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On June 17, 2021, Juneteenth became the twelfth federal legal holiday. A number of states also recognize it as a state legal holiday, and most states honor it as a day of observance. The Senate unanimously passed a resolution on June 15, 2021 to give Juneteenth the legal holiday status.

NPR informs us of the 2022 details: “Although the official date of the holiday is June 19, the date on which it is observed can vary if it falls on a weekend. That is the case this year. June 19, 2022 falls on a Sunday, so for pay and leave purposes, federal employees will get the holiday on Monday, June 20 according to the Office of Personnel Management.

“Juneteenth is now formally recognized as a federal holiday. In 2022 Juneteenth will be observed on Monday, June 20, however the actual day of Juneteenth is June 19th which falls on a Sunday. Banks will be closed on Juneteenth, however banks should be open on the following Tuesday, June 21.”

What does it mean for a business such as AMS, and why does this date have importance for all of us? Juneteenth is a big step forward in bringing recognition, equity and due respect to the descendants of African men and women who suffered and endured enslavement in the US. The journey from enslavement to equity has been a long and painful one for Black Americans… through Jim Crow and segregation to racism and racial discrimination. Today’s focus on diversity, equity and inclusion is meant to finally bring an end to inequality in the workplace. As a B Corporation, AMS is pleased to bring attention to this new holiday celebrating the actual end of slavery.

Juneteenth, which is short for June 19^th, marks the day in 1865 when federal troops sailed into Galveston, Texas to inform the state’s enslaved Africans that they were free. The not-so-glorious thing about that date is that it was a full two and a half years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared “that all persons held as slaves” within the rebellious states “are, and henceforward shall be free.” Juneteenth honors the end of slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday.

From history.com we read the following: “Confederate General Robert E. Lee had surrendered at Appomattox Court House two months earlier in Virginia, but slavery had remained relatively unaffected in Texas—until U.S. General Gordon Granger stood on Texas soil and read General Orders No. 3: The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.”

Contrary to what we might have presumed, the Emancipation Proclamation only applied to places under Confederate control and not to slave-holding border states. In Texas, slavery had continued. In fact, many enslavers from outside of Texas had moved there, as they viewed it as a safe haven for slavery. The arrival of federal troops in Galveston that June signaled freedom for 250,000 enslaved men, women and children.

Although emancipation didn’t happen overnight for everyone (in some cases, enslavers withheld the information until after harvest season) celebrations broke out among newly freed people, and Juneteenth was born. That December, slavery in America was formally abolished with the adoption of the 13th Amendment.

In our recent Memorial Day blog, we spoke about how our society has been able to change and grow in recognition of our shared humanity:

“As a B Corporation we proudly speak of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. We also are proud to consider our employees, our clients, our communities and our natural world stakeholders in the decisions we make. And we recognize that it is due to the freedoms we have, that our society has been able to change from the exploitations of the past and grow into a country that celebrates all human beings.”

As we celebrate Juneteenth we also recognize that there is a ‘way to go’ in bringing equity to all, and at AMS we are committed to the journey and happy to be so!

Photo credit: Heather Mount

We are living within a time period where wrongs of the past are being corrected, and AMS is proud to be on the forefront of advancing those corrections in the workplace. The terminology we use is “diversity, equity and inclusion” (DE&I), and the reality is a culture of fairness, humanity, and non-discrimination in hiring and promotion: the end to prejudice based on race, ethnicity and sexual orientation.

Recognizing that there was prejudice and discrimination, and there is a history of overcoming, we celebrate, in the month of June, both PRIDE and Juneteenth.

With regard to Pride Month, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) history of overcoming is celebrated to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States.

From History.com we have gleaned some details of the Stonewall Uprising:

“The Stonewall Riots, also called the Stonewall Uprising, began in the early hours of June 28, 1969 when New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club located in Greenwich Village in New York City.

“The raid sparked a riot among bar patrons and neighborhood residents as police roughly hauled employees and patrons out of the bar, leading to six days of protests and violent clashes with law enforcement outside the bar on Christopher Street, in neighboring streets and in nearby Christopher Park. The Stonewall Riots served as a catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world.

“The 1960s and preceding decades were not welcoming times for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans. For instance, solicitation of same-sex relations was illegal in New York City.

