AASI owners Jim and Rachel Palmer, along with their team, have made a significant investment in the local community by donating over $20,000 to the Marshalltown Little League Park along with donating their employees’ time and mentorship. This contribution includes new dugout benches, score tables, and bleachers and underscores Mr. & Mrs. Palmer’s commitment to supporting youth sports and fostering community engagement.
The partnership between AASI and the Marshalltown Little League / Baseball Club began when Zach Wahl, a board member of the Marshalltown Little League, made a cold call-in person to Mr. Palmer’s office expressing the urgent need for new bleachers at the park. From their very first conversation, it was clear that Palmer was not just a businessman, but a person deeply invested in the well-being of the youth and community. He quickly validated the need and conducted his due diligence to understand how best to support the improvements.
Mr. Palmer was taken aback to learn the condition of the park, dilapidated backstops, holes in dugout roofs, broken dugout benches, 1970’s damaged bleachers, unsafe baseball field conditions, bathrooms out of horror movie, broken fence lines, exposed wiring, batting cages collapsing, along with many other safety concerns. However, it was the sight of the kids actively participating in the renovation efforts — digging trenches and tearing off dugout roofs — that truly struck a chord with Mr. Palmer. Moved by their dedication, he offered a discounted price on new bleachers manufactured by AASI, which supplies high-quality seating for venues across the country, including custom dugout benches for the Boston Red Sox, Kansas State stadium and the local project at Franklin Field.
The collaboration took an exciting turn when Wahl returned to Palmer, informing him that they were close to raising the necessary funds for the bleachers. In a remarkable gesture, Mr. Palmer decided to donate the last two bleachers with the stipulation that the kids themselves would build all of them. This hands-on experience not only provided the youth with valuable skills but also deepened their connection to the community.
Seeing the incredible movement happening within the organization and the enthusiasm of the kids involved, Palmer took his commitment a step further. In addition to the bleachers, he upgraded the existing rotten / broken wooden dugout benches to state-of-the-art two-tier aluminum dugout benches, donating all 12 dugout benches and six new score tables for the park.
This investment is not merely a financial contribution; it represents a belief in the potential of the youth and the power of community engagement. Jim Palmer’s actions serve as a reminder that local businesses play a vital role in shaping the future of their communities.
“We believe in giving back and supporting the next generation,” Palmer said. “These kids are putting in hard work, and it’s important that we recognize and encourage their efforts. We hope this donation helps them feel valued and motivated to continue their dedication to the sport.”
Palmer is passionate about youth sports, noting that they play a vital role in keeping kids engaged and out of trouble while teaching them valuable life skills for later in life.
“I’m impressed with Zach Wahl; he has been revitalizing the Marshalltown Little League / Baseball Club in the Linn Creek District. He has been working to make it a great complex in Iowa that combines an old school atmosphere with new technologies. I commend him for this. American Aluminum Seating, Inc is excited to be part of this project,” he said.
“It takes people like Mr. Palmer who understand the importance of investing in the youth. His experiences as a child, shaped by coaches who pushed him to be a better athlete and person, instilled a sense of accountability, the value of mentoring that has guided him into adulthood after his youth sporting career. Now, more than ever parents need to get kids involved in youth activities and embrace the roles of coaches, allowing them to mentor and support our youth, helping to shape their futures,” Wahl said.
American Aluminum Seating, Inc was established in 1988 by the late Bob Palmer. In 2018, Jim Palmer took over the operations. AASI has invested many years in our community. AASI employs 14 people.. For more information about American Aluminum Seating, Inc go to www.bleacherseating.com or email sales@bleacherseating.com.