How We Show Gratitude & Appreciation

These are big words: gratitude, appreciation, community. And their meanings are even more significant!

Every year around this time, Coller Industries receives a special package. Inside this package are not only handwritten thank you Valentines, but also lots and lots of love. We receive these cards every year due to our annual donations to the Granite Education Foundation. And every year, our hearts are filled with gratitude and appreciation for those in our community.

Enclosed in the package is also a letter from the board of Granite Education Foundation:

Hey, Valentine!

Exchanging heartfelt messages on Valentine’s Day is a well-loved tradition. While the earliest Valentines were little more than hastily scribbled notes, today we can choose from thousands of varieties, each designed for a specific relationship in our lives. A hundred years ago, only sweethearts exchanged Valentine’s Day cards, but the practice has spread to encompass friends, family, colleagues and supporters.

This year, Granite Education Foundation and students from throughout Granite School District want to express our heartfelt thanks for your continued generosity and support. Enclosed you will find hand-made Valentine’s Day cards that our students created with YOU in mind.

Each board member signs this letter as a token of their gratitude and appreciation for all our donation does for teachers, students and the school district.

Granite Education Foundation (GEF)

Federal and state funds do not meet the immense needs of our students, teachers and schools. The Granite Education Foundation provides access to resources that improve educational outcomes.

We provide educational opportunities for students of Granite School District.

We educate students, teachers and members of our community on ways to impact our community. Together, we CAN make a difference! We gather and give resources the GRANITE way. We impact children and teachers in public education. We advocate, inform and promote learning for students and their families.

The lessons we learn from helping in our community teaches us how to be grateful for what we have. And when we realize what we have, we give even more back to those around us.

Coller Industries is known for their impact in the community through product donations. But the annual contribution to GEF is the one donation that we deem the most poignant. We are giving to the schools, the children, and most importantly, we are providing for our future.

These actions we make each year fill our hearts with gratitude and appreciation for those around us. Those who strive every day to make a difference in the world. So, yes, we receive thank you cards, but we feel that we are the ones who should be the most grateful. And that, in essence, is why we give donations.

Community, Education and Our Future

Sometimes it isn’t about the name tags. Sometimes, it’s just about helping our community.

Every year, as part of our way of celebrating the holidays, Coller Industries looks at how we can give back to our community. In the past we have given to different organizations and foundations, such as the Alaska Whale Foundation, to aid in their efforts. But, every year we always give to the Granite Education Foundation. This tradition of giving has been going on for nearly ten years.

To date, we have given over $57,000 to this fantastic foundation.

Coller Industries received a thank you letter from the Granite Education Foundation. The letter is from Brent Severe, CEO of the Granite Education Foundation. It reads as follows:

“Thank you for investing in futures through your generous donation to the Granite Education Foundation for programs in Granite School District. Because of you, more students can pursue an education in an environment that cultivates excellence. Your generosity creates possibilities, and your kindness nurtures engaged learning which will enrich education opportunities for our youth.”

While it isn’t about the money, it is about helping. We value education here at Coller Industries. And we want to make sure that everyone gets the education they need; this includes family, friends and neighbors alike.

The letter also states, “The Granite Education Foundation has been established to supplement the excellent programs in Granite District’s schools, to help provide the highest classroom opportunities for each child, and for teacher excellence awards. Know that you are helping dreams come true.”

The Coller family and their employees take pride in knowing we have reached out to our surrounding community. We will continue to do so in the hopes that we are helping our friends and neighbors. And we are also aiding in the education and celebration of our children.

As Gary Coller, President of Coller Industries, says, “(Donations make) us more responsible in the community. And hopefully, our customers appreciate when they see that we give back.”

From product donations to monetary help, the time we spend investing in education, our children and our community means a great deal to us.

3 Top Lessons Learned from Donating

There are many lessons to be learned from providing donations to our clients.

For almost eight years, Clyde and Gary Coller, the CEO and President of Coller Industries Incorporated have generously donated to Granite Education Foundation. The Collers give time and money to those in need, and each year they strive to give back to our local community.

