40 for 40
Celebrating 40 Years in Business and Paying it forward
Legacy in Everyone
As QPS marks 40 years in business, we honor the spirit of community and the legacy of our founders—Scott A. Mayer, Mark Immekus, and Dan McNulty—by entrusting each of our co-owners with $40 to “Pay It Forward.”
This gesture is not about recognition but about giving with humility and sincerity. The goal is to create a ripple effect of kindness, where one thoughtful act inspires another.
Here are the stories about how this money was used to make a difference.
Pay It Forward
Today, one of our AEs bravely reached out in a moment of crisis. She was out of gas, out of diapers, and needed medication for her special needs daughter. She was embarrassed, panicked, and just trying to make it through the week. While we couldn’t give early access to her paycheck, we could show up.
Thanks to the QPS $40 for 40 Pay It Forward initiative, we pooled our funds and were able to give her $120 and a $20 gift card to help her through. No red tape, no judgment — just kindness, compassion, and community in action. We told her: When you’re in a better place, pay it forward. That’s the only ask.
It’s easy to forget how powerful a small gesture can be — but today reminded us. And we’re grateful to work for a company that not only allows this but encourages it.
-Cortni Lawson, Josh Clair, Beth Johns
Today, a candidate called me asking if I can help them out with some of their diabetic medications. Without hesitation, I said yes. He said he needed $60 to cover the cost of the medication. For a second I forgot I have my $40 for 40 in my car/jacket yet, when I remembered I had that I went and grabbed that for him and got the other $20 he needed. He came in and was so thankful and almost in tears that I was able to help him out. All I asked him, was to pay it forward when he gets a chance, he said he will.
-Nikki Fields
I’ve been waiting for the right opportunity to use my $40, it’s just been sitting in my jacket pocket. As I got gas for my car, a lady who was crying, clearly distraught was approaching people to ask for help as her car broke down over an hour away from home.
When she approached me, I told her unfortunately I had no cash, not remembering the envelope I had stashed in my pocket. As she started to walk away, my light bulb went on and I blurted out “stop!” I explained the QPS $40 for 40, and that I hoped it would be a small help in what has clearly been a tough day for her. She was overcome with emotion and thanked me and thanked QPS.
-Brandon Basalone
Meet Jack, he is part of the property maintenance crew for our building. Today, like every day, he was out picking up trash around the building and in the parking lot. A pretty thankless job. This is just one of his many responsibilities and when I saw him out this morning, I thought he would be the perfect person to pay it forward. I think I made his day, if not, it kinda made mine.
-Russ Wallace
For my $40 for 40, I decided to pay it forward to our local Humane Society. Recently they became the only shelter in our area and are continuously working hard to take care of all animals they are able to take in! I decided to split up the money into two gift cards, to treat both the workers with some Starbucks for all they do and also get more supplies for the animals. They were both pleasantly surprised and grateful for this gesture from QPS!
-Emily Krukow
While working from home, I heard a loud noise coming from the back of my house. When I looked out the window, it was the waste collector taking my garbage bin out because I had forgotten to put it by the curb. I kept watching as he went down the street and to my surprise, he was doing the same thing for other houses. Watching him do this made my day. It was very cold outside, so I geared up and walked up to him. I handed him $40 and told him that this money found him. I thanked him for what he was doing and reminded him that there is always someone watching our hard work and good deeds, encouraging him to keep up the good work. He couldn’t believe it and kept saying, “Really?” repeatedly, thanking me with a big smile on his face!
-Carolina Lomeli
This weekend, I used my #40for40 to pay it forward to a brave and caring Walmart associate during my grocery pickup on a brutally cold day. The associate, despite the weather, was kind and considerate, even apologizing for the wait and suggesting I roll up my window to stay warm. When I offered a tip, he initially declined, but I insisted, explaining it was a way to show appreciation for the hard work he does in challenging conditions. His gratitude and plans to use the money to treat his girlfriend and spread kindness warmed my heart. It was a simple gesture, but it felt amazing to make someone smile and inspire them to pay it forward too.