“For such reasons, LGBT individuals flocked to gay bars and clubs, places of refuge where they could express themselves openly and socialize without worry. However, the New York State Liquor Authority penalized and shut down establishments that served alcohol to known or suspected LGBT individuals, arguing that the mere gathering of homosexuals was ‘disorderly.'”

As well as being a month-long celebration, Pride Month is an opportunity raise awareness of current issues facing the community. Parades are a prominent feature, and there are many other events as well. Here below are links to the websites of the Los Angeles Pride and the New York City Pride celebrations.

In this year’s blog we’d like to give credit to the woman who started the celebrations, known as the “Mother of Pride”, Brenda Howard. It was Brenda Howard who coordinated the first LGBT Pride march. From this began a week of events, and these events developed into the annual LGBTQ celebrations held every June. Here below is some of that inspiring story:

“To assemble the parade and the first gay pride week, Howard and the committee met at the Oscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop, the first gay and lesbian bookstore in America, at 15 Christopher Street. With the bookstore’s mailing list, they got word out about the parade. Committee member L. Craig Schoonmaker suggested the word “Pride” for the event. “A lot of people were very repressed, they were conflicted internally, and didn’t know how to come out and be proud. That’s how the movement was most useful, because they thought, ‘Maybe I should be proud,’” Schoonmaker said in 2015.

“The parade was scheduled for June 28, 1970. At first, only a relative few showed up for the parade’s 2 PM start time, set to travel 51 blocks, from Greenwich Village to Central Park. Police, there to protect the marchers, had to urge those who did show up to begin at ten after two. As if waiting to see if others would go first, people first trickled into the parade and then showed up in droves, growing louder and louder, eventually forming a thousands-strong mass of people 20 blocks long.”

Read the full article HERE.

AMS Fulfillment strives to create a corporate culture that is truly inclusive, and eager to give respect to voices that have been historically excluded. We are a B Corporation, and as such we are committed to ‘B The Change’ for the better.

As employers with a long-time commitment to diversity, AMS knows from experience that a diverse workforce creates a stronger corporate family. We have a stronger company and a happier family because of the diverse talent, diverse backgrounds, and diverse experiences of our teams today, and we intend to continue on that foundation and improve whatever needs improvement as we go forward.

Happy PRIDE MONTH! Be proud!!

There are patriotic commemorations throughout the year in which we recognize that we live in a country where our individual freedoms and democratic government are to be cherished and preserved. They are even worth life itself. Through these freedoms, human beings and human society can evolve. We have seen that type of growth take place in the USA.

As a B Corporation we proudly speak of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. We also are proud to consider our employees, our clients, our communities and our natural world stakeholders in the decisions we make. And we recognize that it is due to the freedoms we have, that our society has been able to change from the exploitations of the past, and grow into a country that celebrates all human beings.

This past weekend we celebrated Memorial Day during which we honored and thanked all of the men and women who paid the ultimate price defending our freedoms as members of the military service. This commemoration is sacred to the many who lost ancestors, family members and friends in war. It is a day of appreciation for those who sacrificed for future generations. A very great sacrifice indeed.

The story of how Memorial Day began is an example of that very evolution of our humanity through the freedoms and democratic government that we are willing to fight and die for. This inspiring story can be found on the History.com website. Here below is a brief excerpt:

“And then on May 1, 1865, something even more extraordinary happened. According to two reports that Blight found in The New York Tribune and The Charleston Courier, a crowd of 10,000 people, mostly freed slaves with some white missionaries, staged a parade around the race track. Three thousand Black schoolchildren carried bouquets of flowers and sang “John Brown’s Body.” Members of the famed 54th Massachusetts and other Black Union regiments were in attendance and performed double-time marches. Black ministers recited verses from the Bible.”

“If the news reports are accurate, the 1865 gathering at the Charleston race track would be the earliest Memorial Day commemoration on record. Blight excitedly called the Avery Institute of Afro-American History and Culture at the College of Charleston, looking for more information on the historic event.”

Read the full story HERE.

Coming up in June is Flag Day, commemorating the adoption of the flag of the US on June 14^th, 1777. Following that we will get ready to celebrate the independence of the US on July 4! Then, on the 11^th of November we will celebrate Veterans Day. Moving on to 2023, in the month of May, we will celebrate Armed Forces Day. Click HERE to read our recent blog, “Thank You to our Armed Forces.”

We hope you had a very enjoyable Memorial Day weekend, enjoying friends and family and giving thanks to those who sacrificed their lives. We are very fortunate to live in a country where the human being can freely choose to Be the Change. 

