Home > Gwinnett > Rick Badie / My Opinion > Archives > 2006 > July > 25 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USEx-Marine has a good idea: Give away the franchise
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The idea clicked while he was watching CNN. It was a story about war in the Middle East.
Joe Lindenmayer knows what it’s like to be in the U.S. military. He was a corporal in the Marines from 1989 to 1996. He saw duty in Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf War.
“My oldest brother and I were both over there,” said Lindenmayer, president and co-owner of TSS Photography, a youth sports photography firm based in Duluth.
So Lindenmayer has lived the soldier’s life. They leave jobs, careers, and loved ones behind. Then, when they step back into the civilian world, they need jobs. What they trained for and did in the military may not transfer into the marketplace. Skills may not match opportunities. Some may need a hand re-establishing themselves.
Lindenmayer came up with a way to give at least one retired or honorably discharged soldier a leg up. He wanted his firm, a 225-outlet chain, to sponsor a franchise giveaway. Only this contest would be confined to military veterans.
He pitched the idea to other TSS execs.
They embraced it. The rest, as they say, is history.
Early this month, Andrew Stockglausner, a Southern Californian and ex-Marine, claimed the prize: A franchise package valued at $30,000. It includes equipment, training and promotional support.
And it’s gratis.
To understand the roots of Lindenmayer’s philanthropy, you have to know a little about the family and something about his company pillars.
He grew up on a farm in upstate New York, one of seven kids. Military ties run deep.
Dad served in the Army during the Korean War. Joe and an older brother are ex-Marines. Two other brothers were in the Army and another sibling is in the Navy.
TSS Photography, also known as The Sports Section, embraces community. The company mission statement stresses the importance of making communities better. And it recently donated nearly $70,000 to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Military veterans who entered the franchise giveaway contest had to talk about community in their essays. They had to explain their dedication, involvement and outline charitable causes.
“There’s about 20 million veterans in the U.S. right now,” Lindenmayer told me. “That’s a huge population. A lot of them come out of the military with the leadership, courage and discipline to mold into a career. They aren’t looking for something free. They just want a start.
“And these men and women have earned it.”
TSS doesn’t plan to host a franchise giveaway every year. Lindenmayer doesn’t want the contest to become trite or for it to be marginalized into a publicity stunt.
“I would love to do it in another five to 10 years,” he said.
But this ex-Marine would love for a dozen or so of the corporations located in Gwinnett to assist a vet. One example: Give a newly hired veteran vacation based on his years of military service.
You don’t have to give away a franchise to recognize their sacrifices for us.
Comments
By Jim
July 25, 2006 06:40 AM | Link to this
What Joe Lindenmayer has done for this one veteran,Andrew Stockglausner, the state of Georgia, in a way, has been doing for decades.
Because I had served over four years in the Marine Corps, when I began teaching, I was credited with four years of seniority for pay purposes.
My salary, the first year I taught, was that of a fifth year teacher.
State Teacher Retirement allowed me to purchase the time I served in the military. For non-Vietnam time I had to pay both my portion and Gwinnett County School’s portion but for Vietnam time I only had to pay my portion.
Now I’m retired and the years I spent in the military will continue to help support me until I die.
By Jan
July 25, 2006 06:45 AM | Link to this
A Few GOOD Men!!!!!
By Larry
July 25, 2006 11:02 AM | Link to this
Pres. Regan said it best. “Sone people go through life wondering if they made a differnce, MARINES don’t have that problem”
Semper Fi from a former Marine
Larry
By ultra elf
July 25, 2006 12:45 PM | Link to this
Pres. Reagan was the best we’ve had in a long time. Forget Clinton, Bush and Nixon. Reagan was a “make my day” kind of President who was admired and respected by our friends, and feared by our enemies. I loved the line “the bombing will begin in one minute. You now have notice.” KABOOM!
By LB
July 26, 2006 12:02 PM | Link to this
I really wish I knew of something I could do to let our veterans know how much I appreciate them. I do not own a company or have much money being a substitute teacher so I’m not in a position of influence.
I do, however feel that I am a person who is loved so much that thousands of men and women are willing to die for my freedom and safety. I have done nothing to deserve such special treatment from this many people. Unfortunately I have nothing to offer in return other than the two words “Thank You”.
At my church during the July 4th season, our veterans and current military personnel are invited to step forward and face the congregation during the song “Salute to the Armed Forces”. When their theme song is being sung and these people come to the front I find it very difficult to continue to play my oboe during that song. I get very emotional because of the numerous people involved in my happiness.
These veterans are an example of what the word LOVE is all about.