December 2005 - The National Amtelco Equipment Owners (NAEO) has  been named to the 2006 Associations Advance America Honor Roll, a national  awards competition sponsored by the American Society of Association  Executives (ASAE), Washington, DC.  

NAEO received the award for  its Operator Relief Program, which it coordinated on behalf of the entire  teleservices messaging industry.  This program began in response to  Hurricane Katrina and was designed to help front-line telephone operators  who were seriously affected by the hurricane.  These hourly-wage  employees daily ask, “How May I Help You?” and the industry stepped up to  help them in their hour of need.  This program raised and distributed  approximately $105,000 that went directly to operators who had sustained  great losses during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  

Joseph Miller,  NAEO President-elect, of Checkpoint Communications in Greenville, NC stated,  “Manufacturers, Trade Associations, Association Members, and Call Center  people not associated with any association all contributed. The effort  touched a lot of needy people. In a few cases, the money sent was the first  income that the recipient had received since the storm. In other cases, the  fact that it was especially collected for just them, teleservices messaging  industry workers, was seen as an expression of love and compassion that they  will never forget.”  

Now in its 16th year, the prestigious  Associations Advance America Awards program recognizes associations that  propel America forward – with innovation, knowledge creation, citizenship,  and community service.  Although association activities have a powerful  impact on everyday life, they often go unnoticed by the general  public.  

For more information on NAEO and its programs contact  Shannon Pfarr Thompson at
651-290-6277 or  shannonp@ewald.com