Photo Credit: Aaron Burden

We’re ready to begin the month of May with a salute to our AMS employees of Mexican heritage! Cinco de Mayo is coming right up and there is recognition of that day, that battle victory, the culture, the food and the people at AMS Fulfillment.

Before mentioning the celebrations in the Los Angeles area, we’ll look at the event that is being celebrated. From the History website we find out that this event celebrates a particular battle – the Battle of Puebla.

“Certain that success would come swiftly, 6,000 French troops under General Charles Latrille de Lorencez set out to attack Puebla de Los Angeles, a small town in east-central Mexico. From his new headquarters in the north, Juárez rounded up a ragtag force of 2,000 loyal men—many of them either Indigenous Mexicans or of mixed ancestry—and sent them to Puebla.

“The vastly outnumbered and poorly supplied Mexicans, led by Texas-born General Ignacio Zaragoza, fortified the town and prepared for the French assault. On May 5, 1862, Lorencez gathered his army—supported by heavy artillery—before the city of Puebla and led an assault.

“The battle lasted from daybreak to early evening, and when the French finally retreated they had lost nearly 500 soldiers. Fewer than 100 Mexicans had been killed in the clash.”

This victory is even more significant in that the main goal of the French army was to conquer the USA under the military and political leader, Napoleon Bonaparte! You can read the full story HERE.

AMS is very grateful to and appreciative of our employees of Mexican heritage and our Spanish speaking employees. For six years we have offered free ESL classes during work hours and we have enjoyed an excellent response, with many graduates. We have also translated our OSHA safety training booklet into Spanish and begun holding our OSHA walks in both English and Spanish.

We are confident there will be many Cinco de Mayo celebrants at our various AMS facilities on May 5^th, and we wish them all a great day, with good food, friends and fun!

An excellent listing of Cinco de Mayo events in the Los Angeles area can be found HERE.

Photo Credit: Jeremy Harris

Saturday, May 14, is a ‘big day’ coming up in May – the SCV Relay for Life! Relay for Life is a fundraising movement of the American Cancer Society in which communities across the world come together to honor and remember loved ones and help raise funds to support cancer research, provide help for cancer patients, provide access to screening and so forth.

The Santa Clarita Valley (SCV) community is holding a Relay for Life and AMS Fulfillment is proudly participating as a Team. We want to share some details to encourage you – our employees and friends – to attend the SCV Relay for Life with us. This is a community based walk event to celebrate our Survivors, remember those we have lost, and fight back as a community to end cancer.

At the cancer.org website we find the following information:

“Relay For Life is a movement, a community of like-minded survivors, caregivers, volunteers, and participants who believe that the future can be free from cancer. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, our community is currently connecting in different ways. While our fundraising might look different right now, our passion to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer is unchanged.

“When you participate in Relay For Life, you become a vital part of the American Cancer Society: a volunteer. You are now part of an organization of 2.5 million survivors, patients, advocates, volunteers, caregivers, and researchers doing everything within our power to save lives.” 

The location of the SCV Relay for Life event is CENTRAL PARK, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, California, 91350. You can map the location HERE.

AMS Team participants will meet up at a Campsite Location, and details on the location will be shared soon. You can join the AMS group in person by registering HERE and also participate by donating. The AMS Team will setup a space to fundraise and hang out, with participants welcome to bring tents, chairs, and so forth.

What Are The Basics To Know?

* Relay For Life runs from 9 am – 9 pm on May 14, 2022
* Food will be available for purchase throughout the entire event. (details coming soon)
* Upon arrival, follow the direction signs and drive slowly to a parking spot. 
* Schedule of activities is available below.
* You can participate in 2 ways: Walk and/or Donate

Schedule of Events

• 9:00 am – Opening Ceremonies
• 9:45 am – Team Lap/Introductions
• 10:00 am – 1:45 pm – Various performances on stage
• 2:45 pm – Road to Recovery event
• 3:15 pm – Survivor Lap
• 4:00 pm – 6:15 pm – Various performances on stage
• 7:30 pm – Luminaria Ceremony / Silent Lap
• 8:30 pm – Fight Back / Bell
• 9:00 pm – Last Lap / Closing Ceremonies

Learn More about Relay for Life HERE.  Join the AMS Team and/or Donate HERE.

