We're proud of our members' community involvement and the recognition our members receive. Here are just some recent examples:
5/4/2010 Stevens Van Lines Concludes Haiti Relief Efforts with Donation to World Vision
4/7/10 Midwest Moving & Storage Offers Free Pick Up and Delivery of Furniture to Benefit Pregnancy Help Center
2/1/10 Stevens Worldwide Van Lines Donates to Haitian Earthquake Relief Fund
10/09 Arnoff Moving & Storage Wins Service Excellence Award
9/3/09 All My Sons Sponsors Indanapolis T-Ball Ministry
5/19/09 Gentle Giant Moving Co. Awarded for Sustainability Efforts
4/9/09 Businesses Help With Habitat's ReStore Opening
4/9/09 Solid 'Green' Credentials for Virginia's JK Moving
3/09 E-Z Movers’ “On the Move for a Cure” Benefits Chicago-area Susan G. Komen Affiliate
7/08 JK Movers Named Best Moving Company in Northern Virginia
7/08 Texas Motor Transportation Association Leader of the Year - George Gilbert
7/15/08 Gentle Giant Receives Fourth Local Better Business Bureau Excellence Award
5/7/08 AMSA members receive 2008 NDTA Quality Awards
5/1/08 Texas Mover Honored by Better Business Bureau
4/20/08 Easy Movers among Charlotte magazine's 2008 "Best of the Best"
4/15/08 Amodio Worldwide Moving & Storage named Best Mover: Hartford Advocate poll
AMSA and our members are also deeply committed to community service and giving back to the towns and cities where they're located.
At AMSA, we've adopted a US military platoon and provide annual scholarships. And from our members, here is just a recent selection of many of the "moving stories" we are pleased to share:
Chipman Relocations
Fairfield, Calif.
Junichi Shimizu, a driver for AMSA West coast member Chipman Relocations, has been honored as the 27th annual Goodyear North America Highway Hero. For helping save the lives of three people involved in a fiery traffic accident, including one driver trapped in his burning vehicle, Shimizu accepted the award and a $10,000 U.S. Savings Bond during the Truck Writers of North America March banquet at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville.
On Feb. 20, 2009, he saw a vehicle cross the centerline of the road and strike a car in front of his truck on Highway 12 near Fairfield, Calif. The auto spun into the ditch, and the other vehicle hit Shimizu’s tractor twice before bursting into flames. Upon coming to a stop, he called for assistance, then headed to the vehicle that was in flames.
Unable to open the driver's side door due to the damage, he told the driver to protect his face and he punched out the glass to pull the driver free. Getting help from another motorist, he was able to free the driver's foot, which was wedged under the dashboard, then carry the driver to safety. Running to the other car, he quickly assessed that the driver was dead, but there were two injured passengers. The passengers were removed, and Shimizu retrieved his fire extinguisher to keep the blaze under control until the fire department arrived.
"To me it was instinct; I really don't know what to say," he said after accepting the award. "Of course I'm very appreciative; but to me it was instinct." Shimizu, of Gladstone, Ore., has also been recognized by the California Highway Patrol with a certificate.
Founded by Goodyear in 1983, the Highway Hero program recognizes professional truck drivers and the often unnoticed, life-saving rescues and roadside assistance they provide as their jobs take them across North America.
Crown Relocations
Chicago, Ill.
Members of Crown Relocation’s worldwide staff have partnered with Vitamin Angels, a nonprofit organization providing basic nutrition and fighting vitamin A-deficiency childhood blindness; and Save the Children, a charity that helps children survive and thrive by improving their health, education and economic opportunities, in a program known as Operation 2020.
In developing countries, more than 125 million preschoolers and 85 million school-age children suffer from vitamin A deficiency, putting them at risk of malnutrition, other illnesses and even death. Without sufficient vitamin A in their daily diet, up to 500,000 of these children go blind every year.
Vitamin Angels is committed to eradicating childhood blindness due to vitamin A deficiency by 2020. Through Operation 2020, 7.1 million children across 17 developing countries at risk of malnutrition and childhood blindness will receive critical supplements and antiparasitic medicines.
