Every 30 seconds, malaria takes the life of a child somewhere in the world. It is the number one preventable disease, spread primarily through infected mosquito bites. The use of malaria nets treated with insecticides has dramatically reduced the incidence of malaria in some areas, but many do not have the means to purchase nets. Nothing But Nets and WorldVision have mounted campaigns to help supply mosquito nets in third world countries.

On April 25th, 2008, American Steamship Company joined with these two organizations in recognition of the first World Malaria Day and held a fundraising event to help save lives by purchasing mosquito nets. In exchange for a $10 contribution (enough to buy one net) employees shared in a casual dress day and picnic lunch. ASC collected $400 for this event; $200 was sent to each of the groups in support of their ongoing efforts.

Holiday season 2007 was a special time for USMC Sergeant Joseph Breylinger. The son of Simon and Debbie Breylinger of Hamburg, NY, he had just completed a tour of duty in Iraq and was home for a holiday visit with family and friends. While he was here, one of his special requests was a visit to American Steamship Company headquarters to deliver his personal thanks to ASC employees who had generously donated to the Adopt-A-Soldier program.

In May of 2007, ASC became involved in the program which has helped to boost the morale of our troops overseas, and ASC employees have shown much enthusiasm and compassion in this very important effort. We began by having local school children write letters to our servicemen and women; approximately 100 letters were sent. In addition, mailing boxes were placed in ASCs kitchen for employees to fill with donated soft and hard goods – everything from candies, cookies, munchies, peanut M&Ms (a favorite of our soldiers abroad) hot sauces, magazines, books, puzzles, playing cards, disposable cameras and much more. Throughout the year, employees generously donated enough goodies to fill over 12 boxes for shipping overseas.

Sergeant Breylinger was one of four servicemen to receive our packages and arranged through his mother, Debbie and ASC employee, Mary Banks, to pay a visit to ASC headquarters in Williamsville, NY while he was home. While here, he and his mother received a tour of our offices and met many of the ASC employees who had contributed to the Adopt-A-Soldier packages. On behalf of all the servicemen who shared the packages, the Breylingers brought a delicious cake and other holiday goodies for ASC employees to enjoy. Sergeant Breylinger, who resides with his wife in Okinawa, Japan, will return to Iraq for another tour of duty sometime in 2008. He knows firsthand that our care packages are sincerely appreciated by those who are so far away from home and who look forward to what they call “a taste of the states.”

Volunteers from the ASC corporate office donated over 100 hours of time to paint the home of a needy Buffalo resident.

In September 2007, American Steamship Company had the opportunity to make a significant difference in the life of an elderly Buffalo city resident. Through an article in the Buffalo News, the ASC Community Partnerships Committee became aware that some homeowners were in jeopardy of losing their homes due to maintenance issues. Working in conjunction with the Old First Ward in Buffalo, the committee found a homeowner in need of assistance and volunteered to help in the painting of her home. After more than 100 hours of work invested by 14 ASC office employees over two days, the house looked great and we had the privilege of helping a deserving individual and improving the appearance of her home and her neighborhood.

American Steamship Company became a member of the Erie County Adopt-A-Highway program in 2004. ASC signed two consecutive two-year contracts with the Erie County Division of Highways to pick up debris on a semi-annual basis during the spring and fall. ASCs adopted highway is the 2.8 mile stretch of Wehrle Drive, between Harlem Road and Garrison Road in Williamsville, NY.

The devastating October 2006 storm prevented the teams from scheduling the second cleanup and maintenance of ASCs adopted highway. Fortunately, the weather during 2007 cooperated and we completed our spring and fall cleanups with no problems. Many thanks to the faithful individuals who have participated in these cleanup events and helped remove debris and trash in an effort to keep our neighborhood neat and tidy.

ASC People In The News