BATTLE CREEK, Mich. –
Agency employees at Battle Creek’s Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center have played a role in Santa’s workshop and partnered with the Salvation Army to bring Christmas to families in the local community.
Many offices and work groups at the federal center volunteer together to sponsor a family and provide the donations. Through Adopt-A-Family, 50 families were provided gifts and groceries for the holidays this year. The community program supports families who are in need and pairs them with sponsors who will gift items like new clothing, toys, household supplies, and food.
“Our employees look forward to doing this every year,” said DLA Disposition Services Director Mike Cannon. “There is a great need in the community, and we are proud to be a part of helping families during the holidays.”
DLA employee teams shop, wrap, and gather gifts for the family they sponsor and then deliver the donations to the Salvation Army on the morning of distribution. Families submitted wish lists for current needs and desired gifts. In addition to the presents, a food basket was provided for each family and, as an added bonus, many groups add household goods such as paper towels, toilet paper, and cleaning supplies. Most groups also deliver their donations in totes and laundry baskets to help make distribution easier.
Salvation Army Co-Captains Grace and Mika Roinila were onsite to greet volunteers and express their appreciation during the drop off.
“When the federal center adopts families, it is a huge blessing,” said Mika Roinila. “We have seen an upward trend of greater needs this year and bigger families. Confirming that these 50 families are adopted allows us to use our limited resources to help more families.”
Agency leaders also stopped by the Salvation Army Chapel to assist staff and volunteers. Cannon, DLA Director of Logistics Information Services Melissa Pratt, DLA Installation Management Battle Creek Director Bill Jerome, and DLA Information Operations Division Chief Carl Damon witnessed the outpouring of support and assisted with unloading vehicles and carts of donated gifts. The group were taken on a tour of the Salvation Army gymnasium, which was transformed into a holiday toy store for parents to choose gifts for their children.
“We are expecting to provide gifts for over 400 children this year,” said Grace Roinila. “Toys and donations are still being accepted. If individuals are unable to adopt an entire family, they can still contribute a gift through the Angel Tree or donate to a Red Kettle. Red Kettle funds from the bellringing helps us operate all year long.”
After items were dropped off by sponsors, the DLA volunteer team prepared for family pick up by staging and organizing gifts in the chapel. Holiday music played softly in the background as families arrived to receive their gifts and groceries. Volunteers greeted families and loaded their items on carts, and then helped load their vehicles. Many families appeared overcome with appreciation. Volunteers received words of gratitude and witnessed a few tears through smiles. The federal center’s participation was coordinated by Emily Steger, the marketing manager for DOD’s local Morale, Welfare and Recreation office.
“This was my first year coordinating it, and I really didn’t know what to expect,” said Steiger. “I am amazed at the generosity that you don't get to see every day. Doing something like this is really special,” remarked Steger.