For the City Times

PITTSVILLE – To show their appreciation for those who serve our country, the employees at one central Wisconsin business decided to collect items to make care packages to send to troops stationed overseas. Hay Creek Companies in Pittsville operates with a people-centered focus, and one of the company initiatives is a caring team that supports fellow employees and also sponsors activities that benefit others in the community.

Led by the “caring team,” employees choose a community project each quarter that allows them to give back. The idea to support troops with care packages evolved from the input of some of the Hay Creek Companies employees who have served overseas. One team member has a nephew who is deploying to Afghanistan with the Red Arrow 128th National Guard Battalion out of Abbotsford, so the team decided they wanted to send packages to this battalion.

The team consulted some of the company’s employees who are veterans to get ideas on what meant the most to them when they were stationed overseas.

“We wanted the care packages to contain items that the servicemen and women would appreciate most,” said Hay Creek caring team leader, Sandy Chasteen. “One of our employees still has a manila envelope with the cards he received from grade school kids when he was deployed.

“We take for granted the comforts of home and don’t realize that something as simple as flip-flops or shower shoes are something that the soldiers greatly appreciate, as their showers may be a mobile shower with wooden slats or a shower trailer. Talking to our veterans has enlightened us about the sacrifices that our troops make for our freedom.”

The caring team reached out to the elementary school and church groups to invite kids to create cards to include in the care packages. They also sent out letters to area churches, the American Legion, and other groups to invite them to participate in the drive.

Kevin Krohn, a veteran who is employed as the dispatcher at Hay Creek Companies said, “Having been on the other side, it feels like Christmas every time you or your unit receives a care package. It helps reinforce that you are not fighting in a lost cause. People do care about you.”

After launching the campaign on its social media channels and posting a list of items, donations started to come in at the Hay Creek office. Then, Engineered Specialties (RapidAir), in Auburndale, offered to partner with Hay Creek to be another drop-off location for items.

On Nov.13, at 9 a.m., the caring team at Hay Creek Companies will join with members of the community to pack the boxes for soldiers at the Hay Creek corporate office.

Hay Creek Companies is full-service pallet manufacturing operation.