Sometimes, the most inspiring outcomes spring from a crisis. The same is true when it comes to Amway employees and the COVID-19 pandemic. Many selfless members of the Amway family have wasted no time in thinking of creative solutions to support their community.
It started with Project Light Speed where a cross functional team of approximately 40 Ada-based employees worked quickly to respond to Spectrum Health System’s urgent need of hand sanitizer.
Once word got out about those efforts, requests began pouring in from others experiencing critical shortages of hand sanitizer in the area and across the country. Today, nearly 28,000 units of hand sanitizer have been distributed to hospitals, clinics, senior homes and more.
David Madiol, manager of Amway’s Corporate Social Responsibility has been on the front lines of Amway’s community response, using Amway’s Sprinter van to personally deliver some of the hand sanitizer, while maintaining social distancing of course.
“The first day I made deliveries, I went to the Sunrise Senior Living Community and Emmanuel Hospice,” said Madiol. “The workers were literally crying because they simply could not believe we were replenishing something that is so important to the health and wellness of their employees, residents and patients.”
While hand sanitizer continues to fill a critical need in the community, the story sparked the creativity of numerous other employees looking for ways to pitch in to help their neighbors.
Amway’s Innovation and Science employees have several 3-D printers at the ready to provide to Spectrum Health systems in the event there becomes a need of medical equipment parts.
Amway’s Nutrilite factory discovered nearly 200,000 unused disinfectant wipes that could possibly be donated to area hospitals.
Approximately one hundred thousand N95 surgical masks that went unused in China are being brought back to Grand Rapids and donated to local hospitals to be used in the fight against COVID-19.
And Amway’s Corporate Social Responsibility team has worked to provide supplies to create nearly one thousand hygiene kits for Kent County’s homeless.
“We have an organization of people who are always living our vision of helping people live better, healthier lives,” said Candace Matthews, Amway’s Chief Reputation Officer. “They’re thinking about how to help the community all the time.”
While the response from Amway’s employees is nothing short of remarkable, community leaders from area foundations, including Amway, are combining forces so West Michigan’s United Way could fast track numerous grants to Kent County agencies.
“In the first few days after opening our Coronavirus Response Fund, we received an outpouring of financial support from the community,” said Michelle Van Dyke, President & CEO, Heart of West Michigan United Way. “Our team is turning those dollars around in the form of grants to local housing agencies, food pantries, and community centers so these agencies don’t experience any gaps in service.”
These are just a few inspiring stories that speak volumes about the generosity, creativity, and compassion Amway’s employees possess.
“We talk a lot about Amway’s values and beliefs, but then something like this happens,” Madiol said. “You really see what it’s all about and I am swelling with pride to be part of an organization with such amazing and generous people.”
“We talk a lot about Amway’s values and beliefs, but then something like this happens,” Madiol said. “You really see what it’s all about and I am swelling with pride to be part of an organization with such amazing and generous people.”