A New APR In 2018

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A New APR in 2018
By: Linda Stone

With the holidays right around the corner, I like to take a step back and reflect over the previous year – obstacles that were overcome, lessons learned, and moments that will never be forgotten.

In 2016, we launched the WeCare program with the sole purpose of supporting our contract workforce. In 2017, we evaluated our program and took the feedback of our contractors and made some significant improvements. In 2018, here are a few things we have planned:

  • Quarterly Giveaways
  • Contractor of the Month
  • New Digital Newsletter
  • Discounts to Local Area Attractions
  • Streamlined Email Communication

We also made major updates to our website including easier navigation, an employee hub for our contract workers, and completely refreshed the content and color scheme.

APR also began supporting new Fortune 500 clients in a variety of different locations, which means new opportunities for your career. Make sure to check-in with us at the end of your assignment so we can get you connected with your next opportunity.

I hope this holiday season brings you joy and wonder. I challenge you to reflect on 2017 and to look forward at the new season 2018 will bring. I hope you will utilize APR to help make it your best year yet.

“May your walls know joy, may every room hold laughter, and every window open to great possibility.” – Mary Anne Radmacher

Raising Money For A Good Cause

October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month and APR participated in various activities to help raise money for City of Hope – a treatment and research center. One major event was Pink Fridays. Every Friday employees were invited to wear pink and if they did, Linda would donate $5 for every employee who participated. A few other events were “Donate for Donuts” and raffle tickets for vacation days.

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This particular cause struck close to home, as our founder and CEO Linda Stone is a Breast Cancer Survivor.  Linda has now been cancer free for 17 years. Here are her thoughts on the trials she faced, being a survivor, and encouragement for others.

“It was a great feeling to see APR Employees support the cause.  They were willing to give back to the community by participating in the fund raising event that benefits City of Hope and its Cancer Research Program.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997 and my treatment plan included a radical mastectomy and aggressive chemotherapy.  Three days before my surgery, APR was awarded a big contract that was going to require a lot of work. APR could not afford to hire someone at that moment so as soon as I got home from surgery, I got busy.  Needless to say, I did not have any down time and had to keep going. A big motivator was having the passion and desire to succeed at what I was doing. I had forgotten that I just had a major surgery and may not survive.  That contract turned out to be a very successful business undertaking, growing exponentially each year.

The most challenging aspect of the cancer I went through was the chemotherapy. I also had a tough time living with one breast and had to carry a prosthesis so people would not notice my missing breast. Keeping a positive outlook in life, having a caring family there to support me, and keeping my mind busy on other activities, were helpful in overcoming this devastating incident in my life. 

 Some encouragement to others: Live a productive life, help those who need it most, and live life to the fullest without hurting others.  Be happy and share your happiness with people around you. Support cancer research even if and when you do not have cancer and believe that someday there will be a cure for cancer and cancer will not be as life threatening as it still is today.”

All donations were given to the City of Hope research and treatment center. Linda Stone chose the charity because she has previously worked with them and supports the work they do. City of Hope not only conducts research for breast cancer, but other forms of cancer as well. They are working on other methods to cure cancer such as using patients own blood cells to defend themselves from the cancer in order to reduce the use of chemotherapy or other harmful methods. Their treatment for every patient is individualized by case because not all methods work the same for every patient. They also help those patients who survive cancer transition to their old way of life with group sessions and support.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

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October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month. APR participated in various activates to help raise awareness about the cause.

Bake Sale
Our annual bake sale, Bake for Hope, was held on Monday, October 24, 2016.  Our volunteer bakers, Rose, Connie, Jennifer, Anni, John, and Jacqueline, donated a variety of beautifully made, delicious treats for our event.  We packaged and sold chocolate cupcakes, red velvet cupcakes, Russian tea cakes, chocolate covered pretzels, chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, and pink Hershey’s kisses.  We talked with people and collected donations in the main lobby from 1:00pm – 3:00pm.  Everyone who came out was excited to participate.  Many people were even brave enough to tell us about friends and family who survived a battle with breast cancer.  We were touched by the outpouring of support we received.  When the event concluded, we had raised $261.00 in donations.  It was an amazing day and we are beyond grateful to everyone who contributed to make this event a success.

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Pink Fridays, Employee Donations, Linda’s Match
Every Friday, employees were encouraged to wear pink. For every employee that did, APR would donate $5. Employees raised $360 for just wearing pink. Linda Stone, APR’s CEO, graciously offered to match employee donations, which was $210.

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Our grand total was: $1,862!

