Custom Coin

While Tom Brady and Eli Manning were gearing up to play in what became the most-watched program in the history of United States television, our entire city worked diligently  planning and transforming our downtown and surrounding areas to ensure the most successful and safe Super Bowl in history!

As you may have heard Indianapolis recently hosted Super Bowl XLVI … #46 for those fellow Roman Numerically Challenged readers out there. And being that Recognition Services is located in Indianapolis, we were lucky enough to get in on the action by producing some unique pieces!

All kinds of Super Bowl merchandise was being produced and sold; hats, t-shirts, patches, luggage tags, keychains, and of course challenge coins!

So after …

600,000 people in the city

24,574 air port passengers

8,000 official volunteers

66 much anticipated commercials

And 1 censored halftime show

Indianapolis is now being dubbed “the perfect Super Bowl city”. So as our dedicated men and women are still catching their breath from the wonderful event, they are celebrating that success and hard work with commemorative pieces.

We were asked to create custom challenge coins for Indianapolis Police, Fire, Airport Communications Center, Airport Police, Sherriff’s Dept., EMS and Indiana State Police. Take a moment to Ooo and Aww with us over these spectacular mementos of history!

Throughout this post are the photos of the various coins we produced.

Click here to see more of our work!

I recently had the pleasure of producing a custom military coin for a wonderful veteran program Operation Restoration which is offered by The Veterans Administration Medical Center (VAMC) Indianapolis.

Operation Restoration is a weekend retreat designed to reunite couples after one of them returns from combat deployment. The program allows couples to reconnect and renew their relationship.

The weekend retreat is focused on providing a relaxing environment to cultivate self-discovery, enhanced communication and interaction as a couple. Operation Restoration is offered at no cost to qualifying combat veterans and their significant others thanks to a generous grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc.

When Tammy at the VA hospital first told me about the purpose of the coin I was so touched. This program is vital in transitioning a post deployment veteran back into the everyday relationship moments one experiences with their partner.

The custom coin was produces out of brass and features the Operation Restoration logo and core areas of focus. It features a brass swirl diamond cut edge which contrast beautifully against the shiny nickel plating. The electric sparkle texture on both sides allows the art to stay the focus. Even the tiniest detail of the grey camouflage pattern is impeccable.

Couples participating in the program will receive this coin to remind them daily of the components of a loving relationship.

Please click OPERATION RESORATION for more information on the program.

To inquire about your own custom challenge coin, lapel pin or patch, click here.

 

In lieu of Christmas Gifts this year Recognition Services has made a monetary donation to the Wounded Warrior Project on behalf of our dedicated customers.

 

“The Wounded Warrior Project™ (WWP) exists to honor and empower Wounded Warriors who incurred service-connected injures on or after September 11, 2001. On that date, America watched in horror as approximately 3,000 people died including hundreds of firefighters and rescue workers.

The tragic events of Sept. 11 are often the reason warriors say they felt a sense of duty to volunteer for the military.” As stated on the Wounded Warrior Project website.

These individuals chose to defend our country, and that is why we honor them.

So this Christmas we are thanking You by supporting our great country’s men and women who guard our freedom and safety.

From all of us to you, Merry Christmas!

To learn more about the Wounded Warrior Project™ (WWP) visit: http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/

Found in: Challenge Coins, Military Patch, Masonic Lapel Pin, Lions Club Pin

The Naval Special Warfare Group has been in the news a lot lately for their heroic deeds and sacrifices seen around the world.  On May 2, 2011 a group of the elite Navy Seals, a division of under Naval Special Warfare Command, eliminated Osama Bin Laden which thrust the NSWC into the spotlight as the upper echelon of the armed forces.  The world also watched the tragedy of August 6, 2011 when a helicopter crash killed 17 Navy Seals, as well as 8 American and 8 Afghan operatives.  In between these events we were called upon to create a custom challenge coin for the families of the NSWC members stationed in Virginia Beach.  The Virginia Beach outpost of the Naval Special Warfare Command just so happened to be where the families of many fallen soldiers of the August incident lived.

It was a very sobering feeling knowing that just a few weeks before these challenge coins were delivered to the Virginia Beach area that these families were filled with pride for what the Seals had accomplished.  Yet soon after receiving these pocket tokens these families would be filled grief over the loss of their fallen family members.  The coin reads simply "We Also Serve" and outlines the figure of a mother holding an infant, and a little boy saluting the American flag.  The message is simple and powerful, our military families truly serve behind the scenes. 