-Cassie Immel
We celebrated my daughter’s 10th birthday last night, and the experience was made even better by two awesome waiters. They were super attentive and friendly, and we ended up chatting with them quite a bit. It was lighthearted and made me realize right then who I wanted to choose for my “Pay It Forward”! It was such a fun experience, and I’m so grateful to work for a company that makes moments like this possible.
-Amanda Roggentien
My dad is currently in the hospital, I’ve observed how he has had a few caretakers that spend extra time to understand his needs and take the time for personal meaningful conversations. He said he wished he could give them something. On my visit this week, I took (4) Starbucks gift cards for him to hand out. It was a win for me to put a smile on his face, and a win for him to express a small token of appreciation. Thank you QPS for allowing each employee to help make the world a better place, one act of kindness at a time.
-Cheryl Datka
I gave my $40 for 40 to a young lady that goes to my church. She attends faithfully every Sunday with her 5 children. She keeps them quiet and it is amazing to see how they look out for each other, the older one (her son) helps her manage the others. I just told her it was a gift from QPS to use however she wanted/needed to. I also told her that I admired her, and the tears started flowing. I think the words might have meant more that the gift but she was very thankful.
-Joyce Reed
My best friend and I recently went to one of the Mexican restaurants in the area and had an amazing waitress serving us. Neither of us had been to this specific restaurant before so naturally we had some questions about the food and drink menus. She was very patient with us and answered each of our questions and even pointed out a few of her favorite items on the menu. Throughout our entire meal she delivered excellent service and was very attentive. She was extremely grateful to be the recipient of the $40 for 40 pay it forward, especially because it had been a very slow night and she was worried about the lack of tips from that night.
-Sarah Brown
On Tuesday, we went out to celebrate my daughter’s 37th birthday with the whole family. During dinner, I struck up a conversation with our waiter. He’s a nursing student who recently moved from Florida. His day starts with unloading trucks, followed by bartending and serving tables, and then heading to school afterward. He and his girlfriend share rides between school and work. While they get meals at work and school, they don’t have much extra. Christian’s dedication and hard work made him my choice to pay it forward.
-Mitch Seitz
My kiddos school has a sort of “slush fund” called Project Starfish that can cover fees relating to extra-curricular activities for students that are unable to pay those fees independently. I shared our $40 with that fund, hoping to cover the cost of a local kiddo doing something fun and positive at some point!
-Nichole Kosnicki
We put our money together to help feed 20 people! The Inner Beauty Center, aside from street outreach for the homeless, also opens their doors every Tuesday & Thursday to help feed and clothe women in the community. This non-profit relies on donations to serve community needs. IBC sends their love and appreciation to QPS Leadership for this wonderful gift!
-Maria Rivera, Sue Becerra, & Liz Cruz
I wanted to express my gratitude to a colleague who has consistently shown dedication, collaboration, and a willingness to help whenever needed. I selected a 2nd Shift Supervisor at Freedom Graphics for this recognition. She consistently goes above and beyond all without being asked. When I informed her that she had been chosen to receive this wonderful gift, she was incredibly appreciative. And when I finally handed it to her and explained the reason behind it, she was overwhelmed with emotion. It was a touching moment, as this was the first time she had ever received such recognition. Thank you, QPS! What a great feeling to make someone feel special!
-Elena Carrier
When I approached this person, I introduced myself and explained that we were from QPS. She mentioned that she would be reaching out to us in search of a job. She expressed her gratitude and seemed truly appreciative.
-Areli Ortega
I was able to pay it forward with the $40 for 40 to an Associate Employee. I was able to meet her at a job fair in Monroe and she made a lasting impression on me. While not having her own car, she was able to make it out to the “remote” area of Monroe. She makes it to work on time each day and recently had a surgery causing her to miss a few days of work. She has made a lasting impression on me and is someone who I feel could really benefit from the $40 and she seems to be a great example of an awesome Associate Employee.
-Tom Seaworth
For my $40 for 40, I chose to pay it forward to one of our Associate Employees. She had to take two weeks off to care for her husband after he underwent serious surgery, with strict recovery restrictions. Understanding how difficult it can be when a loved one is ill and needs support, I decided to order dinner for her and her family. She was incredibly thankful for us thinking of her and her family during this time.
