Blue Dog Printing and Design Honored with Community Partner Award

At a recent luncheon, the Rotary Club of West Chester recognized Blue Dog Printing and Design with its prestigious Community Partner Award. This award is presented quarterly to businesses, non-profit organizations, or individuals that have demonstrated longstanding support for the club’s mission of “Service Above Self.” Previous recipients include The Daily Local News and the West Chester Golf & Country Club, both of which have shown exceptional commitment to the Rotary’s initiatives.

Recognition of Outstanding Contributions

During the event, Rotarian Steve Brown expressed his admiration for the owners of Blue Dog, Bill and Debi Friedmann. “I’ve been a Rotarian for 38 years, and a member of this club for almost 9,” Brown stated. “I can say, without qualification, that Bill and Debi have given more to this club, in time, talent, and treasures, than anyone I’ve ever known in all those years!”

Brown highlighted the significant contributions made by Blue Dog, including the design and development of the Chili Cook-Off website, which facilitated registration and payments. They also produced 2,500 foam peppers for the event and created various promotional materials, such as brochures, posters, and banners, which contributed to the club’s visibility and success.

“The years they gave to the Chili Cook-Off were the crowning glory of these two humble and devoted people!” Brown added, showcasing the red and gold trophy awarded for the club’s first-place win in the non-profit category of the Christmas Parade.

A Lasting Impact on the Community

Following Brown’s remarks, Rotary President Kyle Rheiner invited the Friedmanns to the podium to acknowledge their enduring partnership. “With this sampling of a few of the many ways that Blue Dog has been supportive over a number of years, the Rotary Club of West Chester proudly honors Blue Dog, Bill and Debi Friedmann, and staff, for their outstanding dedication to community service and unwavering commitment to excellence,” he stated. “Blue Dog’s embodiment of Service Above Self has made a lasting impact, strengthening lives and fostering positive change.”

Debi Friedmann then shared the story behind Blue Dog’s inception. The couple met in college and adopted a blue dog named Yuengling, who had previously been abused. “In 2003, Bill suggested we start our own printing company to service clients from my graphic design business, and we turned to Blue Dog for inspiration to name the business,” she explained. “I hate giving Bill the credit, because I’m the creative one, but he was the one to name our company Blue Dog.”

The Friedmanns began their involvement with the Rotary Club in 2004, when a fellow member reached out for printing assistance just before the Chili Cook-Off. “Two years later, Blue Dog participated in the Chili Cook-Off. We enjoyed the day, but had no idea what Rotary was, or even that they put the cook-off together,” Debi recalled. In 2012, Bill joined the Rotary Club and quickly took on leadership responsibilities.

“Being in Rotary is being part of a family,” Debi shared. “When Bill first joined, he told me, ‘This is my church. This is where I go to feel good. When I leave, I feel good.’”

In 2013, the Friedmanns expanded their business by acquiring the client base of a retiring fellow Rotarian. By 2017, Blue Dog was managing all marketing efforts for the Chili Cook-Off, further solidifying their connection to the community.

Bill also participates in charitable activities, including ringing bells for the Salvation Army during the holiday season, a tradition he hopes to pass on to their daughter. “This is the start of my holiday season…this is when Christmas begins for me,” he remarked.

Debi concluded her presentation by emphasizing their motivation for service. “We don’t do what we do for recognition. We do what we do because we firmly believe in the Rotary motto, Service Above Self,” she said. “We run our business as a family, not just because we ARE a family, but we want our employees to feel a part of creating and building Blue Dog with us. And, Rotary is our family.”

The Friedmanns expressed their gratitude for the recognition, stating, “We are humbled by this recognition, and thank you for honoring us.” Their commitment to community service continues to inspire others and exemplifies the values of the Rotary Club of West Chester.