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News | Dec. 16, 2025

HDIFC staff deliver holiday joy

By Abraham Essenmacher DLA Disposition Services

Defense Logistics Agency staff from Battle Creek’s Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center delivered holiday cheer through the Salvation Army’s Adopt-A-Family program Dec. 12.

Five people a mix of men and women unload packages from a pickup truck onto a flat bed cart. there is snow on the ground.
Staff from Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center gather and organize gift donations for the annual Adopt-A-Family program at the Salvation Army - MI Corps, in Battle Creek, Michigan on December 12, 2025. This was the 39th year that members from HDIFC participated in the program, helping to provide some extra holiday joy for members of the local community who may be in need. (Photo by Abraham Essenmacher)
Five people a mix of men and women unload packages from a pickup truck onto a flat bed cart. there is snow on the ground.
HDIFC staff deliver holiday joy
Staff from Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center gather and organize gift donations for the annual Adopt-A-Family program at the Salvation Army - MI Corps, in Battle Creek, Michigan on December 12, 2025. This was the 39th year that members from HDIFC participated in the program, helping to provide some extra holiday joy for members of the local community who may be in need. (Photo by Abraham Essenmacher)
Photo By: Abraham Essenmacher
VIRIN: 251212-D-AD372-0543
Along with the Angel Tree Program, the Adopt-A-Family program was created to address the needs of low-income families during the holidays and times of need.

A man in a heavy winter coat pushes a flat bed cart with packages on it through a room full of Christmas packages
DLA Logistics Operations Branch Chief Michael Hodgman, uses a cart to bring in Adopt-A-Family program donations and gifts to the Battle Creek Salvation Army Center, which were donated by Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center staff, in Battle Creek, Michigan, December 12, 2025. This is the 39th season HDFIC was able to participate in, and staff were able to help support 48 families and 151 children this year. Additional items donated included grocery items including dried goods and cleaning supplies. (Photo by Abraham Essenmacher)
A man in a heavy winter coat pushes a flat bed cart with packages on it through a room full of Christmas packages
HDIFC staff deliver holiday joy
DLA Logistics Operations Branch Chief Michael Hodgman, uses a cart to bring in Adopt-A-Family program donations and gifts to the Battle Creek Salvation Army Center, which were donated by Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center staff, in Battle Creek, Michigan, December 12, 2025. This is the 39th season HDFIC was able to participate in, and staff were able to help support 48 families and 151 children this year. Additional items donated included grocery items including dried goods and cleaning supplies. (Photo by Abraham Essenmacher)
Photo By: Abraham Essenmacher
VIRIN: 251212-D-AD372-0540
“I’m always impressed with the generosity of the federal center workforce as we continue our support each year to the Salvation Army, which absolutely relies on us to support people in need,” said DLA Disposition Services Director Mike Cannon. “I’m proud to be part of this wonderful team that is always generous and giving on every occasion, but especially this season.”

This is the 39th season HDIFC staff were able to help support 48 families and 151 children. Additional items donated included grocery items, dried goods and cleaning supplies.

“There are so many kids who don’t get Christmas for various reasons, and DLA Disposition Services has been an integral part in providing these gifts and goods,” said Marilyn Delaney, a Battle Creek Salvation Army administrative assistant.

A man wearing a Santa hat removes packages from the back of a SUV outside and there is snow on the ground.
DLA Disposition Services Director Mike Cannon unloads gifts that he will be donating during the Adopt-A-Family program at the Salvation Army - MI Corps, in Battle Creek Michigan, December 12, 2025. Altogether, staff were able to help 48 different families including 151 children this year. Additional items that were donated included grocery items, dried goods and cleaning supplies. (Photo by Abraham Essenmacher)
A man wearing a Santa hat removes packages from the back of a SUV outside and there is snow on the ground.
HDIFC staff deliver holiday joy
DLA Disposition Services Director Mike Cannon unloads gifts that he will be donating during the Adopt-A-Family program at the Salvation Army - MI Corps, in Battle Creek Michigan, December 12, 2025. Altogether, staff were able to help 48 different families including 151 children this year. Additional items that were donated included grocery items, dried goods and cleaning supplies. (Photo by Abraham Essenmacher)
Photo By: Abraham Essenmacher
VIRIN: 251212-D-AD372-0547
The drop-off portion of donations took nearly an hour before all gifts were delivered and served as a sign of how committed they are to this mission.

“HDIFC is a family, and we want to support the community of Battle Creek families when these opportunities arise,” Battle Creek Morale, Welfare, and Recreation Family Programs Manager Carmen Davis said. “Adopt-A-Family has been a HDIFC Holiday tradition for many years and we will continue this tradition as long as we can give back to the community.”

According to the Salvation Army, more than 2.3 million people received holiday assistance nationwide through the organization in 2024, including over one million children. To learn more about Battle Creek Salvation Army’s holiday mission, or to stay up to date with their holiday schedule, visit their Facebook page.

eight people stand in a room with a Christmas tree in the background and donated items around them.
Staff from Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center and staff from the Battle Creek Salvation Army, MI Corps, pose for a group photo during the 39th annual Adopt-A-Family program event in Battle Creek, Michigan, December 12, 2025. Staff from HDIFC were able to deliver donations and toys to 48 different families and 151 children. From left to right are; DLA Director of Logistics Information Services Melissa Pratt, Family Programs Manager Carmen Davis, DLA Disposition Services Director Mike Cannon, Battle Creek Salvation Army Administrative Assistant Marilyn Delaney, Battle Creek Salvation Army Captains Grace and Mika Roinila, DLA Information Operations “Battle Creek Mayor” Carl Damon, and DLA Installation Management Site Director Bill Jerome. (Photo by Abraham Essenmacher)
eight people stand in a room with a Christmas tree in the background and donated items around them.
HDIFC staff deliver holiday joy
Staff from Hart-Dole-Inouye Federal Center and staff from the Battle Creek Salvation Army, MI Corps, pose for a group photo during the 39th annual Adopt-A-Family program event in Battle Creek, Michigan, December 12, 2025. Staff from HDIFC were able to deliver donations and toys to 48 different families and 151 children. From left to right are; DLA Director of Logistics Information Services Melissa Pratt, Family Programs Manager Carmen Davis, DLA Disposition Services Director Mike Cannon, Battle Creek Salvation Army Administrative Assistant Marilyn Delaney, Battle Creek Salvation Army Captains Grace and Mika Roinila, DLA Information Operations “Battle Creek Mayor” Carl Damon, and DLA Installation Management Site Director Bill Jerome. (Photo by Abraham Essenmacher)
Photo By: Abraham Essenmacher
VIRIN: 251212-D-AD372-0549