News Release

Rick Stallings, of Columbus, Ga., received Safeguard's prestigious Vincent G. "Buck" Bell Founder's Award during the company's annual meeting held September 12-16 in New Orleans. The Vincent G. "Buck" Bell Founder's Award is given each year to the one Safeguard distributor throughout North America who most demonstrates the same spirit of service in his or her community that was shown by Safeguard founder, Buck Bell.

Stallings has been a Safeguard distributor since 1986. In addition to being an active participant in Safeguard's long-term success, he also has consistently given of himself to help others in need.

Stemming from a trip to Bolivia as a high-school exchange student, Stallings has had a lifelong passion for the peoples of South America. In 2007, he took his first mission trip to Peru to provide service to individuals living in the Andes Mountains. He now travels to Peru once or twice a year, leading teams of young people and adults in ministering their faith and providing medical assistance and food to those living along the Amazon River and in the rainforest.

This spirit of service and a love of children recently led Stallings and his family to adopt a 4 1/2-year-old boy from China. The newest member of the Stallings family, Brooks, had lived in an orphanage for his entire life and had a number of health problems to overcome. However, now that he's settled into life in the U.S., he's doing great and recently started school. In addition to the adoption, Stallings also sponsors four children in Kenya and has committed to pay for their food, clothing and education until they finish school.

But these acts of service are not isolated to Stallings' personal life - they're also present at work. In all of his Safeguard offices, Stallings makes sure to provide ample opportunity for him and his staff to give back to the communities who support the business. Through his Makin' a Difference campaign, employees in each office work as a team to provide gifts to underprivileged families that they "adopt" at Christmas time. They also provide much-needed assistance to the shelters and rescue missions in their areas. In addition, every employee is encouraged to do his or her own community service with an organization of their choice. Employees can work as much as 32 hours a year for their chosen organization and will be paid for that service.

Upon being presented with this prestigious honor, Stallings humbly thanked Safeguard, saying, "This is a very special award because it's a good way to remind us that God has been good, and we've all been so blessed and we need to give back."

ABOUT SAFEGUARD
For more than 57 years, Safeguard, through its network of dedicated distributors, has been providing the products, services and expertise needed by organizations and businesses to help them grow and succeed. Through innovation, dedication and a commitment to quality and integrity, Safeguard has transformed itself from a small check-printing business to a fully diversified business solutions enterprise. Safeguard distributors enjoy a proven and efficient business model that provides them with the opportunity to achieve professional and personal success.

Source: Safeguard Business Systems

Nicki Diller
Safeguard Communications Manager
214.905.4776