All donations were given to the City of Hope research and treatment center. Linda Stone chose the charity because she has previously worked with them and supports the work they do. City of Hope not only conducts research for breast cancer, but other forms of cancer as well. They are working on other methods to cure cancer such as using patients own blood cells to defend themselves from the cancer in order to reduce the use of chemotherapy or other harmful methods. Their treatment for every patient is individualized by case because not all methods work the same for every patient. They also help those patients who survive cancer transition to their old way of life with group sessions and support.

APR Raises Money For Important Cause

October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month and APR challenged their employees to wear pink on every Friday in October (There was 5 of them!) and for every employee that participated, APR would donate $5.  With the APR challenge and employee individual contributions, $2,230 was raised!

This particular cause struck close to home, as our founder and CEO Linda Stone is a Breast Cancer Survivor.  Linda has now been cancer free for 17 years. Here are her thoughts on the trials she faced, being a survivor, and encouragement for others.

“It was a great feeling to see APR Employees support the cause.  They were willing to give back to the community by participating in the fund raising event that benefits City of Hope and its Cancer Research Program.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997 and my treatment plan included a radical mastectomy and aggressive chemotherapy.  Three days before my surgery, APR was awarded a big contract that was going to require a lot of work. APR could not afford to hire someone at that moment so as soon as I got home from surgery, I got busy.  Needless to say, I did not have any down time and had to keep going. A big motivator was having the passion and desire to succeed at what I was doing. I had forgotten that I just had a major surgery and may not survive.  That contract turned out to be a very successful business undertaking, growing exponentially each year.

The most challenging aspect of the cancer I went through was the chemotherapy. I also had a tough time living with one breast and had to carry a prosthesis so people would not notice my missing breast. Keeping a positive outlook in life, having a caring family there to support me, and keeping my mind busy on other activities, were helpful in overcoming this devastating incident in my life. 

 Some encouragement to others: Live a productive life, help those who need it most, and live life to the fullest without hurting others.  Be happy and share your happiness with people around you. Support cancer research even if and when you do not have cancer and believe that someday there will be a cure for cancer and cancer will not be as life threatening as it still is today.”

All donations were given to the City of Hope research and treatment center. Linda Stone chose the charity because she has previously worked with them and supports the work they do. City of Hope not only conducts research for breast cancer, but other forms of cancer as well. They are working on other methods to cure cancer such as using patients own blood cells to defend themselves from the cancer in order to reduce the use of chemotherapy or other harmful methods. Their treatment for every patient is individualized by case because not all methods work the same for every patient. They also help those patients who survive cancer transition to their old way of life with group sessions and support.

For more information on the City of Hope, check out their website: http://www.cityofhope.org/

Pink-Fridays

APR’s Wackiest Desk Decor

Have you ever had a piece of desk decor or a gift hidden in the back of your desk that you’re not sure where it came from? We asked APR employees to send a picture of the weirdest, wackiest item on or in their desk. From toys, to giant pens, we were not disappointed. Here were the best of the submissions:

1. Hidden Treasure.

Kevin
This wacky desk item comes from Kevin, our VP of Sales and Marketing. He’s not sure why it’s on his desk, but hidden treasure always brings luck… or isn’t treasure usually cursed? Cursed with a wicked good time!

2. Transformer Fries – Wait, what?

Vanessa
Vanessa, our HR Assistant, decorates her desk with this Transformers Fries that she’s had since she was a kid! Who says toys are just for kids?

3. Signs point to yes…

Hedi
Heidi, our Operations Manager, makes her tough decisions with her wacky desk item – a Magic 8 Ball. Why isn’t this accessory on every desk?

4. Portable Speaker of Awesomeness.

Desiree
Desiree, our Receptionist, has a portable Bluetooth speaker at her desk. Music makes the world go round….or any work day better.

5. Tea please!

Ajay
Ajay, who happens to be our IT Manager, submitted a photo of his “Ctrl, Alt, Del” Tea cups that look like computer keys. Oh, the irony.

6. Party Fever.

quan
This wacky desk item was submitted by our FSO Assistant, Quan. She’s not sure why she has this, but brings it out when the office needs to liven up a bit.

7. Seeing Double.

IreneHarvey
Our Account Mangers Harvey and Irene work in separate offices, but submitted the same squirrel figurine for their wacky desk item. 

8. GOAL!

coins
Stefania, our Client Delivery Manager, submitted “Referee coins” for her wacky desk item. She volunteers as a referee for her son’s soccer league and keeps these coins as mementos.

What’s the wackiest item on your desk? Submit your photo and story behind the wacky desk item to apr-ma[email protected] and it might get featured on our blog!