Starting back in the early days of the company's history, Simonds has held the welfare of its employees in high regard. From sports teams to company picnics to the Ashburnham Recreation Area, Simonds has tried to provide more for its people than the average company. And September could be considered "Employee Awareness" month at Simonds, as it was during the month of September that two different organizations were founded for the benefit and betterment of Simonds employees.
In September of 1887, the Simonds Aid & Benefit Association was founded as an insurance plan to aid employees in times of sickness or accident. The Association remained active until well into the 1900's. By its 50th anniversary, it had paid out more than $150,000 in benefits to Simonds employees. A similar organization was started shortly after 1900 for employees of the Chicago plant and steel mill.
The Daniel Simonds Recreation Club for male employees was established in September, 1906, and sported a new club room that the company had provided on the top floor of the recently built North Street factory. The club room offered employees a place to go for cards, games and other activities, and included pool and billiards tables. It was also a place where workers could go to get a warm meal, since it often was not practical to go home for lunch. The Chicago plant offered club rooms and a dining room, as well.
Separate, more expansive quarters in the North Street factory were dedicated in January of 1907, and the Recreation Club remained in this location until October of 1939, when it moved to the hall at 28 Grove Street as the North Street factory was closed and moved to the current Intervale Road site. The much larger facility was needed, too, as the typical club meeting drew over 300 people!
Although in more recent years the Club has shrunk in size and no longer has its own facilities, it is still active, with a host of activities scheduled over the course of a year, over 100 years after its founding.