Fight Back with AMS

We come together as a community to fight back against cancer. Invite your family and friends to attend the event and support you and your fellow Relayers’ fundraising efforts.

Contact [email protected] for more details and please feel free to share the image below.

Thank you for your exemplary performance during the month of March: Bryanna A., Tanya C., Jose M., Hugo J., Ana V., Thomas C., Shamar G., Naphaterie R. and Anton J.

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.

The following nominations demonstrate that the individual being recognized has gone above and beyond and deserves Special Thanks! All winners will receive an Employee of the Month Certificate & T-Shirt!

Bryanna A., Account Manager (01/30/2017)
HQ Admin, Valencia, CA

I nominate Bryanna for March Employee of the Month because she has great leadership skills and is a hard worker. She goes above and beyond for our clients and really puts in the work. Bryanna is always eager to help any team member if they have questions. We are so lucky to work with her each day because she is always positive even when things get busy here at AMS. Bryanna is someone who really stands out to us. She is always there for the team and gets things done without follow up. Bryanna is very knowledgeable and takes on tasks given to her. When we asked our team members to describe Bryanna this is what they said… Hard Working, Strong, Reliable, Sweet, Patient, Compassionate, An Inspiration, Dedicated, and a Team Player! Bryanna has all these positive traits and so much more! She truly deserves this!

Tanya C., Operations Supervisor (03/14/2016)
HQ Warehouse, Valencia, CA

I nominate Tanya for March Employee of the Month. Recently, the Safety Team held our OSHA Safety class in Spanish for our employees who don’t speak English or have limited English speaking skills. We asked Tanya if she could translate the 4-hour class in Spanish for us and she came through in perfect form. Not only did she translate from Spanish to English, but she did it with such enthusiasm. We are so happy to have her as a part of our Safety Team.

Jose M., Janitorial Custodial (10/05/2020)
WIT, Valencia, CA

I nominate Jose for March Employee of the Month because Jose is a team player and does an amazing job with the tasks at WIT.  He is always willing to help wherever he is needed and is an all-around great AMS employee.

Hugo J., Janitorial Custodial (09/07/2021)
WIL, Valencia, CA

I nominate Hugo for March Employee of the Month. Hugo is awfully good in his tasks. He does them fast and efficient. He always has a positive attitude which spreads across to others. He keeps the areas clean and safe from possible accidents. We appreciate his commitment to his work. No matter what the task is Hugo is always willing to lend a hand. He is always going above and beyond to help any department or anyone in the building with a smile. He is a great asset to the team, and we appreciate him very much!

Ana V., General Warehouse II (01/28/2021)
LIV, Valencia, CA

I nominate Ana for March Employee of the Month because Ana is a very hard worker. She is always on time and is here with a great attitude, helping in other departments and willing to learn new processes to improve herself. She is a great member of our team at LIV! Ana took the lead on a difficult client when we needed someone quickly and she has done an excellent job. She learned everything about the client and quickly trained everyone in the department and now everything runs very smoothly. Ana is always willing to learn more and help in any department whenever she is needed. She always has a great attitude and a smile on her face and says, “don’t worry, I got this.”

Thomas C., General Warehouse II F (04/01/2021)
HAR, Valencia, CA

I nominate Thomas for March Employee of the Month because he has shown me a smile and positive attitude since the day I began at AMS. Thomas is always willing to help, he strives to learn, and goes far beyond in both effort and input. During the Client close-down Thomas displayed initiative and dedication that helped this crew do some amazing things. He is the heart of this team; his energy and positive attitude has an impact on this crew, and we hope to see him continue to grow.

Shamar G., IT Associate (08/08/2016)
New Holland, PA

I nominate Shamar for March Employee of the Month. Shamar is always quick to help resolve issues and goes above by checking in to make sure everything is going ok after assisting with IT issues and on a regular basis. He is always personable when doing his work and he is also willing to explain what the problem is instead of just fixing. Additionally, he is also fun to be around and willing to participate when there are events and such. Thank you, Shamar!

Naphaterie R., Logistics Coordinator (04/19/2017)
New Castle, DE

I nominate Naphaterie for March Employee of the Month. As the new HR Manager, my first week was very busy meeting new people. As I was visiting all the locations on the East, Naphaterie stood out. She actively shares information, sets a positive example for others, made me feel part of the team from day one, and made a point to stop in to say hello when she was in New Holland. Neffy is well respected among the management team as well as the front-line staff. She does what it takes to get it done, even when it is hard and unpredictable. Neffy cares about her staff and her colleagues and puts in the effort to recognize everyone for their contributions. She is doing it right!

