Our Commitment to the Well-being of our Community and Country
May 31, 2022
To Our Valued Friends & Clients,
It goes without explanation that the past few weeks have been heartbreaking – with the effects felt strongest here in Buffalo and throughout the Uvalde, Texas community.
As much as we’d like to say that we are living in unprecedented times, the truth is that racism and gun violence have persisted for decades. In just the past few years alone, there have been numerous instances of racially-motivated hate crimes, violent attacks, and school shootings. The number of lives lost is nothing short of sobering.
While we grieve for the victims and families devastated by this latest attack, our community is still struggling to heal from the mass shooting on May 14. Some of our employees knew the victims personally. Many are wrought with grief and are struggling with fear and anxiety.
For those of you who have reached out to our people, we sincerely appreciate your kindness.
We have taken swift action to support our employees by ensuring the lines of communication are open for anyone who wants or needs to share their thoughts and feelings. We have provided access to mental health resources, in addition to time off for employees to attend a counseling session during work hours. Last week, we held company-wide roundtable discussions, which were facilitated by HR and members of our Diversity and Inclusion Council. Employees were able to speak freely about their thoughts, feelings, anger and frustrations.
To directly support residents of Buffalo’s East Side, whose access to fresh food has been further diminished, we have made a corporate donation to Buffalo Together Community Response Fund. The Fund is a coordinated effort by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and United Way of Buffalo & Erie County to take action to support Black-led organizations on the frontlines of addressing immediate needs in our community, long-term community rebuilding, and systemic issues that have marginalized communities of color.
We have also purchased One Buffalo’s ‘Choose Love’ t-shirts for our staff, of which 100% of the net proceeds will go to the Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund and the Buffalo Together Community Response Fund.
On Thursday, June 9, we will come together for an employee luncheon. Our office will be closed between 12pm and 2pm EST so that employees can eat and spend time with another. Members of our D&I Council will speak and lead a moment of silence for the victims of these most-recent tragedies.
All of our hearts are heavy as a result of these senseless acts of violence and white-supremacist terrorism. We must stand together against the hate in our nation and demand reformation of our gun laws across the country. As a company, ABC-Amega will continue to build and sustain a culture of anti-racism and we will make our voice heard by the politicians who represent our district in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.
At the risk of sounding trite, we are truly all in this together. We appreciate your business and your friendship. We wish you peace and trust that above all else, you will choose love.
Thank you,
ABC-Amega’s Executive Leadership
David I. Herer, Chief Executive Officer
Paul F. Catalano, President and Chief Operating Officer
Robert M. States, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer