The holidays are the season of giving. A season surrounded by wonder and whimsy where it’s okay to believe in a little magic and embrace your inner child. For those who are lucky to spend it with family, we exchange gifts, tell stories and watch our favorite holiday movies, all while we are warm and cozy surrounded by the ones we love.
For active military members and their families, the holidays are often bittersweet. While we enjoy the comforts of home, they are stationed on ships and military bases across the country and around the world as they help keep us safe. The holidays can sometimes magnify the distance between them and their families and serve as a reminder of who won’t be able to make it home this year.
In the true spirit of the holidays, Colonial continued our annual tradition by holding our Holiday for the Troops donation drive. We know that our humble gesture can’t bring them home for the holidays, but it’s our hope that they know we are thinking about them and that they can enjoy some of the comforts of home while they are away.
As they always do, Colonial employees showed up in a big way this year. This year’s donation drive saw a multitude of items donated, including numerous heartfelt holiday cards and well-wishes, a smorgasbord of snacks and treats, dozens of games, toiletries and much more.
“It’s really great to see the outpouring of kindness, love and support our employees have for the soldiers who are unable to spend the holidays with their families,” said Graham Ashley, PR & Content Manager and one of the donation drive organizers. “It really makes a difference for their families knowing that their loved ones are going to receive a care package around the holidays.”
Three Colonial employees nominated their family members to receive care packages this year.
Daniel Barrier, Executive Sales Consultant – CU Members California, nominated his nephew Nathan, who serves with the U.S. Marine Corps in Japan. Patience Castillo, Construction Operations, nominated her son Daniel, who serves with the U.S. Army in South Korea and Marcela Williamson, Loan Officer – Spring nominated her son Tucker, who serves with the U.S. Army in Virginia.
They were extremely grateful for the support of their peers and Colonial.
“I would like to thank everyone for their support,” said Williamson. “I am so very grateful for their thoughtfulness; it is super amazing! None of the other companies I’ve worked for have ever done something like this. I literally cried when I received the email of what was donated. I have always been a very strong supporter of our military, but my son joining the Army has changed me tremendously.”
The donations were divided evenly into three separate boxes along with a letter from Colonial and an assortment of Colonial swag courtesy of Colonial’s Corporate Marketing Department.
Thank you to all of the Colonial employees who donated items in support of this year’s Holiday for the Troops donation drive. Your generosity never ceases to impress. We would also like to say think you to Colonial’s Diversity and Inclusion Steering Committee for sponsoring the drive and a special thank you to our main organizers, Graham Ashley, Samantha Koppang and Marlon Walker for all of their hard work.