Anton J., Receiving Clerk (06/15/2020)
Newark, DE

I nominate Anton for March Employee of the Month. Anton has agreed to transfer from New Castle to Newark and we are excited for him to be here. When we were in New Castle together it was great having him on the receiving team.  Anton has always stayed busy working hard throughout the day. He has brought that same work ethic over to OGL1. Anton never complains he just takes on whatever task is asked of him. If you want an example of a team player, it is Anton. I am thankful to have him as part of the team! AMS appreciates what you do!!

KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!

One of the most relevant, historic and important global commemorative days is Earth Day – April 22^nd. In a recent blog we spoke about the origins of Earth Day; organized in response to a massive oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara 53 years ago. The sentiment was very strong at the time, to respect the environment and stop the destruction and exploitation of ‘Mother’ Earth.

The environmental movement has continued and grown considerably since that time, and we are very pleased to see that an increasing number of corporations have reached the stage of the B Corporation – a business legally committed to consider the environment a stakeholder in business decisions. AMS Fulfillment is proud to be a B Corporation.

Our AMS Green Team is active, committed, and accomplishing things!! To commemorate Earth Day last year AMS published an Earth Day report that can be read HERE. Much has happened in the past year, and in 2022 we have another Earth Day report for you. Contributing to this report are three Green Team members: Daniel Butera, COO; Samantha Hicks, Senior Program Administrator; and Jeff Pierson, Acct. Manager Client Services.

Update on Carpool –2022 C02 Report

With AMS’ Vanpool program, 14 employees participate in ridesharing, equaling 65 metric tons of C02 which is avoided because of this rideshare program. This may not seem like a big deal to most, but when we look at the big picture, the equivalence of these emissions would have to be counterbalanced by 22.5 tons of waste recycled instead of landfilled, 76.9 acres of US forests in one year, and 2,463 incandescent lamps switched to LED’s.

BIG SHOUT TO AMS EMPLOYEES: Mayra C, Maria B, Analida H, Jocelyn G, Reina C, Jazmine A, Maria G, Angie M, Martha D, Destiny S, Abraham T, Emely G, & Adam H.

Update on LEED Interns

We have received four resumes of College of the Canyons Interns, and plan to start Summer and/or Fall of this year! In this program College of the Canyons Interns will partner with the AMS Green Team to identify and promote modern green infrastructure. The interns will help AMS reduce its environmental impact by identifying meaningful operational solutions which balance sustainability concerns with financial profitability. 

Membership in Sustainable Packaging Coalition

AMS Fulfillment is proud to say we are an active member of the Sustainable Packaging Coalition, whose sole purpose is to change the packaging norms and educate businesses on sustainable packaging. To help our clients with options for sustainable packaging, we are creating a Sustainable Packaging Catalog for them to order sustainable supplies and different options from different companies, with the goal of encouraging them to think more eco-friendly with their products.

Evaluating, Educating & Investigating

Some of the other initiatives that the Green Team is working on consist of evaluating recycling options for both coasts and at all facilities for supplies used as well as personal/employee waste. We are educating ourselves on how we ensure that these materials that are recycled are being done so correctly, so they end up back into the life cycle of reusable raw materials for new packaging and products. 

We’ve launched an internal investigation that includes bringing in third party groups to evaluate us on where we are being wasteful and where we can make changes. We are also evaluating ways to actively help our clients in finding options for more sustainable business practices, including supplies, so they too can contribute to this goal of carbon neutrality.

Learning Center Reusable Materials

The AMS Learning Center is fully paperless, with dry erase name tents and reusable training material. Our caterer for luncheons and events, LaCo Taco, is using cardboard meal treys to replace plastic.

Goal to be carbon neutral by 2023

AMS Fulfillment is proud to say we are underway on an extensive and in-depth analysis of how we can become a greener, more eco-friendly company and reduce and eventually completely offset our carbon footprint.

We are seeking the following certifications: Carbon/Climate Neutral Certification and Green Business Certification.

Other

We have made available Reusable AMS Water Bottles for all Employees, we are communicating with Employees on Green Best Practices at home and at work and we are holding Weekly Green Team Meetings.

