In early December, the Torrance Refinery transformed one of our offices into “Santa’s Workshop.” While the COVID-19 pandemic may have cancelled many community activities, Refinery employees wanted to rescue celebrating the holidays.
Santa’s helpers could be found throughout the plant as employees schemed, determined to spread holiday cheer to four local families in the Salvation Army Torrance Corps’ Adopt-a-Family Program [hyperlink to site], which provides services to families in the local area who are most in need. These families are matched with local companies, such as Torrance Refining Company, whose employees give back to help others in their community; including employees like Sal Rojas, who said:
“Learning about these families who are struggling truly made me feel grateful for what I have, and it inspired me to give. So many people have been affected by COVID-19 and the state’s Safer-at-Home orders. I want to do what I can to help these families, especially the kids, enjoy a nice holiday,” said Sal.
While shopping for their own loved ones, employees picked up extra gifts to help fulfill the families’ wish lists. Santa’s Workshop quickly filled up with Transformers and Batman toys, housewares, and everyday essentials like shoes, work clothing and seasonal wear like warm jackets. Employees also gave each family a grocery gift card for their holiday meal.
Community Relations Manager Barbara Graham is proud of Refinery employees’ efforts to give back during what has been a turbulent year due to the pandemic. “Although this has been a tremendously difficult year, our employees were excited to support an organization like the Salvation Army Torrance Corps, which does so much good for our Torrance community. Many of our employees feel blessed to be in a position to help others; that’s what they do. Being able to give a gift or two to help someone less fortunate not only helps that person, it is a selfless gift our employees give themselves. I’m very proud of our workforce.”
Salvation Army’s Adopt-a-Family program is an annual initiative that helps fulfill its mission to meet identify and meet areas of need in the communities it serves. To learn more about the organization, visit http://www.torrancecorps.org/.
