EL DORADO HILLS, Calif. -

American Recovery Service (ARS) was recently awarded the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Patriot Award for the company’s backing of employees serving in the National Guard and Reserve.

ARS employee Christina Prado serves in the U.S. Army Reserves A Company 328th and submitted ARS as a nominee for the award. Prado was joined by her commanding officer as part of a committee to present the company with this prestigious honor.

ESGR is a Department of Defense program that promotes cooperation and understanding between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers. According to the ESGR website, “Encouraging employers to support and value the balance between employment and military services of members of the National Guard and Reserve, ensures that these ‘citizen warriors’ can defend and protect us at home and abroad with a continued promise of meaningful civilian employment for themselves and their families.”

ARS chief operating officer Dave Copeland explained how the company strives to aid employees who are involved in activities associated with the nation’s military.

“ARS enjoys interacting with employees to reach mutually agreeable arrangements to ensure their employment is maintained while serving our country,” Copeland said. “In addition to providing supportive employment opportunities for our reserve employees, we recognize the value and importance of family readiness support.

“It is our goal to support those who freely give of themselves for our nation,” he continued. “Providing sponsorship for events such as the local ESGR Family Day is another way we’ve been able to contribute toward that goal.”

In the award letter presented to ARS, James Combs, chairman of the California ESGR, offered congratulations and declared, “Your employer support of the Guard and Reserve Patriotic Employer Award reflects the high level of support that you have shown for your employees serving in the United States Armed Forces Guard and Reserve.

“This award recognizes employers, like you, that are providing outstanding support for their National Guard and Reserve employees,” Combs added.

Prado went on to say, “ARS’ support was the backbone of this event, but the support really goes farther than this one event.

“When I must report for duty, I can breathe easy knowing that the team can fill my responsibilities until my return. And I don’t live with the stress or worry about if I will have a job to return to ARS is an asset to the Army Reserve and National Guard and that is why they were granted the Patriot Award,” she continued.