Over the
course of Rich’s nearly eleven years as proprietor
of Tastee Freez, more than 315 students have benefited
from the opportunity of employment under his management.
Even more impressive, it should be noted that if
we were to consider his entire career in business,
Rich has employed well over 1,000 young people.
Sand Lake and Gladys Wood were the first School Business
Partners in the area with Tastee Freez. The second
year included Mears and soon after, Chinook and Dimond
High became official participants in the program. All
together, more than 22 Anchorage schools benefit from
Rich’s generosity in innumerable
ways. Students and organizations seeking assistance
with team sponsorships, car washes, and many other
fund raising activities find a willing partnership
with Tastee Freez.
Kincaid Elementary has enjoyed the “Richness” of
our School Business Partnership since the school’s
construction in 1996. From the judging of Spelling
Bees to Auctioneering at a PTA fundraiser, Rich is
always willing to pitch-in and help-out.
He offers a wide-variety of incentive possibilities
on which our students thrive. For instance, in a period
of six weeks, Kincaid students read over 500,000 minutes
above and beyond the normal school day in the HOWL
(Helping Ourselves With Literacy) Program. For their
efforts, the students received a delicious Tastee Freez
Ice Cream Sundae with all the trimmings.
Teacher Take-Over Day at Tastee Freez is a sight to
behold. On these Saturdays, teachers and staff from
partnering schools descend upon Tastee Freeze and try
their hand at creating and preparing the delicious
treats and exquisite food that dignifies the menu.
Students get the opportunity to chuckle at their teachers,
principals, and other staff members trying desperately
to “dip
the cone without losing the ice cream.”
Mr. Rich Owens, owner and operator of Tastee Freez,
sets the standard for dedication and community commitment
as an active participant in multiple School Business
Partnerships within the Anchorage School District.
Mr. Owens identifies with the contemporary belief that
businesses and schools, working cooperatively together,
can significantly enhance the positive development
of our youth as they strive to become capable, compassionate,
and productive citizens. For Rich, Tastee Freez has
become the vehicle by which he delivers the near perfect
blend of great civic pride and small business accomplishment. |
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Rich Owens, Tastee Freez
“All
businesses have a responsibility to support
the communities in which they operate, and
the ASD School Business Partnerships offer
a structured program; that is [it] provides
a win - win situation for business and education.
Today’s students will be a businesses’ employee
or customer of the future. One of the best
ways for a business to help produce the “great
employee” or “loyal customer,” is
to be involved with their education, and provide
a positive role model. There is no better cost
effective way for “small” or “big” business
to be a Great Corporate Citizen, than the School
Business Partnership Program. I believe that
for the past 10 years, SBP has helped Jewel
Lake Tastee Freez be successful.” |
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