DEATH LIST WK 4-2-18 TO 4-6-18

To mark its 25^th anniversary in 2018, InTents magazine asked readers to select their favorite brand in 25 distinct categories. Anchor Industries was named InTents Reader’s Choice winner in four key categories: Best Frame Tent Provider, Best Tension/Pole Provider, Most Innovative Tent Supplier, and Best Customer Service.

Bob Traina, CEO of PEAK Event Services in Woburn, Massachusetts, describes why he believes Anchor is the Best Frame Tent Provider: “The advantage of Anchor’s Navi system is its scalability combined with the precision and quality of the frame and fabric.” On Anchor earning the title, Best Tension/Pole Provider, Steve Frost, President of Stamford Tent & Event Services of Stamford, Connecticut, enthuses, “A well-decorated 60- to 120-foot Century has a majesty about it that cannot be replicated with another tent. I don’t think the timeless, grand old peak-top will ever go out of style, so we maintain a large inventory of

Anchor Century Tents.” John Hingeley, President of Skyline Tent Co. of Charlottesville, Virginia, shares his thoughts on what makes Anchor the Most Innovative Tent Supplier: “When Anchor introduced the Aurora, we knew they had taken the time to get it right. The consistency and quality in the construction of the tops along with the proprietary sheer-top fabric which glows at events, combined with the Weather-Shield seal between the top and walls, is a real value-added feature.”

While noted for its outstanding frames and fabrics, Anchor also received accolades for its intangible superiority: Best Customer Service. George Smith, Executive Vice President and Managing Partner of Mahaffey Tent & Event Rentals in Memphis, Tennessee explains, “Working with Anchor is like working with more than a partner; it’s like working with family and friends. They care that much about our success as a business. And it is not because Mahaffey is a big company. They treat every customer that way.”

Anchor Industries, founded in 1892, began as a small riverboat supply house located on the Ohio River. Anchor Supply Company, as it was known then, furnished oil, groceries, paint and other supplies to the steamboat trade. Due to a growing demand for water-proof covers, Anchor’s founder, Louis A. Daus, added canvas goods to the line of merchandise. Today, with 300 skilled workers and over 350,000 square feet of production capacity in Evansville, Indiana, Anchor is one of the world’s most respected producers of tents for events, parties, and weddings, as well as awnings and outdoor fabricshade solutions, plus fabric buildings and structures, safety pool covers, fire shelters, military goods, and other custom fabric and frame products. Throughout its long history, Anchor has pioneered numerous industry-changing innovations.

Youth First, Inc. was awarded a $25,000 grant from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation to support social work services in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC). As part of the grant, Youth First Social Workers will be in local schools to help address the social and emotional needs of young people by building caring relationships, fostering a readiness for positive changes, boosting resiliency and teaching other valuable life skills. These specialized mentors will offer free-of-charge support to students, parents, families and teachers in five local schools.

“Our children are growing up in a complex and challenging world that puts them at greater risk for substance use, suicide, violence, and other harmful behaviors,” said Parri O. Black, resident & CEO of Youth First, Inc. “The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation’s investment and the EVSC’s partnership are critical to achieving Youth First’s mission. Working together, we can protect and heal the hearts of more young people.”

The Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation grant will help fund Youth First’s Social Work services and programs at five EVSC high schools:  Bosse, Central, Harrison, North, and Reitz.

“Anthem is committed to improving the health and well-being of our communities and the people we serve,” said Kristen Metzger, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Plan President. “Through our partnership with Youth First, we’ll be able to improve access to care for those in need while positively impacting and supporting youth who are often the most in need of finding emotional and social help.”

A check presentation for the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation grant will take place on Monday, April 9, 2018, at 2:00 pm at Youth First, 111 SE Third Street, Suite 405, Evansville, IN.  Representatives from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Youth First and Dr. David Smith, Superintendent of the EVSC, will be present. Media is invited to attend.