COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Deluxe Corporation , the nation's leading check printing company, announced today that its subsidiary, Deluxe Financial Services, Inc., received three military awards recognizing its support of enlisted military personnel. The awards were presented to leaders in the company's Colorado Springs customer care center during a ceremony held on May 25.
Sergeant Luke James nominated the company and his manager, Judy McElderry, for the awards because of the support he received when his battalion was activated in January of 2003.
Major General Fred Fleetmeyer, on behalf of the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), presented the ESGR Above and Beyond Award to Christine Shea, Deluxe's leader of customer experience. Maj. Gen. Fleetmeyer also presented the ESGR Patriotic Employer Award to Dale Wendlandt, Deluxe's Colorado Springs facility manager. These awards recognize employers whose personnel practices support employee participation in the National Guard and Reserve.
To close the ceremony, Maj. Gen Fleetmeyer and Sgt. James presented Judy McElderry, Colorado Springs team leader, the ESGR Patriot Award which recognizes managers who have provided extraordinary assistance to their National Guard and Reserve employees. "I can't thank Deluxe enough for going above and beyond the call of duty and supporting me throughout my military activation," Sgt. James said. Sgt. James is a member of the 2nd Battalion, 157th Field Artillery and is currently stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs.
"The ESGR is a liaison between reservists and employers," Maj. Gen. Fleetmeyer explained. "We are pleased to recognize Deluxe for assisting its employee reservists on active duty by extending pay differential for those reservists for up to 17 months and basic employee benefits coverage for up to 24 months," he said.
"At Deluxe, we feel an obligation to support our employee reservists when they are called to duty, and to lessen the financial hardship they often face," said Shea. "We are proud to have them on our team and are honored to be receiving these awards."
About Deluxe Corporation
Deluxe Corporation, through its industry-leading businesses and brands, helps financial institutions and small businesses better manage, promote, and grow their businesses. The company uses direct marketing, distributors, and a North American sales force to provide a wide range of customized products and services; personalized printed items (checks, forms, business cards, stationery, greeting cards, labels, and shipping/packaging supplies); promotional products; and merchandising materials, fraud prevention services, and customer retention programs. The Company also sells personalized checks and accessories directly to consumers. For more information about Deluxe, visit http://www.deluxe.com/ .
About the ESGR
The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an agency within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve members and their civilian employers to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment. Today, ESGR operates through a network of more than 4,500 volunteers throughout 55 committees located in each state, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Europe. The ESRG sponsors an award program designed to recognize employers for employment policies and practices that are supportive of their employee's participation in the National Guard and Reserve. For more information about the ESGR, visit http://www.esgr.org/ .