-Ana Serrano
On my way home, I stopped by Save-A-Lot, a store I pass by all the time. Save-A-Lot primarily operates in lower-income areas, often in neighborhoods that are considered “food deserts,” where access to affordable groceries is limited. It has become a vital resource for families seeking budget-friendly food options. Since I live just outside the city, it’s super convenient for me to stop there when I need something at the last minute.
That day, I saw a woman with her kids picking up just enough food to get by for the day. I knew she was the one I wanted to help. I went up to her, explained what I was doing through QPS, and told her about the $40 campaign. She was so thankful and mentioned she actually knew about QPS. It was such a small but meaningful moment that reminded me how even little gestures can really make a difference in someone’s day.
-Joana Robles
A couple weeks ago we lost an associate employee in a tragic car accident. Mohamed was new to the United States and working to save enough money to bring his family over. He had a wonderful friendly spirit that will be sorely missed by the whole community. My $40 for 40 went in the collection at his memorial to help his wife, ailing father and small child.
-Laura Brunner
The Madison team joined together for $40 for 40 and decided to give ours to our neighbors, the owners of Asian House. A few weeks ago, the building that we share was hit by a city bus. Luckily, both QPS and Asian House were closed at the time.
While our type of business allowed us the flexibility to resume operations the next day and to fully reopen the following week, they were not as fortunate. Most of their kitchen equipment was damaged, so they have yet to reopen their doors. By pooling our $40 together (and then some), we were able to gift $250.
-Kelly Koppen
I was honored to contribute the $40 to the Resurrection Food Pantry of Green Bay. The Hunger Task Force affiliated panty has served the Brown County area of over 40 years. In January alone, the pantry served 321 households, which equates to about 900 people. Resurrection Lutheran Church and Ascension Lutheran church in Green Bay teamed up on Sunday for a benefit concert to raise funds for the food pantry. My son, Connor, who is the Director of Music at Ascension, was the featured musician. It was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon and contribute to this great organization.
-JoAnn Klavekoske
We decided to use our $40 for 40 to pay it forward at a local mom-and-pop breakfast diner in Manitowoc—Broken Plate Catering & Diner. In 2023, they started The Giving Wall, where customers can ‘Take a Ticket or Leave a Ticket.’ Greg Czekala the owner shared that The Giving Wall is frequently used, and many who have needed a meal in tough times later return to pay it forward. We were honored to contribute $80 in pre-paid meals to help those in need.
-Jeni Zettel & Chue Lee
I gave the cleaning lady next door at the barbershop the $40. She shared that she used to work for QPS 25 years ago, and now she’s been cleaning for a few years. Our conversation felt so genuine.
-Tonia Rodriguez
I met this gentleman at a donation store as he was looking for a gift for his grandchildren. He was very grateful, gave me a warm hug, and said that the $40 was a blessing this Christmas.
-Paulina Vera Franco
I noticed a woman selecting Christmas gifts for her three small children. As she prepared to pay, it became clear she didn’t have enough, so I handed her my $40 to cover the rest. She was so grateful.
-Katie Real Ruiz
Phoua made a local First Responder’s day by giving Mack, a Security/EMT with Titan Tire, our $40 for 40. Initially confused by the gesture, Mack quickly realized it was a thank-you for his service and invited us to his office to share his story. His office was filled with awards and accolades from over 15 years in the Marines and numerous EMT achievements. The most moving part was his collection of green gaskets from oxygen tanks, each representing a life he saved—44 in total. It was a powerful reminder of his legacy and the impact of a simple act of kindness.
-Travis Hornberg
My $40 for 40 pay-it-forward opportunity reminded me of the importance of leading by example. As a single mom, I’ve always tried to support my kids’ dreams, but my son recently showed me the impact of kindness when he befriended a new kid on his basketball team. My son shared his money, supplies, and encouragement to make sure his friend felt included and supported. Inspired by his selflessness, I put together a care package of hygiene products and favorite snacks for his friend and paid for his portion of the team’s pizza party. This experience was a humbling reminder that even small acts of kindness can make a big difference.
-Kayla Hase
This past Saturday I decided to pay it forward to my son’s basketball coach. He’s been the coach for the boys’ basketball team for a few years now and takes time to coach them as well as attend their Saturday morning games. He sometimes has to bring his daughter so I’m sure that’s not how they want to spend their Saturday mornings but they do. He is also one of my son’s favorite teachers. He was pleasantly surprised by the gesture.
