October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States. It accounts for about 30% (or 1 in 3) of all new female cancers yearly.  Even though it is more common in women, men can also develop breast cancer. About 1 out of every 100 breast cancer cases are found in men in the U.S. That is why spreading awareness is crucial in promoting early detection, educating people about prevention, and supporting fundraising efforts that drive research. 

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Revitalizing Sustainability: Asphalt Materials and US Aggregates Unite in Pallet Reusing Initiative 

Heritage Construction + Materials companies Asphalt Materials, Inc. (AMI) and US Aggregates have joined together to build a program that finds new ways to reuse AMI’s pallets at US Aggregates’ locations.  

This initiative keeps AMI from recycling their pallets through a third-party vendor, as well as from being discarded. It also aids in increasing efficiency amongst US Aggregates since the pallets will be received through an internal company.   

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Better Together: One HC+M Supporting Reins of Life

At HC+M, we know that our work in the communities we serve expands beyond construction projects. We build relationships within our Heritage family and give back to organizations who serve our community and our very own team members. We are proud to share how Milestone Contractors, Asphalt Materials, Inc. and US Aggregates came together to support Reins of Life in Michigan City, Indiana. 

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How To Drive Safely This Holiday Season

(Featured Photo by Thom Holmes on Unsplash)

The holiday season is upon us, which means sitting for prolonged periods in the car. Whether it is traveling to visit loved ones or attend a festive event, safety behind the wheel should be a priority. During the holiday season, adverse weather conditions, heightened traffic, and various distractions can call for challenges on the road. Holiday events and celebrations should be a joyous time for friends and family, but these celebrations can quickly turn into a tragic event if we are not being mindful. AAA predicts there will be 55.4 million people traveling (including more than 49 million Americans driving) between the Wednesday before Thanksgiving (November 23) and the Sunday after the holiday — making this the third-busiest Thanksgiving travel period in more than two decades. This season lets us make a commitment to road safety, the wellbeing of ourselves, our passengers, our hard-working road crews and fellow motorists.  

Here are simple ways you can stay safe on the roads this holiday season: 

  • Do not drink and drive. Do not drive when you are impaired, and do not allow your family members or friends to drive while impaired either. Designate a sober driver, call a taxi, or use a ride share service to protect yourself and others on the road. 
  • Inspect your vehicle. Take the time to ensure all of your lights are working and all fluid levels are normal. Check your tires, tire pressure, headlights, taillights, brake lights, and tag lights. 
  • Map out the route. Plan your route ahead of time and be aware of how projected weather conditions may affect your travels. 
  • Click it or ticket! Ensure you and your passengers are properly restrained in seat belts and car safety seats. 
  • Avoid fatigue. Ensure you receive a good night’s rest before driving, take breaks. If you begin to feel tired, share the driving or pull off the road to a rest area.  
  • Have an emergency plan. It is important to have a cell phone and charger with you in case of emergency situations. Keep emergency roadside assistance information on hand. 
  • Do not text and drive. Keeping your full attention on the road is important to ensure your and other motorists’ safety. If you need to use your cellphone, utilize a hands-free device. 
  • Keep a safe driving distance. A safe driving distance allows for ample time to react to traffic around you. If someone is tailgating you, allow them to pass and do not try to compete with impatient, aggressive drivers.  
  • Watch your speed. Do not go over the speed limit (especially in work zones) and give yourself plenty of time to arrive at your location. 
  • Remain calm. If you begin to feel stressed or irritable, take deep breaths and maintain your patience. If you drive with road rage, it compromises the safety of yourself and fellow drivers. 

Happy holidays, and safe travels from the AMI team! 

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United for Service November 13-17: Tackling Food Insecurity

United for Service is an opportunity for you to volunteer side-by-side with fellow Heritage family from November 13-17. This experience is all about building a sense of community among the Heritage family while also giving back in a meaningful way to the communities we live and work in.

History of United for Service

In 2014, the Fehsenfeld Family Council decided it was time to refocus their family retreats, family members wanted to become more involved surrounding their gatherings and wanted a way to connect and give back to the community. Together they decided learning and giving back as a group was the best way to move forward. The family established two models for their retreats, United for Learning and United for Service. The goal is to gather and learn something new and take on a community service project.

The family chose November 17 for its day of service because November 17 holds a special day for The Heritage Group – it is the day that the company was founded. In 1930, during the Great Depression, John E. Fehsenfeld met a need in his community, delivering home heating oil. From this beginning, the family business has grown to more than 30 operating companies, 5,000 employees, in 47 states and four countries.

Together through United for Service, we can all help meet another need – putting food on families’ tables. Because of our size and footprint, we have the power to make an impact within our communities.

Why Focus on Food Scarcity?

The need for food is key to our existence, it is a part of our culture. But for some, putting food on the table is a struggle.

According to the USDA, more than 34 million people, including 9 million children, in the U.S. are food insecure. Every community is home to families who face hunger, and this is even more true in rural communities where there are limited job opportunities and limited transportation options to reach grocery stores or pantries.

Thankfully, there are many community-based organizations that help address this issue. You can support those causes by volunteering with food pantries, soup kitchens, and meal providers during United for Service Week.

How to Participate

Sign up with your team

In our largest markets, members of the Social Impact Task Force are working to create impactful volunteer experiences to fit each location’s employee base, schedule, and space. There might be an on-site event as well as options that get you offsite to see what the fight against hunger looks like in the community. Whatever time you can give to this cause is appreciated. Check the volunteer sign-up for opportunities in your area.​​​​​​​

To sign up for a volunteer shift, click here. You can search for volunteer opportunities within your area by typing in your location in the search criteria box.

Other locations/remote employees

The opportunities to amplify our impact are endless. Use our Remote Volunteer Guide to plan your own experience in your community or set up a food drive or a snack bag packing event.

Have a question to ask or a story/photo to share? Be sure to contact [email protected].

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Fight for a Cure: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States. The average risk of a woman to develop breast cancer in her lifetime is about 13%, meaning there is a 1 in 8 chance of development.  No matter what the percentage is, women who have been affected by cancer are more than a statistic. They are a mother, daughter, grandmother and a friend.  

The month of October is a time to bring awareness to breast cancer and those who have been affected by it. We know awareness alone isn’t enough, so it is important to get involved, get screened and take action.  

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Raising Awareness for Suicide Prevention

Story provided by Ashlyn Halstead (Milestone Contractors)

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. This is an important time and reminder to recognize those who have been affected by suicide, to create awareness, and build a support system for those in need. It’s essential to remember that there are resources available to help you or someone you know when it comes to understanding the signs of suicide and how to handle them.

Mental health organizations across the country provide resources, support groups, and hotlines for anyone seeking help and guidance in this difficult time. In our industry, physical health and safety are often valued and promoted but we realize that being healthy starts first with being well mentally.

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Mitchell Kovalsky Promoted to Senior Project Engineer

We are pleased to announce the promotion of Mitch Kovalsky to Senior Project Engineer in the AMI Capital Project Engineering Group. In this role, Mitch will continue to lead projects critical to our business operation while supporting implementation of the overall capital plan.

Mitch graduated from Purdue University in 2018 as a Chemical Engineer and joined AMI as a Lab Tech at the Indianapolis Plant. Shortly after, in March of 2019, he joined the engineering team as a Project Engineer.

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Work Safety on the Job

At Asphalt Materials Inc., our safety is our culture. Our purpose is to build a safer, more enriching, and sustainable world by harnessing the power of family. We not only want our workers to go home safely, but we also want them to create a healthy environment that focuses on communication, accountability, and preparation. As a family business, it is our job to look out for one another and prioritize our wellbeing.

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