As much as we as a nation have thanked the troops in all branches of the military for their valiant support and service, I want to take a minute to say thank you to all of the military families out there that also serve.  Thank you for being a support to our heroes.  Thank you to the spouses that endure sleepless nights for the sake of our freedom.  Thank you to the parents of these brave men and women for raising such courageous pillars of humanity.  Finally, thank you to the children of these men and women for carrying the spirit of bravery and justice into generations to come.

If you have taken the time to read this post, I strongly encourage you to leave a message of inspiration to not just the families of the NSWC, but to all families of service men and women so that they might see how much we appreciate them as well.

This past year we have had numerous requests from members of Lions Club International asking for a unique gift that they could give as an award to outstanding Lions or Lions Club supporters.  After quite a bit of design and development, we are pleased to bring to you the Lions Club Etched Medallion Plate!

These awards are a fantastic option when a lapel pin, challenge coin, or certificate simply will not convey enough appreciation.  These plates can be proudly displayed in club entrances, on podiums, and tables as each piece comes with its own satin lined gift box and wooden stand.  Customization options are available for the plates, and the stock design you see above has a low minimum of only one piece!  If you are looking for the perfect gift to let you know your cabinet, sponsors, and volunteers just how special they are then please do not hesitate to contact us today.

Thank you again to all our supporters and customers, we greatly appreciate your business.

Everyday we produce custom coins, custom lapel pins, and custom embroidered patches, each with their own purpose and story.  When our customers tell us their story behind the products they order we know we are helping by creating more than an 'emblem'.  Any time we are able to help our customers and contribute to their stories we are more than happy to do so.

Recently a firefighter in Atlanta whom we've produced custom badges for in the past asked me to pass along his story and ask for our support.  He is working diligently with the Pepsi Refresh program with a goal to open Camp Mai Soli for fostered and adopted children.  I encourage you to read up on his project here and vote for his cause.  As the saying goes, think of the children. 

We want to do more for all of our customers than just create emblems, we want to help create stories of success.  We are only as successful as our customers and their endeavors.  If you are currently working on a project for yourself or your community and you need support and visibility, please do not hesitate to contact us so that we can use these blogs as a podium for your message.  These blogs are visited hundreds of times each week, let us help you spread your message.

Thank you again for your continued support!

Every month we produce dozens of styles of custom challenge coins, and while each has their own unique story and design, there are a few challenge coins that stand out above the rest.  We recently had the opportunity to work with a police officer out in Albuquerque who was also retired Navy.  Dave wanted a custom coin that would symbolize his Navy pride and tell a story of Navy tradition. He wanted to make sure this coin stood above the rest in terms of size and uniqueness, and his idea of going above and beyond the conventional round coin idea ended up paying off great.  By shaping the mold of the coin to mimic the seal for the United States Navy Recruiting Command logo we were able to create something truly unique and collectible. 

It's this level of uniqueness and creativity that we love to work with.  To create a visually striking custom piece that is the center piece of any collection is what we strive for.  We are always eager to see the most unique coin in your collection as well so leave a comment and tell us what the most striking coin is in your collection, and how you came to own it.

If you are in the market for a unique military challenge coin then look no further. 

With the Special Olympics World Games almost upon us we have had the great opportunity to create many custom lapel pins, custom embroidered patches, and custom challenge coins that have been used to raise awareness and funds for this great organization.  Here at Recognition Services we just wanted to take a minute to say thank you to those of you we have had the pleasure of working with for these events.  More importantly we want to say thank you to all the supporters and sponsors of Special Olympics events around the world. 

Each year people from all walks of life and all corners of society will come together in support of the Special Olympics games and participants.  We have seen local Lions Club Members get involved, law enforcement officials take pride in a traditional torch run, and even bikers organizing fundraiser rides for Special Olympics. 

If you are not already involved with this great organization I encourage you to click on this link to see how you can get involved with a program in your area.  It is always a pleasure working with the members of these organizations and their supporters, their spirit of service and humbleness is truly inspiring.

Be a Fan Today!

Every time we answer the phone here at Recognition Services we don't really know what we will be getting in to, we just know that we are contacted to create the highest quality custom lapel pin, challenge coin, or embroidered patch a person can ask for.  So when the phone rang and I answered Mr. Greg Hess's call yesterday I thought it would be business as usual, but little did I know that Greg was going to open up an amazing opportunity for us.  He introduced himself as a local firefighter with the Indianapolis Fire Department, and he wanted to swing by our office to discuss making a custom challenge coin.  A few hours later he was in our lobby and introduced himself as the founder of Project 911 Indianapolis. 


