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Photos from Habitat for Humanity
February 23, 2010

Here are more photos from ClassB’s service project with East Pasco Habitat for Humanity.

Click any image for a larger view!

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Organizing Hope: A(nother) ClassB service project
February 19, 2010

ClassB Volunteers part I

ClassB Volunteers part I



I have always wanted to volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. The idea of making such a large difference in another person’s life has always been appealing. I can remember being a little girl and seeing the commercials thinking, I want to do that someday. Well, that day just happened to be on Saturday, February 6. I accompanied 28 ClassB employees and their family and friends to volunteer in the East Pasco Habitat for Humanity ReStore. I must say, it was an experience.

ClassB Volunteers part II

ClassB Volunteers part II



Divided into three groups, the volunteers were spread out across two warehouses East Pasco was using as storage for prospective houses and sellable items for the ReStore. It was more than a little brisk at 9 AM, but I felt little of the cold as I helped move pallets and organize artificial Christmas trees donated by Z-DEC (as a side note, I would like to say that this is our second time volunteering in a warehouse).

There was a hole in the wall near the ceiling of the warehouse. This allowed to water get in and dampen some of the boxes and encourage the growth of mold. Our task was simple enough: organize the warehouse into general categories (holidays, office furniture, etc), bring anything that can be sold to the ReStore warehouse, and throw away everything that’s broken.

Everything that we organized, we moved 20 feet away from the walls to prevent them from falling victim to the mold. Thank the heavens there was 30+ people, a pallet jack, and a forklift. There was so much stuff in these warehouses! We found old school lockers, dressers, and even a giant pumpkin. And I’m quite sure I saw a proscenium arch being carried outside…

Doors that will open homes

Doors that will open homes

Proscenium arch?

Proscenium arch...or regular arch way?

Aaron moving some old school lockers

Aaron moving some old school lockers

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown










What moved me was the writing on the wood designated for the houses. Donated by a church, there was writing along the sides with various “can-do” phrases and uplifting verses from the Bible.


Jesus died for our sins

Jesus died for our sins

Love the Lord with all your heart

Love the Lord with all your heart



Anyways, it got hot really quick. Between all the sweeping and hauling wood assembly line-style, I think I burned off a lot of calories (which I later replaced with Pizza Hut and chips during lunch). We worked together so well, that we finished two hours ahead of schedule. We stayed after for a while and listened to the CEO/President of East Pasco Habitat for Humanity, John Finnerty, talk about the difference we and other volunteers were making in people’s lives.

That guy

John Finnerty



Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit Christian organization that has gone international. Finnerty said he sees poverty housing in other countries and also here in America. Although we weren’t putting together a house, we made it easier for the construction team to reach all everything and kept their building material from being molded. We completed in four hours what would have taken them an entire day to accomplish.

We are always happy to volunteer!

We are always happy to volunteer!

Our little pile - thanks Frank!

Our little pile - thanks Frank!

This really was the best method

This really was the best method



After we finished, the entire group took some time to explore the ReStore. With about as much stuff inside as the warehouse, it was no wonder we couldn’t fit everything into ReStore storage. I didn’t buy anything then, but I did go back later the next week and purchased a wallet.

Besides shopping in the ReStore, another added perk to volunteering with East Pasco was that they participated in the Give a Day, Get a Disney Day sweepstakes. Everyone who participated on Saturday will receive a free 1-day ticket to Walt Disney World in Orlando. The ticket can either be used, or donated to a charitable organization.

Regardless of the ticket, I (and a few others) want to volunteer with East Pasco Habitat for Humanity soon. Although this experience wasn’t quite what I expected, I sure am looking forward to the next time I volunteer with East Pasco.

Moving Down the Paper Trail: Update!
February 15, 2010

Our newly implemented recycle dumpster

Our newly implemented recycle dumpster


We here at ClassB have extended our recycling efforts once again. With a little help from GreenFiber, recycling is now easier than ever! There is now a GreenFiber recycle dumpster on ClassB premises. A lot of traditional “garbage” can go into the dumpster to be recycled into insulation for homes and schools. Newspaper, cardboard, office paper, and even cereal boxes can go in.

The recycle dumpster is located behind the ClassB building in the employee parking lot and is available for anyone who wants to recycle.

The Recycle Triumvirate

The Recycle Triumvirate


Also available to the public are three new recycle receptacles located in front of the store on 5th Avenue. The receptacles are for glass, aluminum, and plastic respectively.

The recycle dumpster and receptacles are the newest addition to ClassB’s recycling efforts. Along with Eco-Ts and ink waste reduction, we are well on our way to making our screen printing process environmentally sustainable.

