May 15, 2009 -- On Thursday, May 15, 2009, Asher & Company, Ltd., along with four other businesses located at Ten Penn Center, held a “Visit Our Office Day” for the entire fifth grade class of Henry A.  Brown Elementary School .

Asher & Company, Ltd. adopted H.A. Brown Elementary School in conjunction with Greater Philadelphia Cares in 2002.  “Visit Our Office Day” was developed with the goals of exposing the students to how different businesses operate and the variety of professions available for them to pursue.  Because much of the student body at H.A. Brown Elementary come from less fortunate families, many only have an opportunity to view office buildings from the outside and have no concept of what goes on inside. 

Asher & Company, Ltd. organized the first “Visit Our Office Day” in 2005 when located at 1845 Walnut Street and continued organizing this event until their move to Ten Penn Center in 2007.  This year was the first year the program was held at Ten Penn Center.

This year, 60 students participated in this program.  The children were separated into teams and were escorted by a teacher or administrator and a company representative for 30 minute visits.  Participating companies used creativity and hands-on activities to engage the children in the information unique to their businesses and professions. 

Asher Director Bill Burns states, “As with the past years, we continued to receive a lot of positive feedback from team leaders and teachers regarding this program. This year’s participating companies went above and beyond to put educational and memorable programs together for the students.  The positive reaction of the teachers and students makes it all worthwhile.”

H.A. Brown Elementary School Guidance Counselor Robert Cohen states, “Our children come from very poor households. Their opportunities for experiences out of the Kensington neighborhood are very limited. I want to believe that today's experiences will spark some students to finish their education and have a career goal.”

The following companies participated in this year’s “Visit Our Office Day”:  Asher & Company, Ltd., AAA Mid-Atlantic, PNC Bank, Pikkles Plus, and Ten Penn Center. Each participating organization generously donated items for the student gift bags.

		Asher's Team of Group Guides - from left to right, Cyntia Fortune, Anna Nop, Melvin Pitts, Casey Sensi, and Eric Sorkin.
		H.A. Brown Students arrive in the Ten Penn Center lobby.
		The Bells first visit was to Pikkles Plus to learn about the restaurant business.
		A member of Asher's IT group, Brent Plummer, talks to a group of students about what is involved with the department.
		The Briefcases listen representatives of PNC Bank after a tour of inside the bank.
		The Files pose for a group picture after their visit to AAA Mid-Atlantic.
		A representative from Ten Penn Center shows the Stamps how building security badges are produced.
		A member of Asher's Tax Department, Wendy Riso, presents a tax accounting lesson to a group of students.
		Students enjoy a pizza lunch in Asher's training room.
		Students board the bus that will take them back to school.