** ** **

Key Performance Indicators in Green Warehousing

In global supply chains, warehouses produce environmental pollution mostly from heating, cooling, and lighting. Generally, the bigger the warehouse, the larger the carbon footprint. Interns and Green Team can measure the carbon footprint of their operations by considering key performance indicators: emissions, natural resource use, amount of waste and extent of recycling and reuse. Studying total carbon dioxide emissions, as well as energy consumption, water consumption, and rate of product or material use, will reveal areas where companies can apply green initiatives.

For example, a warehouse with a high electricity bill might discover that alternative lighting sources—like natural light, automatic lights, or other renewable energy options—offer savings. Likewise, the discovery that a warehouse consumes large quantities of water from an unsustainable and expensive natural source might inspire change. By installing water flow reduction mechanisms or a rainwater capture system, warehouses can reduce, offset, or optimize water use.

PDF: Sustainability Among Consumers

Photo credit: Amy Shamblen

Warehouse safety is in the news nowadays as we move closer to an eCommerce world and become more conscious of the people making up the supply chain we depend upon. Warehouse employees are needed, valuable, and deserving of respect and protection. Accidents can happen in warehouses, and employee safety should be a top priority: safety matters.

AMS Fulfillment is proud of our safety record, as it’s one of the best in the industry. A great deal of thought and care, and attention have gone into safety over the years. Back in early 2020 we began a covid safety blog as something of a guide as to precautions that a fulfillment company can take. Today the covid safety measures continue at AMS, including on-campus free vaccine clinics.

But as we know, warehouse safety goes well beyond covid. In our last blog we spoke about OSHA training. This training is essential as it involves employees in understanding safety procedures, spotting hazards, and reporting issues. We have begun doing our OSHA training in both English and Spanish, and that has been a very rewarding effort.  

In this month’s blog Eric Wiseman, Safety and Security Director and Matthew Warholy, Security and Safety Manager have penned an outline of actions to take in an emergency situation.

Emergency Preparedness

When we think of Emergency Preparedness, we should always think of the Before, During and After to keep us safe. These include Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Fires and Earthquakes at our East Coast and West Coast facilities.

These rules can and should be applied at our homes and while we’re out in public as well to keep our families safe and protected.

*The before should include thinking ahead of what to do in case of a natural disaster or fire. What would I do in case there’s an emergency?

*The during should include taking cover and protecting ourselves until the emergency has passed. Waiting until the shaking stops in an earthquake or the tornado has passed.

*The after should be the evacuation. Get out of the building at ANY exit. Don’t walk across the warehouse to the employee entrance. Just get out at any door.

*Each exit should have a list of emergency phone numbers and a map with evacuation meeting points. These maps are also for emergency personnel coming into our buildings to see how the floor plan is laid out.

*Can’t remember your evacuation point? That’s OK. Just walk around the perimeter of the building until you see a crowd forming. It’s natural to want to leave and check on our loved ones. Kids at daycare, grandma, a loved one at home. Just remember to check in and make sure someone gets your name. If we don’t know that you’ve left, we will be searching for you in the warehouse. That could put someone else’s life at risk.

*Remember to take a breath and don’t panic. Think clearly and stay alive!

With April being Earth Month, and April 22^nd being Earth Day, we set out to see what other B Corporations are doing to celebrate and recognize their obligation to the Earth and to their own impact on the environment. A comprehensive Earth Day report from AMS Fulfillment is forthcoming, and in the meantime we have chosen to look into one of the main environmental concerns of B Corporations and of AMS Fulfillment – deforestation.

Readers may recall that in December AMS Fulfillment chose the Rainforest Climate Action Fund as recipient of its holiday donation on behalf of our valued clients. Like many other companies and certainly all B Corporations, we know that everyone who lives and breathes should care about and take action to prevent the exploitation and destruction of the lungs of the Earth – the rainforests.

The bthechange.com newsletter points us to certified B Corporations that are dedicating themselves to the protection of rainforests. The following article introduces readers to a B Corp called Wild + Pine. They have developed a project called Forest B. The same article also covers an advocacy movement to support passage of the Fostering Overseas Rule of Law and Environmentally Sound Trade (FOREST) Act. Here’s more info on the FOREST Act.

We hope you will enjoy this interesting information and that the efforts of these B Corps will have a real impact. AMS Fulfillment believes that our future matters, and corporations that take action to prevent negatively impacting the Earth are the successful businesses in a better world. For a B Corp, success is measured not in monetary profit alone, but in the beneficial impact of the business on all who have a stake. When the Earth is a stakeholder in every business, we will see a healed Earth.

