AQS Community Group

Our AQS Community Group is a committee of volunteer employees that participate in the creation, development, and coordination of AQS events.  The community group organizes a variety of company events throughout the year such as holiday parties, company picnics, charity events, employee fundraisers, and company flu vaccinations.   Our volunteers are committed to helping both internal employees and our surrounding communities.  

Charitable Donations and Events

United Way – Racing to Make a Difference - Last year AQS was proud to announce the “2007 United Way/AQS Sausage Race”!  Yes, we secured the Milwaukee Brewer racing sausage costumes and put them to good use!  Through a nomination and voting process, we identified 5 runners to wear the Klements’ sausage uniforms and compete to benefit United Way.  We had five days of sausage racing events leading up to the big race and a tailgate lunch!       
 

Life’s a Zoo Week - For one week out of the year AQS’ employee-focused program, Life’s a Zoo Week, kicks into gear.  During the eventful week of work/life balance information sessions and fun activities, AQS employees also have the opportunity to donate charitable items for local causes and organizations.   As we learn more about vendors and programs that can help us in our busy lives, we’re helping others by collecting donations for organizations like Goodwill, Hartland Food Pantry, Humane Society, and Waukesha Women’s Center.  Even though our busy lifestyles may seem like a zoo, we know there are other members in our community that are in need of our donations.  

Ronald McDonald House – AQS Annual Charity Bowl - Every year AQS goes bowling for charity!   We organize 8 teams of 5 employees (skilled and amateur bowlers) for an evening of bowling and fun to raise money for a selected charity.   Employees can contribute by bowling on a team, cheering the teams on as a sponsor, or both.  Last year we chose the Ronald McDonald House.  A $10 entry fee covered bowling and shoes, as well as pizza & soda for bowlers and spectators alike.  We raised over $6,000 for the “Ronald McDonald House”! 

American Cancer Society -  Daffodil Days - At AQS, we participate in Daffodil Days, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.  By ordering this first flower of spring through the Daffodil Days campaign, AQS employees can support the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving patient services, educational programs and Nobel Prize winning research, as well as provide hope for a world free from cancer.  Bouquets and other products are ordered during January and February and delivered in March.  A beautiful and giving way to start the Spring Season!  

American Heart Association - “AQS Goes Red for Women” - AQS joined the millions of American men and women that wore red to show their commitment to the fight against heart disease for women.  “WEAR RED DAY” doesn’t just raise money; it raises awareness.  Too many Americans still don’t know that heart disease is the No. 1 killer of U.S. women or what they can do to prevent it.  To raise money for the American Heart Association we sold raffle tickets for a Brighton “Go Red for Women Bracelet”.  By joining “Go Red for Women” our support of this groundbreaking movement helped raise women’s awareness of cardiovascular disease and empower women to reduce their risk. 

AngelsGrace Hospice – “Fun in the Sun Casual Wear Pass”  - AngelsGrace Hospice is a residential hospice that provides end-of-life care to all ages.   Their mission is to provide extraordinary care to patients in their facility, emphasizing quality of remaining life while alleviating pain and other symptoms.  To raise proceeds, AQS employees purchased their “Fun in the Sun Fridays Casual Pass” for $10.  This entitled them to wear walking shorts, hats, and their most colorful shirts every Friday during the month of July and help support a caring organization at the same time.  

Waukesha County Backpack Coalition - For most families in Waukesha County, the back to school experience is one of new supplies, backpacks, clothes and a fresh start for the coming school year.  However, there are a growing number of struggling families who are unable to provide their children with these necessities to ensure a successful start to the new school year.  The Waukesha County Backpack Coalition provides needed school supplies and backpacks to children from low-income families in Waukesha County who are referred by various human service agencies. They rely on the help of organizations, companies, school groups, churches, etc. in the collection of donated backpacks.  At AQS, supporting our community is important to our employees.  They contribute by: purchasing a backpack and filling it with the necessary school supplies, purchasing general school supplies to be donated, or simply by making a monetary donation.   We want to help ensure all children and students in our community have the supplies they need for a proper education.   

Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin – AQS Holiday Giving Tree - Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, Inc. has operated retail and human service programs since 1919.  Today, they have grown to serve more than 300 adults and seniors with developmental and physical disabilities.  The Goodwill Centers located in Brookfield and Waukesha were very excited and grateful that AQS offered to participate in the Goodwill “My Three Wish” event.  During the holiday season, AQS put a Christmas tree in our lobby and decorated it with “My Three Wishes” tags.  Each tag had the first name of a senior in need as well as their Christmas Wishes.  Employees who wanted to participate could pick a tag off the tree, purchase one of the wishes on that senior’s list, wrap the present and put it back under the tree for AQS to deliver.  It brings us great joy to make a holiday wish come true for those in need! 

Employee Fundraisers

Scott Fleager Day - Scott, a dedicated employee and son of our founder, was a member of the AQS family for over 25 years who courageously battled with cancer during his last few years with the company.  To offer some relief, AQS employees banded together to make his difficult time a little easier.  On Scott Fleager Day, employees purchased AQS shirts, jazz CD’s, hot lunches, and desserts with all proceeds to benefit Scott.  AQS has created an annual memorial award for service in his honor. 

Caring for Karen - Karen, an AQS Project Manager for 2 years, was scheduled for minor back surgery in July of 2007. It was estimated that she would be out for 2-3 weeks.   When Karen started experiencing extreme pain after the successful back surgery, she was diagnosed with a staph infection she had received in the hospital during surgery. This led to an additional surgery.  It began to put a financial strain on her.  Employees participated in the AQS Food and Auction day with all proceeds going to assist Karen.  We organized food and prize items for employees to bid on or purchase.  All proceeds went to Karen.  

Rally for the Rohdes - It was a terrible day for Mary when, on April 1st, 2004, her husband, John, was unexpectedly diagnosed with kidney cancer.  Over the next 4 months Mary cared for John while he battled the disease.  Mary was the sole caregiver for John and continued to work through April and May.   Exhausted, she took a leave of absence in June and July to be with John full time.  

To help during her leave of absence and off-set some of the medical costs, AQS sponsored a number of fundraisers.  In one event we sponsored a "Deliciously Different Breakfast" where employees could purchase a ticket to receive a hot meal of 6 different breakfast items and a chance to win a "One Night Get Away" for four at the Blue Harbor Resort. All proceeds for the event went to Mary and John Rohde to help during John's illness.  Mary has been with AQS for over 7 years, and talking to her now, she remembers how nice it was of her coworkers to chip in and help them through such a difficult time.

Fear Factor for Marilyn - Marilyn Harris, our beloved Administrative Assistant, or as she liked to call herself, “Director of First Impressions” was the friendly face of AQS for 12 years.   When Marilyn fell ill with cancer in 2006, AQS employees pitched in and organized many fundraising events to help her out.   For example, we held “Fear Factor for Marilyn”!  For $1 employees were able to vote from a list of volunteers they would like to see eat from a 2 lb jar of “Penrose Hot Sausages”- a scary treat!  For every 10 votes that the volunteer received, they would need to eat one sausage or pay $10 per sausage to get out of it.  Other, less brave employees opted to by a raffle ticket to win the mystery prize box.  Our employees were willing to do just about anything for Marilyn and through some scary events we raised money to assist Marilyn during her illness.