BSA supports military families
Rather than purchase floral arrangements for the dinner at its annual convention, the Bearings Specialist Association decided to donate the money to a local charity.
BSA held its 2013 Annual Convention in South Carolina and selected Operation Military Kids as a local organization to support. Expecting to raise about $3,000, BSA donated the money usually spent on centerpieces for the annual dinner and sold mulligans for the annual golf tournament. To make the bearing industry contribution to Operation Military Kids more significant, the association also suggested that member companies match BSA's contribution or, in the spirit of giving and to support the children of our military, make an additional donation of any amount.
In July, BSA board chair Linda Miller of Bearings & Drives Inc., presented a check for $25,540 from BSA to South Carolina's Operation Military Kids (OMK).
In addition to the financial contribution, BSA convention attendees also stuffed Hero Packs with goodies provided by the attendees. The Hero Packs have already been given to military youth in South Carolina. The Hero pack is awarded about 60 days after a loved one is deployed along with a letter of thanks.
Miller was invited to a Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Event in Greenville, S.C., for the presentation. Honoring troops recently returned from deployment, the event marks their 30-day debriefing and is part of a support system designed to help recently deployed military readjust to civilian life. Miller described the program as “a wonderful experience! Very moving actually.” All personnel are assigned a “buddy” with whom they must check in. In addition to the 30-day debriefing, they attend similar events 60 and 90 days after returning home.
The project earned an enthusiastic response from 2013 Convention attendees. One attendee noted on the event evaluation, “Very much like a community activity as part of the convention. Should consider a volunteer activity in the future.” Another added, “I applaud everyone involved. This is a great charity and having that as an underlying theme of the convention really put things into perspective when talking about business.”
INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY MAGAZINE
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