APIOH Blog

In these times of economic turmoil, it is very difficult to show appreciation for our employees while at the same time we are paring away their paychecks and benefits. However, there is still a benefit that is very affordable and goes a long way toward showing our employees how much they mean to us. A thank you is a simple way to say “I am sorry I cannot give you more right now, but it is not because you do not deserve it.”

Many companies show employee appreciation through employee recognition boards, but the concept often misses the mark. Between delays in getting plaques up on the board and the lack of depth of information presented to those viewing the board, the value of a name on an employee recognition board is minimal. APIOH has a more meaningful solution. Call or email us to find out more.

Dear Patrons,

This month is Thanksgiving. For the past few years, I have had the fortune to spend Thanksgiving with some wonderful friends. One of their traditions is to go around the table and share what we each feel we are most thankful for. I would like to share my thoughts of thanks here.

APIOH has been busily working to develop new products while trying to circumvent economic obstacles. Despite the grim economic environment, consumers are looking to enhance their recognition systems and new opportunities present themselves every day. However, the financial climate is still uncertain, so they are moving forward very cautiously. Still, there is a lot going on. Hospitals, museums, universities and day schools, religious institutions and community centers are all now looking to APIOH for their recognition solutions. I am thankful to Ira Safrin and my other business associates who are spreading the awareness of what APIOH does and are inspiring organizations to be more responsible by enhance their recognition systems.

In addition, I am happy to present a new financing solution APIOH can offer our customers to enable them to stretch out their financial obligations over time. While some organizations have their funding in place and are just waiting to break ground on their capital improvement projects, others do not have the wherewithal to afford the upfront monetary outlay. With financing options, they can make much smaller monthly payments and install the APIOH systems while they seek out their sponsors to underwrite the purchase and begin generating revenue through APIOH. I therefore want to thank those who have mentored me, those who have given me proper business guidance and those who are affording me some out of the box solutions so we can help more organizations even with the current economic hardships.

On a personal level, I had back surgery just a few weeks ago and my recovery has been exceptional. I want to thank all those who were so supportive to me and my family during surgery and while I was recuperating. I want to thank my Dr., Dr. Larry Kurz, for being so great at what he does and for his amazing bedside manner. I want to thank my immediate family, my extended family and family of friends for all they have done and continue to do.

I have much to be thankful for and all of you share a permanent place in my heart. I wish you all a Happy

Thanksgiving.

Steve Katz, CEO
APIOH - A Place In Our Hearts

About fifteen years ago, I was walking in my neighborhood with a friend of mine when we passed a house where an older gentleman was tending to his garden. Let’s call him Mr. Gardner for the sake of simplicity. He had a very simple but beautifully maintained home with the nicest lawn and garden in the neighborhood. We exchanged greetings and were about to move on, but my friend was not one to simply make small talk. So we struck up a conversation which will stay with me forever.

Mr. Gardner told us a little of his history explaining how he overcame great obstacles to create a comfortable life for himself, his wife and son. The animation conveyed when he told his own story was nothing compared to the enthusiasm shown when he told of the accomplishments of his son. His eyes shone as he told us with great pride about his son’s excellence in academics, his esteemed position as a Wallstreet executive, his significant wealth and business acumen, his gorgeous and intelligent wife, and his amazing children. He went on and on about his son’s accomplishments. Here was a man who took great pleasure in his progeny.

Roll forward about fifteen years. Mr. Gardner’s wife had passed on the prior year, so I was saddened to hear of Mr. Gardner’s passing just a few months ago. The house that he kept up so well had no more life left in it. However, he lived a wonderful full life and left behind a loving family. Mr. Gardner was so proud of his family, he had portraits of his wife, son and daughter-in-law, and a number of grandchildren beautifully framed lining all the walls of his home ceiling to floor. I was told there was no need for wallpaper in all the rooms of his home because of the number of portraits hung in each room. There were probably about two hundred of these full size portraits.

I was therefore even more saddened to learn that upon Mr. Gardner’s passing, his son made the decision to give away all these beautifully framed portraits. He did not try in any way to keep the dear memories his father so carefully amassed. Although he did not discard the portraits and frames, he donated the frames to charity without first removing the pictures. The love his father expressed through those pictures will not live on.

This story only enhances the need for organizations to use tools such as APIOH’s and make them available to their members and patrons, to hold onto the memories of days gone by and properly convey the recognition intended by those such as Mr. Gardner.

We all amass our memories and treasures believing our predecessors will cherish them as we have. But when the house is sold upon someone’s demise and the walls at the kids’ houses are already filled with pictures they are accumulating, or when the organization moves or renovates and no longer has place for the old recognition, there has to be a new home for these memories in a place where an expanding family tree and network of extended relatives, friends and supporters can appreciate them. This is where those organizations we are linked to become important. We maintain these memories and histories in places that are familiar and special. There is no need to let these precious memories die out when our loved ones pass away or our organizations transform. Our great great grandchildren should be able to experience the love and admiration we feel for our families, donors, heroes, founders and more. They should know the memories can always be found in A Place In Our Hearts.