Bekins Van Lines
Hillside, Ill.
Bekins Van Lines recently assisted a Minnesota family move some of their most needed items to a temporary home in Miami to be closer to their baby, who is recovering from multi-visceral organ transplant surgery. Baby Sidney Markie underwent the surgery in March and is getting stronger every day, but has a long recovery ahead. Bekins made contact with the family after one of their customers, Les Velte of Consumers Relocation Services contacted Bob Dalaskey, vice president of sales for Bekins. “Bekins is very happy to assist Sidney and her family in their time of special need. We all wish her the best, and will keep her in our thoughts and prayers,” said Dalaskey.
Dalaskey added, “We’d also like to thank Mark Eschbacher of AE Worldwide for donating crating service, and Kevin Mortland of Twin Cities Moving Systems in Eagan, Minn. and Joseph Sabga of Bekins of South Florida in Ft. Lauderdale who helped make sure loading and unloading went smoothly.”
Cheryl Murray, grandmother of Sidney Markie said, “We couldn’t be happier. Everyone was so nice this morning, so professional and caring. May God bless you all! You are all part of a little miracle in process. Thanks again to Bekins for their help.” Bekins will also donate moving services to the family when the baby is able to go back home to Minnesota. To learn more about Sidney, visit http://cotaforsidneym.com/.
Corrigan Moving Systems
Toledo, Ohio
Corrigan Moving Systems, a SAM - Store and Move dealer, recently provided resources for two checkpoints at the March for Babies Walk to serve an estimated 2,000 walkers. The three-mile walk took place April 27 at Promenade Park and benefited the March of Dimes.
Corrigan furnished two SAM – Store and Move to provide participants with water and energy boosters and shelter from the cold and windy weather. The annual walk, supports lifesaving research, community services, education and advocacy that help babies get a healthy start.
“We were delighted to donate our time and resources to the March of Dimes for the third year in a row,” said William J. Axel II, Corrigan general manager. “This organization does a tremendous job of supporting families in our community, and we’re so proud to be a part of their efforts that we plan to participate again next year.”
Moishe’s Moving and Storage
New York, N.Y.
Moishe's Moving and Storage Systems was a proud partner for this year's EIF Revlon Run/Walk for Women. More than 40,000 New Yorkers took part in the 5k trek on May 3. Begun in 1993, the event has gradually become one of the largest cancer-fighting fundraisers in America.
Moishe's sponsorship of the event included free advertisement for the event on the side of their fleet of moving trucks. The firm also offered a ten percent discount on one move to all registered participants.
"Since we are a New York company we are extremely proud to sponsor this year's event,” said Moishe's CEO Gene LeMay. "We've always considered Moishe's to be a charity-minded company, and many of our employees walked -- some volunteering and others simply donating. I couldn't be any happier with our efforts."
Two Guys and a Truck
Sterling, Va.
Moving can be stressful no matter how much professional help you have, but there are few “stress busters” better than a cookie. Northern Virginia-based moving and storage company Two Guys and a Truck® recently tried to help its clients ease the stress of relocating, while at the same time helping a local Girl Scout troop and our military men and women overseas.
Two Guys and a Truck teamed with Ashburn, Virginia’s Girl Scout Teen Troop 4793 to help with the annual Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital Cookie Sale. Every customer who booked and moved with Two Guys and a Truck through the Sterling or Prince William County offices between mid-February and the end of March will not only receive professional, courteous, and on-time moving … they’ll also receive a box of Girl Scout Cookies!
Two Guys and a Truck is also supporting Troop 4793’s Gift of Caring community service project. The project solicits donations to send cookies to members of the United States armed forces serving overseas. For every box of cookies given to Two Guys and a Truck customers, another will be purchased to be sent to military men and women serving abroad.
"I'm always happy to support the Girl Scouts, and we're thrilled to be able to send a little taste of home to our military men and women overseas." said David Underwood, CEO of Two Guys and a Truck. "It's also great for our customers because those cookies are delicious!"
