The season for giving for BlueTriton Brands employees

BlueTriton Brands employees participated in The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program helping to provide clothing and Christmas gifts to roughly 250 families during the 2023 holiday season.

“BlueTriton has been an incredible partner this holiday season,” said Major Myron Smith, of The Salvation Army.  “The holiday distribution could not have supported as many children and families without their willingness to supply for so many Angel Tree tags. Thank you for stepping up during a particularly challenging season!” 

In November, Angel Tree tags were placed on BlueTriton’s Christmas tree on the lower level of its Stamford, Connecticut headquarters.

Employees chose a tag which included a child’s toy/wish items. The unwrapped gifts were placed under the tree and then delivered to The Salvation Army in Stamford to distribute to families before Christmas. 

In total this season, The Salvation Army in Stamford provided gifts to more than 800 children.

In December, Domenico Dipreta (L) and Laura Krueger (R) with BlueTriton Brands dropped off toys and gifts employees purchased to The Salvation Army in Stamford, Connecticut.

BlueTriton more than doubled the number of families they supported in 2023. In 2022, they supported 97 families.

“Being new to the company, I was impressed by the company value of ‘fiercely good’. This is a great example of the people of BlueTriton generously living our values and showing our commitment to the community,” said Joey Bergstein, CEO of BlueTriton Brands. “The program benefits so many families and I’m thrilled that our employees doubled down on our collective participation this year.”

After Christmas, The Salvation Army received emails from grateful parents. One parent saying, “Theo was overjoyed because of the gifts he received. He told me it was his best Christmas ever! I know I couldn’t have given him all these gifts. By providing for him, you’ve given me my greatest wish as well.”  

Pictured left to right: Alex Stout, Joey Hundt, Shannon Burrows, James Garchow, Jake Mulder, Jessica VanVlerah and Stephanie DeBoe

Ice Mountain® Brand employees in Mecosta made the holidays a little brighter for some Michigan families. The Ice Mountain Brand adopted four local families with a total of 11 children, ranging from infant to 15-years-old.

It's the simple things we can do to make a difference for someone else," said BlueTriton Brands employee Alex Stout. "People are in need and we have the ability to help. A dose of care, concern, and generosity goes a long way in letting others know we're here for them." 

"I’m quite confident in saying that our team gets just as much, or more, out of this gift giving to nearby families at this holiday," said BlueTriton Brands employee Shannon Burrows. "Nothing makes you feel the true spirit of the season more than doing something special, something unexpected, to the delight and joy of someone else."

The younger children received new winter gear like hats, gloves, coats, and snow boots. All the children received new clothing, as well as some toys and games, like baby dolls, stuffed animals, Lego sets and remote-control cars. Each child received approximately 10 gifts.

"It's fun, pure and simple," said BlueTriton Brands employee Jake Mulder. "Working together, our team enjoys the time with one another to help someone else. In the end, it's the time together with colleagues, friends, family, and others that make the season special.”

Just before Christmas, the Ice Mountain® Brand leadership team in Mecosta held an ugly sweater contest, a cookie decorating contest and cooked up a pancake breakfast for employees.

Pancakes, eggs, bacon, and sausage were served. With a lot of breakfast items left over, employees donated 20 dozen eggs, 15 pounds of bacon, 45 pounds of sausage, two giant bags of pancake mix, and five large bottles of maple syrup to Our Brothers Keeper Shelter in Big Rapids, Michigan.  

"The donation from BlueTriton greatly contributed to our needs,” said Rachel Wilkinson, Case Manager and Site Coordinator of Our Brothers Keeper. “Our guests greatly depend on donations we receive, and it all goes a long way. We are forever thankful for all the helping hands that keep our shelter up and running!"