Liberty Diversified International Launches Cross-Country "Great Gratitude Tour" to Celebrate Its 100th Anniversary by Giving Back to Local Communities
17 cities, 19 days, millions of dollars in giving, as well as a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS™ title attempt
MINNEAPOLIS, July 2, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Liberty Diversified International (LDI), a Minnesota-based manufacturer of packaging, office furniture and building products with businesses from coast-to-coast, is hitting the road in July to celebrate its 100th anniversary by giving back to local communities. The LDI "Great Gratitude Tour," which kicks off today in New York City, will feature thank-you stops in 17 cities over 19 days and millions of dollars in giving. As part of the tour, the company also will attempt to set the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the most contributions to a greetings scroll in one hour.
The tour is inspired by company founder Jack Fiterman, a Russian immigrant who started selling refurbished wooden boxes on the cobblestone streets of Minneapolis in 1918. Fiterman was so grateful for the unbounded opportunity in America that he named his company "Liberty" in honor of the Statue of Liberty. Today, the fourth-generation, family-owned company — now known as Liberty Diversified International — is comprised of eight companies across the U.S. and is one of the largest privately held companies in the Midwest.
"We're lighting the torch for the next 100 years by working to inspire people across the country to share their gratitude, do good for others and get involved in their communities," said Mike Fiterman, chairman of the board of LDI and the grandson of the company's founder. "We are a company born from gratitude. It's a core part of who we are that continues to this day. As we honor our centennial year, it's only fitting that we begin our Great Gratitude Tour in New York, the city that is the home to the symbol of freedom, hope and opportunity in America."
Going for a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title
At the finale event of the tour on Friday, July 20, in Brooklyn Park, Minn., LDI will attempt to set the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the most contributions to a greetings scroll in one hour. Employees, customers and community members will be invited to sign their name and write their personal messages of gratitude on a long brown paper scroll, which symbolizes LDI's roots in the corrugated paper and packaging industries. More than 1,000 signatures are needed to set the record.
Inspiring gratitude across America
Between July 2 and July 20, the company's branded Great Gratitude Tour bus will travel more than 6,000 miles across the country — from New York to California — making stops in communities where its employees live and work. Each stop on the tour will feature thank-you events, activities and donations to national and local nonprofits to support those in need and recognize those who serve the greater good.
The scroll that will be used for the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title attempt also will be on the tour, giving people in the other 16 markets along the way the chance to contribute messages of gratitude to the scroll. In addition, the company will preview its gratitude education initiative with local school leaders, which is designed to help instill a mindset of gratitude in today's youth — from prekindergarten through high school. The gratitude education initiative will formally launch this fall.
In New York City, the theme for the stop will be the "American Dream." In recognition and appreciation of its own beginnings, LDI is flying in 30 employees for a launch event and tour of the city. The company also will present donations to HIAS, an organization that provides humanitarian aid and assistance to refugees, the New York Immigration Coalition and Grateful Peoples.
In Washington, D.C., LDI has invited employees who are military veterans to visit Arlington National Cemetery as part of a "Democracy and Freedom" theme. During the stop, the company will make donations to the Women in Military Service for America Memorial and Our Military Kids, which provides support to children of National Guard and Reserve service members and children of wounded warriors from all service branches.
According to Linda Davidson, founder and president of Our Military Kids, "The spirit of the Great Gratitude Tour helps remind us that together we can make things better. At a time when Our Military Kids has received a nearly 45 percent increase in grant requests from military families in need, we sincerely appreciate the generous support that LDI has provided."
In California, LDI executives will be joined by employees who are cancer survivors for a tour of and a major donation to the City of Hope, a leading, nationally recognized research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.
Events in other cities will focus on themes ranging from celebrating first responders in Atlanta and garbage haulers in Fort Worth, Texas, to children's health and well-being in Omaha, Neb. The tour concludes in LDI's home state of Minnesota, with a "Looking Out to the Next 100 Years" theme, which will include a nonprofit fair and donations to a variety of causes.
"In this day and age, gratitude is more important than ever," Fiterman added. "We have so much to be grateful for. The Great Gratitude Tour is our way of living our values and the legacy that our founder, my grandfather Jack Fiterman, started a century ago."
To learn more about LDI's 100-year celebration and the gratitude movement, visit ldigratitude.com. You can also follow the Great Gratitude Tour on Facebook® at www.facebook.com/libertydiversified and Twitter® at @Liberty_LDI.
About Liberty Diversified International
Founded in 1918 and headquartered in New Hope, Minn., Liberty Diversified International (LDI) is a $675 million company, comprised of a diverse family of businesses competing in several key industries, including paper and packaging, office furnishings, organizational and building products. The company operates 20 facilities across the United States and employs about 1,900 people. LDI seeks to invest in companies that share our values, have outstanding people, display growth potential in their respective markets and realize benefit from our shared services. For 100 years, LDI's values – Caring, Innovation, Trust and Excellence – have guided day-to-day activities. For more information on the company, visit www.libertydiversified.com.
Media contact:
Isaac Sorensen
Carmichael Lynch Relate
612.375.8545
[email protected]
SOURCE Liberty Diversified International
Share this article