Collective Business Climate Action to Support Reforestation

U.S. and Canadian B Corps Tackle Deforestation Through Advocacy and Group Initiatives

“The loss of trees around the world — whether for business use or from wildfires — and their carbon-storage role is a growing contributor to climate change and its escalating impacts. As huge tracts of forests are cleared to make way for farms producing crops and cattle, deforestation is responsible for 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Amid growing awareness of the effects of this loss — rising temperature, extreme weather, and other ecological impacts — Certified B Corporations are tapping into the collective nature of the community to help businesses raise awareness of the effects of deforestation and take business climate action to protect forests and other natural areas.”

Read the full article HERE

Most of us are aware that April is Earth Month, and Earth Day is coming up on April 22^nd. Due to the efforts of some long-standing and heroic environmental organizations we have seen the devastating photos of plastic pollution in the oceans and the resulting destruction of marine life. For years the general public has been concerned to the degree that we recycle and look for plastic alternatives. We want to purchase products in biodegradable packaging and sometimes wonder, “Why are they still selling water in plastic bottles… and why are people still buying it?”

Earth Day is one of the reasons for public awareness of dirty air, polluted water and destroyed forests – we know well that it is past time to show respect for the Earth. What was it like when Earth Day began, 53 years ago? It was seriously worse from many angles. The first Earth Day emerged out of a disaster – a massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. People were becoming conscious of the utter carelessness of some corporations with regard to the environment. The public was realizing that… “We had better start to care and let business know we care.” From that sentiment came our present Earth Day!

Today things have changed quite a lot, and an inspiring indicator of that change is the B Corporation. The B Corp considers the environment to be a stakeholder in its business decisions, and it is obligated by contract to do so. That is one of the most inspiring features of a B Corporation – purpose before profit. In the past corporations may have found it more profitable to pollute the environment. The B Corporation promises that the environment will be considered with every decision, and profit does not come first. With the B Corp in the lead, perhaps one day soon that bottle of water we want to buy will be packaged in in a container that will degrade in the environment in a healthy manner, and we won’t be forced to pay more for it!

A Fulfillment company like AMS has its own impact on the environment as do all businesses. AMS uses packaging materials, cardboard boxes and other types of disposable items, and it is always on the search for the better and better materials – things that will decompose and if not decompose, be fully recyclable into another useful purpose. This concern for the environment has been evident in the decision-making from the beginning of the company 20 years ago. Today our ‘Green Team’ is consulting with experts and making every effort possible to modify our impact on the environment until AMS Fulfillment is carbon neutral.

In our first blog celebrating Earth Month we find it appropriate to mention some of the ways that other B Corporations are considering the environment.

An article at bthechange.com entitled B Corps Raise the Bar for Business Climate Action, talks about three B Corps: Gaia Herbs, Flow Water, and Legacy Vacation Resorts. Every B Corporation has a story and a purpose. These businesses are inspiring, honest, and dedicated with regard to the Earth. For example, here is a quote from Flow Water:

“This Earth Month we’re raising awareness about the power we all have to make mindful purchases. With our sustainable, plant-based package and sustainably-sourced alkaline spring water you’ll be doing your part for the planet while simultaneously giving your body optimal hydration.”

It is exciting to consider that our wish for a bottle of water in a biodegradable container may be granted by a B Corporation! We encourage you to read the article and see what these B Corporations are doing in recognition of Earth Month.

In April we see a focus on autism and on hiring individuals with cognitive or developmental disabilities in World Autism Day. In recognition of this commemorative day, on April 2nd, the following statement was made by the White House:

“On World Autism Awareness Day, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that the more than 5 million Americans who live with autism are able to make the most of their talents and participate fully in our society, and we celebrate the contributions autistic Americans have made to our families, our communities, our Nation, and the world.”

AMS has a long and rewarding history of hiring individuals with disabilities. Looking back on our news reports, we see a strong, cooperative relationship with Pleasantview Industries and other community organizations serving individuals with disabilities. We also see a presence on the Mayor’s Committee for Employment of Individuals with Disabilities; an event recognizing employers of individuals with disabilities at College of the Canyons as well as a continental breakfast event at AMS on behalf of the Autism community.