Through his amazing efforts the city of Indianapolis will have a chance to create a memorial using actual pieces of the WTC towers downtown.  I encourage you to check out the site, especially if you are here in Indy, and support his effort any way you can.  His story is amazing, and I truly enjoyed listening to him recount his time at Ground Zero that fateful day back in 2001.  As we wrapped up our meeting regarding the custom coin and custom patch we will be designing for him he pulled out a little pouch containing a rusted and bent piece of metal and placed it in my hands.  Sitting there holding a piece of our nation's history was sobering and humbling to say the least.  What he has done with Project 911 Indianapolis is truly amazing, and we are truly grateful to have the opportunity to work on this project.  If you are part of a group that is planning on creating a memorial piece for the 10 year anniversary of Sept. 11, we would be honored to help you as well.  Please contact us today.

In the spirit of Good Friday I wanted to make a quick post that honors those who make the ultimate sacrifice for their fellow man.  Unfortunately we have seen many police officers killed in the line of duty this year, and frequently we are called upon by the families and departments involved to create a custom challenge coin in their memory.  The police coin you see with this post was actually created for the Santa Ana Honor Guard, and I carry it around with me as a stark reminder of just how noble and courageous men and women of the thin blue line are.  Our heartfelt thanks here at Recognition Services goes out to our civil servants and guardians, as well as their families for the support they offer.  We wish you the best and blessings this Easter weekend. 

By now hopefully all you Lions Club members have received your club supplies catalog.  If you have, would you kindly flip to page 46 and 47 of the catalog so you can put a face with the names you have come to know over the past few years.  You can also see some of our favorite lions club pins and lions club coins we have produced this past year.  Another item I would like to draw your attention to is the new Wipe It Now! cleaners we have introduced to our product line. 

These Wipe It Now! cleaners are another great Lions fundraising idea that you can easily double your investment on.  This item will allow for a customized full color imprint of your design to be put on our stock circle and square shaped pieces.  They are easily applied to your cell phones and can be reapplied multiple times.  They are great for not only screen cleaning, but eyeglass cleaning as well (no more rubbing your glasses on your shirt!).  This microfiber is a very versatile piece, and very easy to clean.  For more information on these pieces please contact us here! 

Now that you know what we look like, feel free to stop by our booths at the upcoming conventions in Seattle and Anchorage and say hey to a friendly face.

Ever since I first saw a Letterman Late Night Top Ten list I have always found the spirit of such a list alluring.  I cannot seem to contain myself from clicking a "Top Ten Reasons...", or "Top Ten Places..."  link, even if it doesn't hold the same satire that Dave has so famously infused in his lists.  So in this vein of thinking I thought it was due time for me to create a Top Ten list of my own, the "Top Ten Reasons to Create a Custom Challenge Coin."

#10 - A challenge coin is a great piece of advertising.  When you spruce up a coin with a company logo and contact info you've just created a great promotional piece for your organization.  A great handout to prospective and existing clients.

#9 - Coins are a great way to show appreciation.  It's a great feeling to give and receive a challenge coin in recognition of a job well done.

#8 - Celebrate an anniversary or a milestone.  A custom challenge coin is a great piece to hand out at a commemorative event.

#7 - The collector's item appeal.  Ask any person that has received a few coins over the years and they can tell you, once you start collecting you are always looking for more.

#6 - Great source of inspiration.  After a person receives a coin they will likely carry it around in their pocket if it is sentimental to them.  I have heard many stories of customers creating a pocket token with an inspirational passage engraved on it.  When they are having a bad day they can pull the token out and appreciate the message.

#5 - Honor a civil servant.  Police Officers / Firefighters / and Soldiers are all accustomed to the challenge coin appeal.  Coins and tokens are traded between departments and units for many different reasons.  A simple thank you coin to hand out to a soldier or officer would go a long way in making their day.

#4 - Speaking of Soldiers and Officers... If you are an active officer or soldier and your department or unit does not have a custom coin made then you need to get that resolved now.  It's always polite to reciprocate the gesture when you are given a coin.

#3 - It's a fun process.  Not everyone is an artist by trade, but that shouldn't stop you from having us design a custom coin for you.  We enjoy coming up with new ways to manipulate the metal for your custom design. 

#2 - Stimulate the economy! Let's face it, when you order a custom coin from us you're keeping our doors open and the business growing! 