The idea for the offer came when Underwood’s stepdaughter, Olivia, approached him about finding a new marketing strategy for the troop’s annual cookie sale cookies. The company’s Sterling office services customers in Alexandria and Arlington, and in the counties of Loudoun, Fauquier, and Fairfax. The Prince William office services that Virginia county.
Action Moving Services
Bloomington, Minn.
On May 10, Action Moving Services, a member of the Minnesota Transport Services Association, helped provide the logistics for the largest food drive in Minnesota, the National Association of Letter Carriers Annual Food Drive. This year's event garnered more than 1.1 million pounds of food for Second Harvest Food Bank, beating last year's record by almost 200,000 pounds.
MSTA's members provided a mix of straight trucks, tractor trailers and portable storage units stationed at Cub Food locations. Action Moving Services equipment was stationed at Cub stories in Bloomington.
Rentacrate
Boston, Mass.
We believe that charity begins at home and we want to share with everyone our charitable efforts. Since 1991, Rentacrate and our employees have donated over $800,000 in philanthropic efforts. All together Rentacrate employees have raised over $58,000 towards Breast Cancer Research and participated in over 30 Breast Cancer Awareness walks across the country.
We have been a major participant in Muscular Dystrophy Association events in both Boston and New York and have donated and/or helped raise over $150,000 to help find a cure for Muscular Dystrophy.
We have donated product including our Rentacrates to numerous charitable organizations through the years. Rentacrate employees have donated hundreds of hours of time and effort to local and national charitable organizations. We have collectively supported numerous local little league, hockey, after school programs, community health centers, scholarship funds, police and firemen’s funds not listed below.
• American Red Cross • Lee National Denim Day
• American Cancer Society • Leukemia Association
• Arthritis Foundation • Men With Heart
• Boys & Girls Clubs • Morgan Memorial Goodwill
• Care of Cape Cod • National Alzheimer’s Association
• Crittenden Woman’s Union • National Multiple Sclerosis Society
• Children’s Relief Fund • New England Home for Little Wanderers
• Diabetes Association • Peninsula Hospital Development Fund
• Diabetes Research Institute • Project Bread Walk for Hunger
• Hope Worldwide • Red Ribbon Ride
• Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund • Santa’s Little Helper
• Juvenile Diabetes Foundation • St. John Chrysoston
• Jennifer Creed Fund • St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital
• Larry’s Children’s Fund • The Jimmy Fund
Rentacrate employee Christopher Osborn and friend Denise Sullivan from the Boston 2007 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
Massachusetts Movers Association
N. Attleboro, Mass.
We have developed a relationship with “Homes For Our Troops” in Taunton, Mass. This group builds and refurbishes homes for injured U.S. solders requiring specialized designs, such as wider doorways, lower kitchen counters and specially-designed bathrooms.
In 2007, our members Mercury Moving & Storage Systems (Avon) and Kilroy Bros. Movers (Brockton) donated their trucks, time and crews to move the group's offices within the Taunton area.
Each December, the MMA Board also takes up a special collection and then chooses an organization to donate the money to during the holiday season. MMA matches the amount collected. Over the past two years, about $2,500 has been donated.
Gentle Giant Moving Company Receives Local Torch Award for Excellence from Better Business Bureau for Fourth Time
Somerville, Mass.
Gentle Giant Moving Company has been honored with the 2008 Local Torch Award for Excellence from the Better Business Bureau in Eastern Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont. Gentle Giant, based in Massachusetts, has locations in New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington. The winners of the award program, designed to highlight ethical business practices, included only one company in each of four size categories. The four winners of this eighth annual award program were announced by the Better Business Bureau on July 2nd. This is the fourth time that Gentle Giant Moving Company has received the honor.
"Gentle Giant employees are trained and consistently reminded to never take our business relationships for granted, whether with our customers, community, or one another," said Gentle Giant's president and founder Larry O'Toole. "We set high standards, and we try to celebrate everyone's victories, big and small. I want to thank all of our employees for making Gentle Giant worthy of this honor from the Better Business Bureau."
