Happy 4th of July!

247 years ago, the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia. Since then, national pride has been written large in the States. Those who contribute to their country and help maintain its freedoms, such as military personnel, as well as community service men and women, are celebrated and honored even more during this time! And these are the very people that we want to focus on today. 

Throughout the year, LANXESS Americas supports many local organizations, including their local first responders, in an effort to give back to the community and support those who help keep our employees safe. 

Recently, colleagues at our Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania headquarters , lended some helping hands to their local first responder, the Imperial Volunteer Fire Department, during the department’s annual six-week Fish Fry fundraiser. After all, the local fire department is always ready to serve the LANXESS site should something not go quite right in Pittsburgh!

As a thank-you to the long-standing relationship with the fire department and its significant contribution to the community, including being guest speakers and demonstrators at the HQ’s 2022 Performance and Culture Safety Day, the Pittsburgh colleagues gave back by helping to organize volunteers to work the department’s Fish Fry event!

During the Lenten season, spanning six weeks leading up to Easter, it is very common for to eat fish on Friday’s while abstaining from meat. During this time, many fire departments, churches, restaurants and bars begin to offer fish sandwiches to the community! 

The Imperial Volunteer Fire Department, which is made up solely of volunteers, operate, plan and cook for these Fish Fry’s. But even when the event is in full swing, the firefighters still are answering calls. That’s where the LANXESS employees came in! Pittsburgh colleagues helped the volunteer fire department team prepare and serve the food and helped clean-up, allowing the fire department to rely on LANXESS volunteers while they focused on any emergency calls that they received during the day. This was very much appreciated, as the Fish Fry is  the most important event for the fire department, as this event is where most of their annual funds come from! 

The event was not only a great success for the fire department, but it was also a great team-building activity for LANXESS employees. Pittsburgh colleagues enjoyed being able to say  thank you and have the chance to give back to the fire department that serves and protects the community where our HQ is, and where many of our employees live. 

The support doesn't stop there, though. LANXESS also supported the Charleston, South Carolina fire department with a generous donation of $10,000 in specialized rescue equipment. In addition, the fire department held training sessions on safety. As part of this, an annual HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) training session was held, with more than 100 people attending six different courses. Firefighters from all three Charleston Fire Department shifts helped complete this OSHA-required training with LANXESS employees teaching them how to use hoses and other tips for working with hazardous materials.

Showing dedication and serving their country, however, is not the only thing that makes Americans proud. The American flag has great significance in the culture. In addition to the Fourth of July, June 14th is National Flag Day, which honors and celebrates the American flag. And for that reason, El Dorado Head of Land & Advocacy Management , Mark Day and colleagues donated both an American flag and an Arkansas state flag to the Barton Library in El Dorado, Arkansas! The donations of these flags symbolizes the gratitude for the work of the public library, and demonstrates unity and solidarity with their community partner.

Along with independence, bravery and unity of the nation, the flag represents one thing to Americans: love for the country.

LANXESS wishes all Americans and fellow American colleagues  a happy 4th of July and Independence Day. Please take the day to celebrate yourselves and those who have made sacrifices for the freedoms of the United States of America!