#1 - Something to call your own.  When you create a custom coin it is entirely yours, no one will have a coin like it.  There is a good feeling in knowing you have created something completely unique.

Cody Alicea was just a normal 13 year old boy who was proud of his country and the veterans, including his grandfather, who served for his freedom.  That is why he was proud to display an American flag on his bike as he rode back and forth to school.  A very commendable action for a young man to take, and an example to us all for how to display what we are proud of and what we support. 

Unfortunately the school system of Denair thought it unsafe for the flag to be on Cody's bike, and therefore made him remove it from his bike.  This action not only upset Cody and his family, but the local chapter of American Legion Riders and veterans from all around the nation.  We have had the privilege of creating many custom coins, biker pins, and embroidered patches for the American Legion Riders of the years, so it was great to see our product in the national spotlight in the below news segment.  The American Legion Riders are a fantastic group of men and women and I was not surprised at all at their outreach and support to Cody and his family.  We are proud to support the American Legion Riders and commend the work they do. 

A few days ago I finished up our annual report for Lions Club International regarding all the custom lions club pins that we produced in 2010.  The final results of this report shocked Craig and I to say the least.  We are so busy throughout the year helping each individual Lions Club or District Governor that we do not often get to stop and step back to see the overall picture of our work. 

Now that report is complete I am very thrilled and grateful to tell you that we produced over 140,000 custom made Lions Club pins, Lions Club coins, and Lions Club patches in 2010!  Thank you again for your continued support by allowing us these opportunities for production and proving that we are the number one source for Lions Club pins!

Recently I was contacted by a customer of ours with the Holts Summit Police Department in Missouri.  Carl has ordered several several custom coins and custom badges from us in the past, so when he asked for our help in promoting a contest he was in I was thrilled at the opportunity. 

Carl is working with two programs that are being supported by the Pepsi Refresh campaign, and has the opportunity to win $250,000 in grant money to help get these programs off the ground.  They are great programs aimed at keeping the streets safe through a stellar community outreach program from the Holts Summit Police Officers Association.  The other program is a great idea to keep the youth of Holts Summit active and off the streets by opening a fantastic new recreation center. 

Please check out the ideas here and here and cast your votes now.

Good Luck Carl!  We cannot wait to produce more police challenge coins and embroidered patches for you in the future.

We recently produced a custom challenge coin for a Police Officer Association in Albuquerque that we were honored to have the opportunity to do.  This police challenge coin is an excellent example on how to integrate different production options to create a visually stunning piece.  We combined elements of a die struck challenge coin with the addition of a printed insert to fully detail the elements of the painting.  We were very grateful for the opportunity we received when producing this coin to give back to the police officer community. 

If your department is looking to have a custom challenge coin made, please let us help you today.

Just a friendly reminder to all those Indiana Lions Club members out there that the MD 25 midwinter conference is around the corner on January 8th at Lawrence Central High School.  Don't forget to register so you can come see your fellow lions and show off your custom lions pins.  Make sure to visit the We Belong booth for all the lions club coins, lions club patches, and lions club pins that we've created this past year!  If you are in need of a lions fundraising idea make sure to stop by our booth so we can show you some new lions club emblem products that will help your club meet its 2011 goals.

See you all soon!

I always love when we get the opportunity to deal with a new police or fire department in creating a custom coin, custom pin, or embroidered patch, it's exciting to help people bring their thoughts to form with a tangible token.  However several times in the past few months I have had to field some pretty sobering phone calls from departments wanting to design a custom coin or lapel pin honoring a fallen officer or firefighter.  I take these requests to heart each time knowing that we have the honor of creating a custom pin or challenge coin that will be cherished by these fallen heroes family and friends.  With these requests coming in I wanted to take a minute to stop and say thank you to all the law enforcement, fire fighters, and EMS crews out there keeping the public safe each and every day.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all these families and departments as they have lost their loved ones and friends recently.

Next time you see an officer or firefighter out, shake their hand, buy them lunch, or just say thanks and let them know you appreciate what they do.

With the year coming to an end we have heard lots of talk from our Lions Club customers regarding their end of year festivities.  While it has been great making custom Lions Club pins, custom Lions coins, and Lions Club patches, it has been even better to be part of these projects that will recognize hard work and dedication the recipients have for Lionism.

If you know of a Lions Club International member who has done great things for the club and community then please leave a comment and give proper due to those members.  We would love to see them get the recognition they deserve.