After that AMS event, then CEO of AMS, Ken Wiseman said, “It has been hard work in years past to place many individuals, but we have seen so much progress. In our experience at AMS, individuals with disabilities are excellent employees, eager to enter the workplace and demonstrate their abilities. All of us have been touched with deep appreciation.”

And we don’t just talk the talk. Our relationship with community organizations, and our commitment to hire individuals with disabilities continues and advances in the present day. We truly value our partnership with Pleasantview Industries, an organization working within the community for many decades. We also partner with New Horizons, a non-profit serving individuals with special needs; Desert Haven, an organization supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and the US Department of Rehabilitation, which assists people with disabilities in obtaining and retaining employment. In addition to partnering with these excellent organizations, AMS works with Bridge to Home which supports the homeless population in finding employment.

Regarding the AMS focus on diversity in hiring and inclusion of individuals with disabilities, Samantha Hicks, Senior Programs Administrator, stated: “AMS prides itself in our diverse workforce, and welcomes with open arms all members of our community. Through AMS DEI Trainings, and DEI Champions Club, we have a culture that strives to inspire and maintain trust on the basis of ethical decision-making. We treat each other with respect and communicate often and openly to foster collaborative efforts. We appreciate the value of diverse backgrounds, expertise, ideas and incorporate multiple perspectives in decision-making and strategic actions.”

Finally, we would like to mention an article in Business Matters Magazine which points to the benefits of employing people with disabilities and autism… benefits that we at AMS Fulfillment have experienced: “As we recently marked World Autism Day, where people are encouraged to provide opportunities to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism, I’d particularly like the business community to consider the benefits of employing people with a learning disability, autism spectrum condition or both.”

We recommend reading the full article HERE.

The month of March has been a very special one for B Corporations. The B The Change organization, and many participating B Corporations, including AMS Fulfillment, have been celebrating B Corp Month, getting to know each other, attending training webinars and accomplishing special projects. The organization concluded the celebration by reporting on how all of us B Corps are advocating for the spread of positive impact. AMS Fulfillment is proud to have been included among the businesses featured in their latest publication.

Explaining their choices of companies to feature, the organization stated:

“The broader approach to business success taken at Certified B Corporations means balancing profit with impact on stakeholders such as workers, community members, and the environment. This can play into every business decision, from which company to partner with (do they pay employees a living wage?), to product choices (which packaging has the least environmental impact?), and more. We’re going Behind the B during B Corp Month to celebrate the ways that B Corps are using business as a force for good.” 

The first B Corp featured in their article is called Get Lagos Now, located in Portland, OR. It describes itself as a partnership to support marginalized youths and people who are homeless. This business partners with another Portland business that collects working laptops, tablets and cellphones, refurbishes them and donates them to support people who are homeless in the community. Click HERE to visit their website.

The next B Corp that is featured is one we are familiar with. They have a terrific blog in which they included our own Betty-Lou Wiseman in an article featuring the achievements of women. It’s a Toronto-based marketing agency called 5&Vine that invests in startups and incubating ideas. In the article they talk about The Challenger Brand, which is a new quarterly project that includes releasing a limited-design sustainable T-shirt, with profits used for no-strings grants that go to community organizations. You can visit their website HERE.

Another featured B Corp, Moye White LLP, describes its task as providing resources for climate action and sustainability. Here is a quote from the article: With the knowledge that buildings play a large role in the climate crisis — generating almost 40% of the world’s annual CO2 emissions through operations, material, and construction —Moye White LLP helped develop a collaborative publication that looks to address climate change through changes to the built environment. You can visit their website HERE.

And finally, let’s look at AMS Fulfillment, featured for building a more diverse and knowledgeable workforce and community!!! Below is a quote from the article:

Building a knowledgeable and diverse workforce is a part of the company culture at AMS Fulfillment , which provides fulfillment and distribution services to consumer products companies. The B Corp’s 600 employees — at sites in Los Angeles, Pennsylvania, and Delaware — have access to paid personal betterment and professional training during work hours.

 “Long ago, we recognized that success in the workplace for many individuals requires ongoing training programs focused on areas where there are challenges,” CEO Jay Catlin says. “Offering paid courses during work hours allows all of our employees the opportunity for betterment. This has been a major step in equity at AMS.”

Please enjoy the full article HERE, at bthechange.com!

We have enjoyed B Corp Month, connecting with other B Corporations and hearing their fascinating stories.