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	GIVING BACK The concept Giving Back began as the result of our founder’s passion for community stewardship. All of us can have an impact on the future of our own neighborhoods, whether we donate time, share our talents or offer monetary gifts. Our core values encourage community involvement and support in order to promote, develop and improve the areas in which we live. With a national footprint, American Solutions for Business is committed to making a difference!

providing safety

Douglas and Sandra Shuff, American Sales Associates, are committed to helping the people of South Africa. They’ve traveled to the country several times and worked with local individuals to help provide a safe environment for orphaned and vulnerable children.

ADOPTING A HIGHWAY

American adopted a stretch of highway through the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Each year, members of the Home Office plan a late afternoon ditch cleaning event during which employees and their families put on neon safety clothing, carpool to the starting point and pick up trash.

bRINGING JOY

Each year, in honor of our founder, Larry Zavadil, we adopt a family at Christmas, raise money and shop for their needs. This year, we were given an extra large family and our shoppers got right to work and fulfilled all their requests...and then some! Here at American, we believe in giving back to our communities and we enjoy working together to make good things happen! Merry Christmas!

BEAUTIFICATION Projects

The City of Glenwood works with other organizations to beautify the city with massive flower pots that line the streets and avenues during the summer. American employees volunteer to help maintain the plants by watering and trimming them all summer long. (L-R, Brenda Thomson, Sue Frass, Carmen Dunn)

Bringing cheer

During the holiday season, American employees plan an outing to local nursing homes and a senior citizen’s center to bring a bit of music to the elderly. Smiles abound as the group makes its way through the halls and common areas, sharing the melodies and lyrics that undoubtedly bring back countless memories to a generation of folks who appreciate this small act of kindness.

Feeding the hungry

March is Food Shelf month throughout the state and members of our Home Office staff collect items and raise funds to benefit the local organization. (L-R, Back: Stephanie DuVall, Paula Petersen, Deb Wussow, Carmen Dunn, Audrey Van Vickle. L-R, Front: Nancy Roering, Amy Lamb)

SUPPORTING STUDENT ACTIVITIES

A local foundation organizes an alumni basketball tournament each year that raises funds and supports students in the local school district. The event brings families back to the community for the weekend and provides a reunion atmosphere for the alumni. Foundation volunteers manage the tournament, serving as officials and directors. (Justin Zavadil, right, and a local volunteer, were photographed just as they finished refereeing a game.)

rIDING FOR A CAUSE

Many American employees take part in a local motorcycle ride to benefit Hospice. Fundraisers are held and donations are raised for this great organization. (Raleigh Wold is pictured here with a local Hospice employee.)

dedicated to the MISSION

Mickey Roy, an American Employee, spent two weeks on a mission trip to Sri Lanka, an island off the coast of India. She was part of a group that brought supplies to 140 children from poor areas, ministering to their needs using music, games and puppets.

COLLECTING SUPPLIES

Fall is always a great time to help out the local school district as those eager children return for another year. School supplies are collected and delivered by American employees to area elementary schools each year to help those who can’t afford the supplies needed. (L-R, Principal, Angie Schlief, Raleigh Wold, teacher and student posed with some of the supplies that were donated.)

RAISING FUNDS & AWARENESS

When a local radio station began holding a radiothon to raise money to help put an end to child abuse, individuals at the Home Office went right to work to put together a fundraising plan. Every December since then, a team of volunteers organizes a week-long effort to assist local organizations dealing with families in crisis. (Deb Wussow, left, and Amy Lamb, right, delivered over $2,200 to the Radiothon collection point in 2012.)

rebuilding after a tornado

Sadie Schlief, second from the right, took part in a Promotional Products Professionals Pay it Forward Day. For her project, she chose to volunteer in a small Minnesota community that had been hit hard by a devastating tornado. Sadie strapped on her tool belt and got to work insulating and siding the home of a 70-year-old woman.

helping animals

Alisha Zavadil volunteers her time at a local, no-kill animal shelter. From helping at fundraisers to designing marketing pieces, she is happy to help an organization that gives animals a second chance at life and love.

THANKING VETERANS

Each November, American reaches out to support and thank veterans for their dedicated service to this country. In addition to an outreach activity, American plans a luncheon or a special event to thank those veterans who are now part of our Home Office staff.(L-R, Back: Denise Mithun, Raleigh Wold, Larry Zavadil, Tim Gorecki. L-R, Front: Randy Mithun, Curtis Tollin, Dean Schwendeman)

ASSISTING SENIORS

Amy Spychalla, Nancy Roering, Raleigh Wold and Sandy Schmitz volunteer for delivery of Meals on Wheels, a community program that relies on individuals to bring hot meals to shut-ins each week. Approximately 20 American staff people are active in the program.

REFRESHING & ENCOURAGING

No matter the weather, volunteers from the Home Office, along with family members, staff a water stop for a community 5K and 10K run each May. Runners appreciate the refreshment and the extra encouragement provided by the volunteers. (L-R, Sandy Mecham, Amy Spychalla and son, Ike, Stephanie DuVall and daughter Allison, Barb Kramber.)

SUPPORTING SENIOR CITIZENS

Winter in Minnesota can be long and dreary so each year members of our staff organize a Winter Carnival, complete with games, giveaways and lunch to help bring everyone together, brighten the day and raise funds for a good cause. Money raised from this event goes to our Senior Citizens Christmas effort through which we support 50 senior citizens at Christmas.

SUPPORTING COMMUNITY

Volunteers at ASB planned a cook-out to raise funds for a local community celebration known as Waterama, which brings hundreds of people to the area each summer. Over $500 was raised and donated to the festival this year, the most raised by employees of any local business. Representing the staff, Nancy Roering, left, presented the check to Jodi McGinty, a Waterama official.