By Bill Morgan, Staff Writer
As part of LDI/LPI’s 100 year anniversary, Ann Miller — the daughter of Chairman Mike Fiterman — is spearheading the organization’s 100th Anniversary Initiative called “The Great Gratitude Tour”.
July 1, Miller and her entourage mounted a bus to begin the three-week tour of “life, liberty and the pursuit of gratitude.” LDI executive team and advisory board members will sprinkle their attendance on the bus and at pit stops throughout the tour across America along with their awesome spouses and kids.
July 4, the tour stopped in the nation’s capitol where they partnered with military personnel, vets and patriots. They’ve made stops in Georgia, Tennessee, Texas and visited their Mexicali and Tijuana plants. Then on to San Diego, Phoenix, Rock Island, IL, Omaha and this week, Minnesota.
Miller and her group stopped at four locations in Becker Thursday to make donations and provide opportunities to give back, thank local employees/customers/communities and inspire more gratitude.
Liberty Paper and LDI executives will deliver more than $26,000 in grants and in-kind donations to five area nonprofit organizations before hosting an appreciation event for more than 500 Liberty Paper employees, their families, nonprofit partners and other community members at Becker City Park from 5 - 8 p.m.
Recipients of donations include: Becker Food Shelf (commercial refrigerator and donations totaling $12,500); Becker Lions Club, ($2,500 and a canopy); Becker Senior Center, ($3,500 and a TV); Beyond the Yellow Ribbon, ($2,500); and Dylan’s Hope Foundation, ($5,000).
The Great Gratitude Tour is inspired by LDI 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, fourth-generation, family-owned LDI is one of the largest privately held companies in the Midwest, comprised of eight companies, including Liberty Paper Company.
For more information on LDI’s Gratitude Movement, visit www.boxesofgratitude.com.