-Nicole Santiago
Late last week I was driving across the state in zero degree weather at 10pm when my flat tire light went on. Apparently I drove through some metal scraps that punctured my tire. Due to the weather, time of night, and still needing to drive a few hundred miles, I had to call for help. The tow truck driver who showed up shared how he is working two jobs to provide for his kids, but the weather and hours were taking a toll on him. It was fitting to give him my $40. The joy on his face made my inconvenience seem insignificant. Plus, he was a life-saver and got me back on the road.
-Chad Schreiber
We pooled our $40 for 40 together and chose The Ronald McDonald House as our recipient. The house is a place where families can stay while a sick child receives care at a partner hospital in the area. The average stay for a family is 9.5 nights, but some families have to stay for 60 days or more. The house has families that travel from all 50 states and even 49 countries to have their loved ones cared for in Milwaukee. We wanted to purchase toys for their game room and give the kiddos there some comfort and brighten up their stay.
-Anne Jabusch, Robbie Hoeft, Kabnoog Xiong, & Sara Spitzer
This morning, an associate employee reached out to me asking if there was any way I or QPS could help him with gas money so he could get to work. I placed him last week but before that he was off for about a month. He has 5 kids ranging from 6 months to 6 years old. He is the family supporter, so I asked him to come in and I chose him for the $40 because he has great communication and he is a hard worker.
-Crystal Pettis
On Valentine’s Day, my family and I were having dinner at a local restaurant, and I saw a former Associate Employee treating his family to dinner. He used to work for QPS a number of years ago but now is building his own business! His business is seasonal so the winter months can get hard, and money can get tight. I decided to pay it forward to him and his family to help pay for their Valentine’s Day dinner. They were all very thankful!
-Heather Wright
I was compelled to give my $40 to Isla. More accurately, I gave the money as part of a donation to the MACC Fund in memory of Isla. “Isla Bear”, as she was nicknamed, passed away at the young age of two due to acute myeloid leukemia, an aggressive form of cancer.
I have followed Isla’s story from afar because I used to work with her dad. And while I never met Isla’s mom, I was in awe of her strength and eloquence this week when I read a post she did on LinkedIn after the Super Bowl. You may have seen the commercial from Pfizer featuring a young boy battling, and implying beating, cancer.
Isla’s mom bravely challenged Pfizer to step up their pediatric cancer drug development. According to Pfizer’s own publicly accessible pipeline, only 3 of 115 drugs in development are tagged as pediatric. I cannot imagine what beautiful little Isla’s parents have gone through over the last few years. I do empathize with their pain and applaud their dedication to childhood cancer research. I am honored to pay it forward in the name of “Isla Bear.”
-Dan Burnett
I’ve decided to donate my $40 for 40 to Grace Hmong Alliance Church in support of their Connection Community program. Led by Mr. Tou Vang and his wife, this program provides food and drinks before church services, creating a welcoming space for fellowship.
Many of the church members are former QPS associates who have worked with us in the past. Mr. Vang has not only built strong connections within the community but has also partnered with Sam’s Club and Costco to secure donations that help support this effort. I believe the church is a great way to give back, and this program positively impacts many families. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to something that brings people together and strengthens the community.
-Kia Lor
I was in line at CVS waiting to pick up my prescriptions when I overheard an older lady upset, telling the pharmacist she doesn’t have enough money but that it was her heart medicine. She started to cry so I pulled her to the side and asked her how much it was. She said $52. I reached in my purse and told the pharmacist I would pay it forward and explained to them both about QPS. She prayed over me and thanked me until I got into my car.
-Nicole Lebesco
I chose to pay it forward to a student/family in need at Luther Elementary in Fort Atkinson. Here is the back story – I moved to the U.S. in 1997 when I was 12 years old and attended middle school at Luther, now the elementary school. Moving from Albania was not easy for myself or my family, (the struggle was real) having to learn a new language, new culture and a new way of living.
I will never forget that a few weeks after I started attending school, the principal along with my homeroom and ESL teachers came to our house with a check over $1,200 that they had raised for my family to help us get started with our new life here.
-Mandela Mecollari
