Our tagline boasts "Products that Inspire." But really, at the heart of our company, are people that inspire.

Yesterday, several of our employees joined our friends at Keller Williams Realty to deliver supplies to the flood victims in West Virginia. What they witnessed was life-changing.

Once the supplies were unloaded, we traveled around the streets closest to the river.  The destruction and devastation was shocking. People were quietly working to carry out water and mud-soaked belongings — or what was left of them. They were still in shock, but at the same time, so thankful for the gallons of water we carried to them.  Over and over again, we heard "God Bless You" and "Where did you travel from?"

I asked a young mother if her two small boys were okay. She softly stated (so her boys could not hear), "We have to find a new home." She was fighting back tears. I could tell by the look on her face that she had lost everything.
 
In the center of town, an entire parking lot was filled with people preparing food, donations of food and supplies being dropped off. There was a  quietness in the air, as if no words needed to be spoken. 

I don't have much money, but what I do have is time and strength. I went to West Virginia because Keller Williams gave us this great opportunity to help a community in need. I can't imagine how helpless they all must feel. It was a truly powerful experience that I was happy to be a part of. The most rewarding part of volunteering was going down each road to deliver water to those unable to get to the supply tents or check-points. They were all so truly thankful and stoic, despite the odds.

Yesterday's trip to West Virginia was a very humbling experience for me. I thought of how we take things like running water and lights for granted. Those affected by the storm were so grateful to receive a gallon of water to wash away some of the devastation they had endured. I am truly changed by what I witnessed.

I saw so many people with the look of hopelessness on their face, and yet they've bonded together to help one another. I never heard a cross word from anyone, only helping and caring. This really opened my eyes to what we all take for granted. My heart was filled with joy knowing I did something to help, if only for a few hours.

We might be biased, but our 2017 calendar lineup is gorgeous, helpful and unique. That's all due to these dedicated guys and gals you see here. Led by our amazing graphics manager Susan, this group of designers has spent the past several months creating a collection we think you'll love.

Here at Magnets USA, it's football season.

For the past three months, graphic designers Brian and Ray have been brainstorming, designing and perfecting our best-selling magnetic football schedules. Hear from them about what makes the 2016 lineup such a touchdown:

Brian has designed for a range of audiences, including an architecture firm and a software company. He approaches each project with multiple viewpoints, which helps him avoid creating something one-dimensional.

What’s the most important thing to consider when designing a football schedule?
The excitement of the sport. We try to reflect that in the design of each schedule.

What’s your favorite aspect about this year’s lineup?
We tried to approach the design process a little differently this year, and I think our designs will be appealing to both new and returning customers.

What’s your favorite song to listen to while you’re designing football schedules?
Something up-tempo to get into the right mindset.

Ray studied graphic design at Virginia Tech and has been designing for almost 16 years, mostly in print and web.

How do you get the creativity flowing?
Design ideas are brewing on the back of my head all through out the year, just waiting for the green light to start creating.

How does this lineup differ from years past?
This year's football lineup is pretty unique. We have the new middle personalization, so our clients' business information is more a part of the schedule — rather than just a football schedule with a business information attached to it. We also made it easier for our clients to pick and choose which teams they want featured on a larger schedule (available online soon). Lastly, eye-catching designs on most of our formats.

Who are you cheering for this football season?
It's way past due. This year is the year the Redskins reach the Superbowl. I love the time that leads to the beginning of football season because that's when every football fan is full of hope.

Our schedules feature eye-catching, die-cut shapes like house and bump. (Psst, We're offering shaped schedules at no additional cost right now. Hooray!)

Measuring 5.5 inches x 8.5 inches, our new Massive Make-Your-Own schedule can feature up to 14 teams of your choice.

Lucky for you, a lot of attention-grabbing features come naturally with our popular Festival & Event Schedules, like exclusive die-cut shapes, full-color printing and the best personalization around.

But here are some tips on getting the most out of your fun — and helpful — magnetic marketing piece:

1. Fine-tune your list of events.

Featuring great events will show you're a community expert. This is why we strongly encourage you to compile your own list — after all, you know your neighborhood and clients much better than we do! With the right tools, you can easily find the best, most interesting events in your area.

A great place to begin your search is your local Chamber of Commerce. They often offer visitor guides that are chock-full of popular festivals, fairs and shows. Other resources include civic center websites, local lifestyle magazines and the events section of your town's newspaper.

Remember, your schedule has room for 25 events, so make 'em count!

2. Make your schedule unique with a stellar photo.

While all of our festival schedules feature a gorgeous, high-resolution photo, you do have the option to provide your own. This is a creative way to showcase your town and make your schedule even more personal.

For best results, our graphic designers recommend  sending an image that's at least 3.75 inches x 2.3 inches with a resolution of 300.

3. Choose Billboard Personalization.

Billboard Personalization is our modern, clutter-free way to feature your contact information and portrait. By only highlighting the essentials, your business has room to breath — and shine.

4. Mail smarter.

The very best schedule is one you don't have to mail yourself. With our comprehensive mailing services, we take care of everything — stuffing, sealing, addressing and delivering. We can even prepare a targeted mailing list for you.

Have more questions on creating a Festival & Event Schedule? Check out our 101 Guide.

So you just received your festival or baseball schedules. Now what? Sharing them with the masses! If you're up for a little legwork and a lot of fun, we can help you get them to the right people — because we understand that distributing is just as important as design. Here's what our marketing consultants suggest:

1. Your go-to businesses. Coffee shops, your doctor's office, a favorite sports bar — you're probably going here anyway, so why not leave behind some awesome marketing pieces?

2. Your friends and family. Give a stack of schedules to your biggest supporters, so they can distribute them while they're out and about.

3. Hair salons and barber shops. The latter is especially great for distributing sports schedules. Also, a useful schedule is the perfect pick-me-up for a bad haircut, right?

4. Elementary schools. By sending schedules home with students, their parents become your new prospective clients!

5. Chambers of Commerce. Leaving a stack of festival schedules at your local chamber is an easy and effective way to get your name out there to everyone who visits.

6. On your Facebook page. Post a photo of your schedules to your social media accounts, and ask followers to contact you if they'd like one. Don't underestimate the power of a post!

7. Minor League Baseball teams. Since these teams usually have very tight budgets, most are happy to partner with you to distribute their schedules.

8. Old-fashioned canvassing. As spring makes its way to your town, going door-to-door with your festival schedules is a tried-and-true way to interact with potential clients.

9. Convenience stores. Next time you fill up, leave a stack of baseball or festival schedules by the register.

10. Our full mailing services. No time to distribute schedules yourself? We completely understand. From stuffing and sealing to addressing and shipping your envelopes, we'll mail your pieces to your mailing list. Don't have a mailing list, or just want some fresh contacts? We can help with that, too.