We are into recycling whatever we can. We encourage local businesses (and individuals!) to bring their paper trash to the Green Fiber dumpster. Any support in our paper collection is greatly appreciated by us and the Earth!

Happy 100th Birthday, BSA!
February 8, 2010

Joseph Csatari's painting, shown above, which depicts a 1910 Scout, four current Scouts, and one boy who can't wait to join the program.Today the Boy Scouts of America is celebrating 100 years of leadership, service, and adventure. We’re so proud to be a part of this movement as an Official Licensee of the Boy Scouts of America. The entire internet is lighting up today in honor of this Centennial. Here’s some things you can’t miss today: There’s also been quite a bit of national media attention for the centennial. Check these out: And, our own regional paper, The Tampa Tribune has covered it as well. If your local paper has a story about the 100th Anniversary, please add a link to it in the comments.

Make your t-shirt last longer
January 27, 2010

Most of the time when shirts and their printed decorations become worn out, people usually attribute this to the quality of the material or manufacturer. A lot of the time it is poor treatment of the garments and they are not treated correctly. This is where we come in to give you the best advice to allow your garments look its best and last the longest.

After a day is over and you change into your evening attire, most people ball there shirts up and throw them into the hamper. Doing so puts stress on the fibers of the shirt because of the wrinkles that accumulate. Over time, this makes the shirt look less and less crisp. Say goodbye to your “new shirt” look! So, when putting your shirts into the hamper, try folding them into a neat pile until the next time you wash the garments.

Since we’re on the topic, wash your clothes often! The longer you let you clothing stay in the hamper the longer natural day to day stains and smells have to set in. Try to prevent food stains from getting on your shirt (having children may make this nearly impossible). Just in case, here are a few stain remedies:

•Dish soap and warm water are generic stain removers. With little soap and warm water gently use a toothbrush to remove stains.

•For darker stains like tea, coffee, or blueberry juice, immediately run boiling water over the stain until it is gone. Allowing these stains to set will be very difficult to remove. Please be careful with using boiling water!

•With other fruit or dirt stains, sprinkle salt on the stain and use cold water, dish soap, and a toothbrush to gently remove the stain. If this doesn’t work try adding a bit of vinegar into the water.

•Store bought stain removers are probably your best bet for removing stains. Great products like OxiClean, Tide Stain Brush, and Tide to Go work great for most stains.

Most people immediately take their clothing from the washer and toss it into the dryer. But, we must advise you to stay away from dryers as much as possible. Dryers wear clothing out and fades color in fabrics. Excessive drying will cause cracks and fading in decorative prints. Try hanging your garments outside in dry air and natural sunlight.

Clothing dryers use a large amount of electricity resulting in higher electric bills and contributing to global warming. If you have no other choice but to use a dryer set the temperature to a warm setting and clean out the filter before each use. If the temperature of your dryer is set to high your garments will come out wrinkled and fade quickly.

After drying, hang clothing up immediately. Shirts will last longer and look the best when hung up and not folded. Eventually the folded wrinkles will show more the longer they sit in the drawer. If you have to use a dresser, smooth out the folded wrinkles and iron them out before wearing the garment.  Avoid using the iron directly on printed decorated areas (try ironing your shirt inside out!).

Taking care of clothing and properly washing them will allow your shirts to last the longest and look the best. We want your shirts to be memorable and last as long as possible. If you have any tried and true methods we haven’t included, feel free to let everyone know with a comment below.

Top Family Reunion Phrases
January 27, 2010

Every year we get family reunion orders that are great! Some families have a big cook out at a park, go on a cruse, go to theme parks or just hang out in someoneʼs back yard. Whatever the family does is great, as long as they are together! Here are some top favorite phrases that the t-shirts designs say…

Families are like fudge, mostly sweet with a few nuts.

I am not the only fruit cake in the ___ Family.

A family that debates together, stays together

A family that prays together, stays together.

Keep the tradition going year after year.

Find out where you got your good looks.

Divided by distance, United by roots.

Creating dysfunction for decades.

Yes we did! The ___ Family.

Crusinʼ with the ___ Family.

I survived the ___ Reunion.

Family Sweet Family..

United in Love.

Family First.

This list will never end, we always get a new idea every month. Thanks for the phrases everyone!

Scouting Celebrations Across the Nation
January 25, 2010

Basic RGBThe BSA centennial is just around the corner. While there are many celebrations at the national BSA level, such as the National Jamboree and National Hall of Leadership, there are plenty of other galas and events being planned separately.

