous dress, or get that home repair done, or check out that spa, or go out to enjoy dinner in a Black-owned restaurant during the month of August, and beyond.

Check out ten Black-owned B Corporations HERE.

There is no avoiding stress – we feel it. As we attempt to return to normal, post pandemic, we find ourselves somewhat changed, mentally and emotionally. People are experiencing anxiety, stress, loneliness, depression, and our question is, how can the work environment advance mental health and help employees de-stress and return to normal or better?

There was a lot of fear in the world with COVID, and uncertainty. We held strong and here at AMS. We did everything we could, plus some, to alleviate that fear and stay well. Even though we dedicated ourselves to keeping employees safe, some of us lost friends or family, and some of us may be experiencing ongoing health effects of covid. Every one of us has experienced a loss of one depth or another. We lost a way of life.

If we can learn techniques to gain a greater level of health and well-being and have access to counseling and understanding we can experience a recovery and greater mental health.

The World Health Organization website published a “Wake-up call to all countries to step up mental health services and support.” The article states that anxiety and depression have increased by 25%. According to the article, mental health conditions have prompted 90% of countries to increase mental health and psychosocial support. The WHO Director-General was quoted as saying, “This is a wake-up call to all countries to pay more attention to mental health and do a better job of supporting their populations’ mental health.”

What is AMS doing to help employees deal with the mental health effects of uncertainty and loss from the pandemic? We asked Samantha Hicks, Corporate Culture and Org. Development Business Partner. 

“To best support employee’s emotional health, we must consider every aspect of what makes us human.

“Work life balance – the time we spend at work has an undeniable influence on our personal lives and well-being. We are all human, so leaders support employees having to take time off work due to day care issues or coaching their kid’s baseball team, or caring for a loved one, for example.

“Volunteer committee – we spend more time at work than we do with our own families. Our volunteer committee fosters a culture where employees can be themselves and have fun at work.

“Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – doing nothing to support employee mental health contributes to the stigma that prevents people from seeking help when they need it. It’s not up to company leaders to diagnose conditions. But it is an organizational responsibility to recognize when employees are struggling and offer ways to help. AMS offers employees and their household free EAP, with mental health services accessible and readily available for all.”

For more information on AMS’ Employee Assistance Program, you are welcome to contact the HR Department. 

During the lockdown many of us experienced loneliness from the social isolation. While AMS was considered essential, and we stayed open, quite a few people were sent home, to work from home utilizing the Internet. We were no longer able to engage with family and friends. We also experienced fear of infection, suffering and grief for loved ones and friends. And far from least, we had new financial worries.

According to the WHO, young people are more at risk of suicidal and self-harming behaviors, and also, the data indicates that women have been more severely impacted than men and people with pre-existing physical health conditions, such as asthma, cancer and heart disease, were more likely to develop symptoms of mental disorders.

Unfortunately, during the pandemic mental health services were disrupted. Today many people are still unable to get the care and support they need. We encourage AMS employees and families to take advantage of the free Employee Assistance Program if they feel it might be beneficial.

AMS is a B Corporation, and we consider our employees vital to our success, and worthy of our investment.

Read the full WHO report HERE.

Thank you for your exemplary performance during the month of June: Angelina C., Abad D., Marlen L., Dessire P., Stephen H., Judy A., Eric L., and Amber P.

In the fulfillment industry, employees directly serve the company’s clients, making their efforts vital to the growth and success of the business. At AMS Fulfillment we appreciate and value our employees, and we respect and invest in them. Every month we see our employees working so 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! 

Angelina C., Janitor I, (05/05/2015)
HQ, Valencia, CA

We nominate Angelina because she does an excellent job in making sure all is clean and organized. She is always smiling and working hard. She is very conscious of making sure all is sanitized to the best of her ability. She knows the importance of making sure that we all have a safe and clean environment and is helpful in what is needed to tend to the facility. The best part is she is very polite, courteous, and respects everyone.

Abad D., Janitor I, (11/08/2022)
LIV, Valencia, CA

Abad is definitely the one we want to nominate for her hard work here at our Livingston facility. She has a strong work ethic with keeping everything clean, up to par, and she is accommodating everybody with their different needs. Since her arrival, all employees have seen and mentioned the big change in the cleanliness in the warehouse. She is always smiling and bringing everyone’s spirits up with her cheerful spirit, respect, and politeness. Her eager attitude to help has won the hearts of many employees here at Livingston. We are in a playful battle with HQ because she is wanted everywhere she goes. Thank you, Abad, being such a positive asset in the AMS facilities.

Marlen L., Operations Lead I, (08/15/2016)
WIL, Valencia, CA

We are nominating Marlen for Employee of the Month because she oversees nine accounts and manages two different shifts successfully. She is always on time, and cross-trains employees with kindness and patience. She is always open to new processes and willing to take anyone to the next level. She enjoys her career, and she is creative in cultivating new ways to keep processes running smoothly. She is a pleasure to work with and a true asset to the Williams team.

Dessire P., Operations Associate II, (03/21/2023)
WIT, Valencia, CA

Dessire is our choice for June Employee of the Month. She is an excellent team player. Her commitment to get the job done quickly and efficiently is unlike any other. She is friendly and does not mind helping others when asked for help. She always has a smile and positive attitude at work. She definitely deserves this honor!

Stephen H., IT Support II, (11/18/2021)
IT, Valencia, CA

We are nominating Stephen because he does everything he can to help AMS be as productive a company as possible. He is always willing to help an IT counterpart or any person that needs assistance. He will always do it with a smile on his face. Whether a simple fix or a complex project, he will always see to it that it is done properly and on time. He has a very professional demeanor and seems to have a good relationship with everyone he encounters. I have had several workers make very positive comments about Stephen. He truly deserves employee of the month.

Judy A., Operations Associate I, (09/08/2022)
New Castle, DE

Judy is our choice for employee of the month because since she joined the team, she has been an A+ employee. She is always here early and jumps right into her work with a positive, smiling attitude on her face. She will do anything you ask her to do and will get it done fast. She goes above and beyond with one of our most challenging clients. We appreciate all her hard work.

Eric L., Operations Associate I, (08/12/2021)
New Holland, PA

Eric recently joined our receiving team and quickly learned all that is needed to get product from dock to stock. He’s done a terrific job and he is our choice for Employee of the Month! Great work Eric!

Amber P., Operations Lead I, (10/03/2022)
Churchman’s, New Castle, DE

We are nominating Amber because she has stepped up and met every challenge we’ve had moving into this new facility. She deserves Employee of the Month! With each month of CT B2B growing she has adapted and grown with it and shown the ability to work in a fast-paced busy environment day in and day out. Thank you Amber!

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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!