Industry Forum
In addition to community giving during the holiday season, the SFMTA participates in the City’s annual “Shop SF, Get More” campaign led by the Convention and Visitors Bureau. This campaign invites our neighbors from throughout the Bay Area to take advantage of San Francisco’s vibrant and varied shopping as well as other services for celebrating the holidays, such as hotel stays. During the Shop SF campaign, the SFMTA offers two promotions: Sunday FunDay and Shop with More, Park for Less. Sunday FunDay offers all-day transfers on Sundays to Muni customers who pay an initial fare; Shop with More, Park for Less offers deeply discounted parking throughout the week at city-owned parking garages for customers who carpool. The carpool discount includes great downtown locations, notably the garage in the middle of Union Square. This year the SFMTA’s “Shop SF, Get More” promotions will begin in early December.
Riverside, Calif.
Complete Coach Works
Having our roots as a small family operated start-up over 25 years ago means that the Holiday Season is a very family oriented and special time of year for Complete Coach Works, and even though the little family business now includes over 200 employees, Dale Carson, founder and President of Complete Coach Works and his family still make sure each and every one of the extended family of 200 plus feel special during the Holidays. From personally handing out over 200 turkeys and shaking everyone's hand with a heartfelt "Thanks" at Thanksgiving, to hosting a Christmas Luncheon for everyone including, husbands, wives, mothers, fathers, daughters and sons and yes grandkids, Dale and his family want to make sure the Holidays are special for everyone. Every year the luncheon is made extra special for the children with a special visit from Santa, and on their way home after the party everyone gets a personalized gift package, a ham for their Holiday meals and another hand shake and a warm "THANKS for your hard work" from Dale.
And to make sure the Holiday spirit of giving and sharing are spread throughout the community there are always extra hams and turkeys for the local kitchens serving Holiday meals to those less fortunate.
The Holidays are indeed a special time at Complete Coach Works
Thousand Palms, Calif.
SunLine Transit Agency
The holiday season – a time to celebrate successes, spend quality time with family and friends and to reach out to those in the community who are in need.
As a public transit agency, it is SunLine Transit Agency’s mission to provide the community with safe, reliable transportation. When there is an opportunity to go beyond that responsibility to serve the community in other capacities, we jump on it. Four years ago, SunLine initiated its annual holiday “Fill-the-Bus” food drive benefiting charity organizations with non-perishable food and other essential items for families in need. With the effects of the economy hitting many families of the Coachella Valley hard, the food drive has become crucial to charity organizations that have struggled with acquiring donations and have experienced an increase in demand for service. Last year in the eye of the storm, we found that the spirit of giving and compassion is alive and well. With buses stationed at grocery stores throughout the Valley, SunLine staff encourages people to donate what they can. Each year the generosity demonstrated by the community far exceeds expectations. Children standing in line to board the bus to share their donation with those less fortunate; those who appear to be in need themselves, giving that one can of food to those who have less. The pride in “giving” is felt by all who contribute, as well as SunLine employees and the volunteers from recipient organizations.
At SunLine, each employee is viewed as part of a team, an “investor” to the success of the Agency. As the end of the year approaches and in the spirit of “Thanksgiving” and reflection, SunLine hosts employee events throughout the holiday season. The Maintenance Dept. holds a yearly Thanksgiving potluck and dessert contest. The employees bring in family favorite holiday dishes; and the dessert contest is fierce! The bottom line – all employees take time out of their busy to share a festive meal and give thanks for their many blessings!
In addition, the Agency hosts a holiday gala to show its appreciation for the contribution of each employee to the Agency and to residents and visitors of the Coachella Valley. The event is a time for all employees, as well as SunLine Board members, to enjoy great food, celebrate the Agency’s accomplishments and to kick off their shoes and dance the night away!
The SunLine family looks to the new year with continued hope to accomplish its goals, which includes providing service in many forms to the Coachella Valley.