Since the centennial falls on a Monday, many are holding their celebrations the following weekend. The River Trails District in Missouri is holding a “Boy Scouts of America Scout Expo” on Saturday, February 13. The event, which is free, will be held at the Saint Robert Community Center and is open to the public. Activities include a Dutch oven cooking contest, Scouting trivia, and Scouting displays. This event promises to be a lot of fun!

This celebration is a little closer to home. Troop 370 of  Homosassa, Florida will hold their celebration on Monday, February 8, 2010, the same day of the centennial. Their celebration includes an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Christopher Bebow and the unveiling of their memorial plaque. Cake, always a plus, will be available with the special privilege of cutting belonging to the oldest and youngest scouts of the troop.

Some Scouts are cooking to celebrate the centennial. Boy Scout Troop 16 of Parker, Colorado are dedicating their annual Pancake Supper to BSA’s 100th birthday. Pancake Supper is a humble misnomer; Troop 16 dishes out all-you-can-eat pancakes with hash browns, sausage, and a variety of drinks. There’s even a fruit or syrup topping option! As an added benefit, every ticket purchased donates a dollar to the Eagle Scouts.

On January 9, 2010, Cape Fear Council held a council wide day of service. Cape Fear Council of Wilmington, North Carolina encouraged every Scout unit in their area to do community service on that day. Executive Doug Clevinger hopes for several thousand man-hours of service. Units who participated on that day will be recognized at their Council Recognition Banquet in late February. Cape Fear Council also plans to allow Scouts who have their Totin’ Chip cards to assist in the carving of a centennial totem pole!

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In a unique collaboration with Boy Scouts of America, Dale Coyne of Dale Coyne Racing is promoting Scouting with a new BSA IndyCar. The car, number 19, will race in the IndyCar Series 2010 scheduled races (that’s 17 in total!). The BSA No. 19 car will help to promote science, technology, and math and commemorate the centennial.

Another unique celebration was located in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Partnered with Fender’s Farm, the Sequoyah Council of Johnson, TN kicked off their year long celebration of the centennial with a 7-acre corn maze. The maze is about two miles of trails with 85 points to decide “Left? or right?” The maze was opened early for Scouts exclusively and then to the public in September of 2009. The maze features a replica of the BSA’s eagle emblem at its center.

There are many other celebrations that are taking place all over the country, the world even! Boy Scouts of America has been here for five generations. Many Scout alumni comment how they believe their lives would be completely different if not for Scouting. This upcoming centennial is worthy of note; what better way than to celebrate? What is your pack/crew/etc doing to celebrate BSA’s 100th Anniversary?

“Boy Scouts of America: Today” National Photo Contest
January 15, 2010

Young hiker

There is a national photo contest going on in celebration of the upcoming Boy Scouts of America centennial. But this isn’t just your normal national photo contest. Winners of this photo contest will actually have their entries printed in a new book to be published in October 2010.

The book, called Boy Scouts of America: Today, is to be published by DK Publishing, Inc. DK Publishing has published many BSA books including Pinewood Derby Speed Secrets and the Boys Life Series: Dangerous Beasts. Their newest book will visually depict the 12 points of the Scout Law: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent. Winners will receive a copy of Boy Scouts of America: Today and a $50 gift card for official Scouting merchandise to be purchased through Scoutstuff.org or any participating Scout shop.

The Boy Scouts of America: Today photo contest began on January 12, 2010; all entries must be received by March 21, 2010. Entries must depict any or all of the 12 points of Scout law, and be representative of Scouting activities. The Scouting events pictures must have been taken within one year of the entry date. Click here to learn more about the contest and to submit your photos!

Replanting Flaming Arrow Scout Reservation
January 14, 2010

The Flaming Arrow Scout Reservation is a Boy Scout camp located just outside of Lake Wales, Florida. It serves as the largest camping and training facility owned and operated by Gulf Ridge Council. The camp’s 1,200 acres are used by Boy Scouts, Boy Scout Troops, the Order of the Arrow, and many other organizations to facilitate their activities and programs. But in 2004, three hurricanes reduced the once lush camp grounds to a miserable shell of what it once was.

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In 2004, Hurricane Charley, Hurricane Frances, and Hurricane Jeanne all passed over Flaming Arrow causing massive vegetation loss and damage to all of the structures there. Flooding became a major issue with some areas of the camp flooded for over a month. Flooding issues persisted and destroyed much of the original landscape.

Flaming Arrow staff and volunteers spent months  clearing fallen trees from the paths, campsites, and program areas. Almost all of the trees and plants that existed in the flood waters died.