We started donating to Granite Education Foundation in 2009 and to date we have given over $37,000. As employees here at Coller Industries, it is a delight knowing that our employer is so generous and giving to our community. And, each of these individual donations makes its mark on both the givers and the receivers. And each teaches valuable lessons.

Lesson No. 1:

“(Donations make) us more responsible in the community,” said Gary Coller. “Hopefully our customers appreciate when they see that we give back to our community.”

Well said, Gary! These donations not only make us more responsible, but they also make us more aware of the needs of our neighbors and communities. From needing name tags in school and other places of business to needing a helping hand to members of our community, one will always find Coller Industries in the act of giving.

Lesson No. 2:

We received the following letter and valentines from Granite Education Foundation:

Hey, Valentine!
Exchanging heartfelt messages on Valentine’s Day is a well-loved tradition. While the earliest Valentines were little more than hastily scribbled notes, today we can choose from thousands of varieties, each designed for a specific relationship in our lives. A hundred years ago, only sweethearts exchanged Valentine’s Day cards, but the practice has spread to encompass friends, family, colleagues and supporters.
This year, Granite Education Foundation and students from throughout Granite School District want to express our heart-felt thanks for your continued generosity and support. Enclosed you will find hand-made Valentine’s Day cards that our students created with YOU in mind. Additionally, please find enclosed a small edible token as an expression of Granite Education Foundation’s appreciation for your continued support and boundless goodwill.
In our opinion, YOU’RE AWESOME SAUCE, Valentine! Thanks for believing in our mission and for the extra boost you give kids and educators. We couldn’t accomplish what we do without YOU.
Thank you with all our heart!
Brent Severe, Chief Executive Officer
JeAnna Ellis, Office Coordinator / Donor Relations
Audrey Price, Finance / Operations
Erin Woodlief, Giving / Events Coordinator

Donating means that not only have we impacted the lives of Coller Industries employees, but also the lives of the children and teachers in our neighborhoods. So, no matter what we do, we are always aware that people are watching and wondering what we do. It’s never about the name tag, it’s always about the person!

And, last but not least, Lesson No. 3:

By believing in the mission of other organizations and helping them in their directives, we end up helping ourselves. Now, while this may sound a bit selfish, here are the reasons that isn’t the case.

By helping Granite Education Foundation with their needs, we benefit the lives of countless children. Which, in turn, helps their families. And that’s only the beginning of the chain! By paying our efforts forward, we are in fact returning to our community. And just look at the wonderful thank you’s we have received thus far!

We’ve learned from these lessons and we just want to say thank you right back! So, not only to Granite Education Foundation but to all those who receive our donations, THANK YOU FOR BEING YOU! We cherish all of our customers and their communities!

Customer Donations: Dorset Equine Rescue

From amazing customer service to providing donations, Coller Industries is all about helping others.

When one thinks of personalized identification, name tags come to mind almost immediately. However, personalized ribbons are a large part of identification needs as well. Coller Industries prides ourselves on our service, professionalism and production in these fantastic products. Our main focus is always helping our customers. As part of this, we often provide donations to those in need.

Once again, we were able to donate to a wonderful cause.

The Dorset Equine Rescue is a non-profit organization located in East Dorset, Vermont. The organization rescues horses and aids in the healing process which restores their health and wellness until they can be adopted.

Kayla Chilcote is hosting an event for the organization. “The mission and goals (for the event) are to raise money for the Equine Rescue so they can continue to give proper care and help pay for the costs they have to pay (for each of the horses they rehabilitate).”

The Dorset Equine Rescue strives to educate the community about all matters of horse care, health, and advocacy to continuously improve the long-honored and time-tested human-equine partnership.

The event that Chilcote is hosting in September will be to benefit the Gymkhana event. It is an event consisting of speed pattern racing and timed games for riders on horses. Often, these events emphasize children participation.

Coller Industries was able to help with the award ribbons for the event.

Stock Victory Torch Ribbons
These award ribbons can be used for any competition or event. They have an attached event card on the back and a string through the top that can be used to display the ribbon. Available in first through tenth place and other titles. Each ribbon has a pinked bottom edge in order to reduce fraying.

