The Giving Program
We want to hear your thoughts on how to help the world thrive
How the Giving Program Works
Your Ideas
Tell us how Wilbur-Ellis can continue growing, innovating, giving and evolving
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For each response, Wilbur-Ellis will make a donation to the Red Cross
Giving More
Help grow our contribution by answering new questions every month
December and January Question
As a global company, Wilbur-Ellis has a diverse group of employees who span the world. In fact, diversity and inclusion is one of the core values that has made the company what it is today. Everywhere we operate, our employees work hard – but we also enjoy our holidays!
December is a big month for holidays. There’s Christmas, Hanukkah and (as the calendar turns) New Year’s Day. That’s followed by Lunar New Year, Easter, Ramadan and other holidays throughout the year. We also celebrate special days just for fun – like Valentine’s Day … Halloween … Super Bowl Sunday … the World Cup … and so on.
Whatever the occasion, we all have our own way of celebrating. With that in mind, the December Giving Program question for adults is:
“What are your favorite holidays (or special occasions) and how do you celebrate them?”
Bonus points for telling us about (and especially sharing photos of) special celebrations you’ve enjoyed in the past.
Submission Deadline: January 31, 2021
Submit your response
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Remember to send us a photo or video to accompany your submission.
Instruction video
Visit the Giving Program Overview page to watch a video that walks you through the submission process.
December and January Submission Highlights
Michelle Her, United States (Agribusiness)
Ever since I was a child, every year in December my parents took me to celebrate a festival called Hmong New Year. The Hmong New Year Festival in Fresno was the biggest celebration in North America which brought people from all over the country and overseas. I loved going to Hmong New Year because there was a variety of delicious homemade food to eat and I get to wear as well as see others wear their own designs of beautiful textile Hmong clothes embellished with shiny jewelry. Although there is no Hmong New Year due to COVID, my little family still dressed up to take some photos. This is us in modern Hmong Stripe clothing.
Kathryn Nix, United States (Nutrition)
Christmas is my family’s and my favorite holiday. Each year we do many traditional things such as bake Christmas cookies, watch our favorite Christmas movies, and go to the Nutcracker ballet. One of our most favorite traditions though is going to the Zoo Lights at the Portland Zoo. We go at least once a year. Walking through the zoo at night with it all lit up is magical. We even took the zoo train to look at the lights while it was snowing one year.
Although this year is a bit different due to COVID-19, the zoo is offering a drive-thru experience and we are very excited to go! This year is extra special as our 11-month-old, who loves the Christmas lights, will be joining us!
Tze Ying Goh, Singapore (Connell)
Christmas is one of my favorite holidays in the year. Typically, we will go on a holiday trip overseas with either family or friends in December during the Christmas season. We love a White Christmas. The picture shared is one of my best holidays spent with friends. We love the snowcapped pine trees and enjoy making snow angels.
Jose Castro, United States (Nutrition)
My family and I usually visit an orphanage on Christmas and give the kids a meal and gifts.
Last year, we had Santa hand out the gifts and give the kids an extra joy for the holiday season.
Venkatesh Murthy, India (Connell)
Special occasions in my life are stated below.
1. March 11: My eldest son’s birthday, who gave me a ray of hope in life
2. March 30: My 2nd son’s birthday, who gave me a road to happiness in life
3. May 12: My marriage anniversary, it made me accept the real challenges in life
4. Oct 10: My wife’s birthday (nowadays I call her my eldest daughter as she has become like a child like my 2 sons – simply joking).
5. March 16: My mom’s birthday
I don’t always celebrate my birthday on the 30th of July because I like being the family head and want to keep my family happy and I wish to not to spend for myself until my sons achieve their goals.
I take them to a new place every year on their birthdays, we cook food they like, and celebrate with a cake cutting at 7pm followed by a dinner in a hotel.
We like being in an economy family and to celebrate in a small and happy mode.
Holly Hambruch, United States (Agribusiness)
My favorite holiday has always been Christmas, it was magical as a child and I hope that I made it magical for my children when they were young. One thing I have always done during the Christmas season is to bake a ton of cookies and treats to pass out to friends and neighbors. This is something my mom did and I have carried on. I am sure that at least one of my children will continue this tradition.
Since our kids are grown and just don’t need much, we decided to adopt a local family in need this year. It was fun shopping for clothes and toys for the two young girls and groceries for their family. The best part was delivering it all to the mom and seeing the look of disbelief on her face and tears of gratitude in her eyes. Hoping to expand on this next Christmas and maybe pick two families.
Helping the Red Cross in the U.S., Canada and Globally
United States: Through our 100th Anniversary Giving Program, Wilbur-Ellis is supporting the American Red Cross in the United States.
Globally: To assist those in Asia-Pacific, Giving Program donations will benefit the International Services division of the American Red Cross, which helps victims of countless crises around the world through immediate and long-term support, including supplies, technical assistance and other assistance.
Canada: Our Giving Program also will assist the Canadian Red Cross with the work they do throughout that country.