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bsa2010_fasr-trees-letter-3

Click to read Gulf Ridge Council's letter of support!









The camp closed after the hurricanes, straining the camp’s already tight budget. Without the Summer Camp and other programs active in Flaming Arrow, there were no incoming funds to help offset the damage caused by the hurricanes.

Flaming Arrow has since recovered; the flooding has passed, buildings have been rebuilt, and many trees have been planted in order to repopulate the area. But the camp still remains in a dire state. The skyline is still ragged in areas once thick with pine trees.  This is precisely why ClassB joined with the Arbor Day Foundation.

For every tree purchased for the BSA Centennial Forest in Flathead National Forest, ClassB will match the contribution and plant a tree in the Flaming Arrow Scout Reservation. We want nothing more than to see the rebirth of both of the storm-damaged sites. It’s our goal to plant at least 100 trees at each location, bringing Flathead back to life, and restoring the Scouts campsite to it’s original state of beauty.

Supporting the Troops, ClassB style
January 12, 2010

Bob Williams a.k.a. 'Uncle Bob'

Bob Williams a.k.a. 'Uncle Bob'

ClassB was at it again! On Saturday, January 9, 2010, we volunteered to help Bob Williams pack and prepare care packages to send to troops stationed overseas.

The early birds arrived at Bob’s warehouse and listened to stories in his office. He told us of his experience as a sailor, how he started these successful efforts, and the luxuries of being in America.

It was an eye-opener to ponder on what my day-to-day life would be like without access to hot water or toiletries. It made me realize that my everyday conveniences were luxuries the troops yearned for while overseas. Bob, who I view as a noble man with these everyday acts of selflessness, makes a world of difference in these troops lives.

When everyone from ClassB arrived, Bob gave us the grand tour of his entire warehouse (which is a lot bigger than it appears). Bob receives donations from everywhere. He has coffee, flossers, toothbrushes, pens, paper, cookies, DVDs, candy, cigars, and even Wii consoles!
Some donated food items

Some donated snacks

See the Wii?

See the Wii?

Cigar Humidors

Cigar Humidors

Bob's warehouse is huge!

On the tour









Bob also told us that he doesn’t just send things that are donated. He makes an honest effort to get troops items they specifically ask for or what he feels they need. He has sent spotlights, flashlights, knives, and even red dot scopes. It seemed weird to me at first, but then I realized that these items were practical.

Bob told us the gifts have more of an impact than any of us know. He related a story about how a Beanie Baby saved Marines from certain death. They were trying to pass over a bridge, but there was a little girl playing in the middle with a Beanie Baby. They got out to talk to her and get her out of the way, only to realize that she was playing near a land mine. She saved their lives.

Another story Bob told us was more on the humorous side. Bob has a lot of cigar humidors in his warehouse. He sends them to the troops to give as gifts to leaders. Bob received a letter asking him to be careful about sending them; apparently, an Iraqi leader was so impressed with this gift, that he tried to give his daughter away in return. Again, the things Bob sends have more of an impact that any of us know, including Bob.

Gregg, leader of the bagger people

Gregg, leader of the bagger people

The cart we used to tote care bags

The cart we used to tote care bags

Sisco making boxes for the care bags

Sisco making boxes for the care bags

The finished boxes, ready to be shipped

The finished boxes, ready to be shipped










After the tour, we began to make the care packages. We divided ourselves up into three groups: baggers, runners, and boxers.

Baggers, using the assembly line method, filled 1-gallon Ziploc bags with candy, tooth brushes, thank you cards, and other various items on the table. Runners went back and forth between the tables taking empty boxes to be recycled and replacing the box with either the same item, or a similar one from storage on the second floor. Boxers took the cart full of finished bags and boxed them. We fit about 25 bags into each box.

Two other groups came in to help out, which made everything a lot quicker. All-in-all, I would have to say that ClassB successfully filled 50+ boxes. That’s at least 1,250 bags, and at least 1,250 troops lives we made a difference in.
Thank you Uncle Bob!

One of many 'thank you' notes Bob has. Thank you Uncle Bob!

Stickers brightened up the boxes and said various patriotic statements

Stickers livened up the boxes with patriotic statements

Look how fast Eddie is moving to get things done!

Look how fast Eddie is moving to get things done!

We made sure these bags were packed

We made sure these bags were packed with love!











We want to thank Bob Williams for including ClassB in his efforts. While he will never turn down a helping hand for donations to the troops, what Bob really needs is help with postage. Donate to his cause here. Thank you for supporting the troops!
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