“(I’m very grateful that your) company helped us out so we can give the ones who compete the ribbons they deserve since they have donated to the rescue,” said Chilcote.

We are grateful for organizations such as the Dorset Equine Rescue. We sincerely hope that all of our donations are something that helps our customers in their efforts in their communities.

Donations: Granite Education Foundation

Making students a priority; from our community to you, donations create unity.

Helping out our local community is a large part of what defines the generosity of Coller Industries Incorporated. We like to highlight each company that we donate to throughout the year. Each of these donations are typically personal identification related, such as name tags or award ribbons. This donation, however, is of a different nature.

Gary Coller, President of Coller Industries, said, “It makes us more responsible in the community. Hopefully our customers appreciate when they see that we give (donations) to our (neighbors).”

Coller Industries also donated metal name tags for the committee members to wear during the event. These laser engraved name tags were easy to use with the magnetic fasteners.

The Granite Education Foundation, Making A Difference
Whether it’s in your own school community or a neighboring Granite District School, we believe there is nothing more important than improving a student’s life. We strive to lift lives and assist in providing resources to bolster education by uniting individuals, organizations and the business community with the will, passion, expertise and resources needed to solve problems. We are dedicated to giving Granite District students a hand up. That’s a difference you can count on.

So, what is the Excel Award?
The Granite Education Foundation recognizes and honors superior educators, true classroom heroes, the men and women responsible for molding and preparing our children to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. These individuals have a track record of improving student achievement, using innovative instructional strategies and making a difference in the lives of students. These educators are among a select few highlighted annually as Excel Outstanding Educators who are making a difference in Granite School District classrooms.

Although thousands of nominations were submitted for the Excel Award, only 11 recipients were chosen by the Excel Committee and being recognized for their service in education.

Tanja Roller – First Grade, Oakwood Elementary
Danny Stirland – Principal, Granite Park Jr. High
Erin Madrigal – Sixth Grade, Rolling Meadows Elementary
Jessica Sellers – Fifth Grade, Westbrook Elementary
Jody Lynn Tolley – American Sign Language, Skyline High School
Stacie Shields – Reading Specialist, Truman Elementary
Todd Summerhays – Mathematics, Olympus High School
Garett York – Sixth Grade, Cottonwood Elementary
Lisa Foster – Resource, Wasatch Jr. High
Monica Marsing – Sixth Grade, Armstrong Academy
Michele Stillman Gaetz – Second Grade, Whittier Elementary

On April 22, Coller Industries was invited by Granite Education Foundation to attend this year’s Excel Evening of Honors. This evening is a special celebration of the Excel Award Winners. This year 11 individuals were honored for their outstanding achievements as professional educators.

As Coller Industries makes generous donations each year to the foundation, we were able to attend this gala not only as distinguished guests but also as an award presenter. We were able acknowledge Lisa Foster!

“Lisa Foster, a resource teacher at Wasatch Junior High School, knows that children are not numbers or data points, but intricate human beings who deserve to be treated as such. Lisa makes her classroom a safe place for children where they are comfortable and feel they can take educational risks. She knows her students, their families, their friends and what they go through outside of school and in the hallways.”

“Mrs. Foster has helped me through a lot and is patient, funny and always willing to help.” -Student

“This is my third year presenting one of the awards. It’s such an honor to be able to recognize one of Utah’s great educators,” said Gary Coller.

Teachers were requested to join a presenter on stage to receive their award, a $1,000 check and other generous gifts. Each Excel Award recipient received a sculpture, designed by local Utah sculptor Matt Glenn. This sculpture comes in two parts. The bottom portion has the four Granite Education Foundation hand icons from their logo. Each hand symbolized educate, give, volunteer and advocate. The top portion is a student’s hand reaching for a teacher’s hand. This piece can be removed and turned over so that the teacher’s hand is extending up toward the student’s hand.

Coller Industries Incorporated started giving donations to the Granite Education Foundation in 2009 and to day has donated over $37,000. We are happy to continue our annual support of this wonderful foundation. And as employees here at Coller Industries, it is a pleasure knowing that our employer is this generous with their time and money.