Orange Day: Giving Back to Those Serving Overseas

My sales region, the Desert Mountain Region, recently went on the most uplifting and motivating volunteer event--what we at GSK call "Orange Day."  The Desert Mountain region consists of more than 150 employees across Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming.  Here in the west and southwest part of the US, there is a heavy presence of military bases and veterans, and we wanted to be able to show our appreciation for what those serving in the military do each and every day to preserve freedom in the US and around the world.

We worked with an organization called Blue Star Mothers.  Their members are mothers whose sons or daughters have served or are currently serving overseas in the military.  One of the more visible actions this organization conducts is helping to provide "Care Packages" for military personnel.  These care packages are filled with many small conveniences, such as socks, lip balm, magazines, soap, deodorant, movies, tooth brushes and tooth paste, and small stuffed animals that soldiers give to children in Iraq and Afghanistan.  

Each district worked as a team to pack these care packages and through a series of teambuilding activities, the region completed 27 care packages to be shipped to both Iraq and Afghanistan. 

In addition to a representative from Blue Star Mothers, there was also a representative from the local army base in Denver who graciously accepted the packages on behalf of the Army and addressed the group, explaining what gifts like these mean to soldiers overseas in active combat.

Our region devoted a few hours at our regional meeting to give back to those who serve our country to let them know that they are much appreciated for the hard work that they do each and every day around the world.  Each package also contained several letters of gratitude and thanks written by our representatives.

The event was one of the more motivating group activities conducted in our region.  We all felt a tremendous sense of pride and accomplishment upon completing these care packages and can't wait to  do it again soon.