The holiday spirit is all about the joy that comes from giving. Over this holiday season, gifts of time and talent have brought many JDI employees together to make a difference to those in need.  Small and large, we salute their many acts of kindness and the amazing everyday work of the organizations and volunteers who make life is our communities better.

In a record year, JDI's employees as well as many PALS Community Partners donated over 100 hampers for families in need.  In addition, 171 turkeys were donated to several Saint John community groups for holiday meals. Nearly all J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) businesses collected donations from employees to support PALS' Holiday Hampers program. PALS (Partners Assisting Local Schools) was conceived in 2000 to help students living in poverty realize their full potential.

"It's so wonderful being part of the PALS family that is so warmhearted and generous this time of year. JDI is a wonderful partner that I know is proud to join with so many other PALS and community partners to assist the families of the students they work with throughout the year," said Debbie Fisher, PALS Coordinator. "At PALS we appreciate the support and are incredibly optimistic looking forward to 2019."

New Brunswick Southern Railways partnered with The Children's Wish Foundation to present 'The Polar Express: Believe in Wishes,' family train rides filled with holiday magic. This is an annual event, filled with hot chocolate, games, a visit from Santa and much more. Most importantly, a special child is granted a wish each year.  We couldn’t have done it without the amazing student elves from Harbourview High! Watch the heartwarming video here:

RST & Sunbury Transport's #12DaysofCheer supported a different cause each day. From food drives supporting Saint John's Romero House Soup Kitchen, to a 50/50 draw supporting an employee who'd recently lost his home to fire, the company found joy in helping others. To see the full list of events and activities, see RST Sunbury on Facebook.

Harbour Development and Kent Line came together to provide donations to The Mission to Seafarers. This organization provides help and support to seafarers of all ranks, nationalities and beliefs - providing a safe drop-in space for crews in port during ship visits. The holidays can be a difficult time for seafarers away from their families, so the Mission often goes to extra lengths to make them feel welcome. 

JDI's Woodlands Division does incredible work every year, bringing Christmas trees to several groups and community organizations like the Crescent Valley Community Center tree in Saint John and tree lighting celebrations in the Village of Kedgwick in northern NB. In addition, the division provided a $500 donation to the Chipman Community Care Telethon and $200 worth of toys to the Christmas Index in Nova Scotia. Woodlands employees from the Sussex NB region volunteered at the Sussex Sharing Club, and the team in northern Maine donated to Toys for Tots. 

The company's Sawmill Division donated $300 to Centre d'Apprentissage du Haut-Madawaska, which will go towards learning activities for students. They also gave $200 to the Baker Brook Fire Brigade for the annual Christmas Parade event with kids. 

JDI's Pulp and Paper Division collected donations for the SPCA this year, raising $420 in gift cards; $280 in cash donations; 320 cans of dog and cat food; 29 bags of dry cat food; 15 bags of dry dog food; and, 24 leashes. In Saint John, Irving Pulp and Paper took part in some holiday window painting in partnership with Seaside Elementary School and sponsored the Wolastoq Park Tree Lighting and Salvation Army Dinner. Irving Tissue also partnered with Seaside, contributing to a Family Fun Night. Irving Paper partnered with Glen Falls Elementary School to sponsor three families, collect cash and toys for children in need, and to serve at the school's annual turkey dinner.

JDI's Construction and Equipment Division sponsored 9 holiday families this year. In addition, they raised $1,630 in support of First Steps Housing/Business Community Anti-Poverty Initiative (BCAPI).  This initiative allowed the team to buy necessary items for 12 families such as clothes, toys and books.  Kent Homes collected sweaters and warm weather clothing, including snowsuits, jackets, gloves and hats during November and December for those in need.

JDI's IT Division sponsored 2 local families in need in the Moncton area, providing them with much needed groceries, fuel, and tissue products. They also held a food drive for the Fredericton SPCA and Food Bank. The IT team in Halifax donated 20 gifts to The Giving Tree, which provides gifts to residents in need at the Northwood Continuing Care Facility.

The Team at the Halifax Shipyard held a Winter Clothing Drive to collect women's winter coats and boots for Adsum House for Women and Children. Irving Shipbuilding's Human Resources and Supply Chain teams filled 'wish boxes' for Shelter Nova Scotia. Wish boxes allow Shelter Nova Scotia to share gifts and meals to their clients during the holiday season.  They also hosted a Feed Nova Scotia food drive at Irving Shipbuilding's Bayer's Lake office.

For the first time, employees in Dieppe, New Brunswick participated in The Shoebox Project. This initiative consisted of filling shoeboxes with items of a cumulative value of $50 for women in need in the Greater Moncton area. These shoeboxes serve as a powerful reminder for local women that, despite their circumstances, they have not been forgotten and remain valued and respected members of our community. 40 of the 98 gift-filled shoeboxes were delivered to the YW Jean E.S. Irving Centre for Women and Children (YWCA Moncton) and the remaining shoeboxes will be donated in Greater Moncton.

Employees in Dieppe, New Brunswick raised over $3,300 for their local United Way through a Festive Sweater Casual Day and Holiday 50/50. 

The Midland Courier team in Montréal helped collect toys for the annual Tea Toy Run. The toys will be distributed to children living in shelters and community centres across Quebec.

This year Cavendish Agri Services decorated their new JD spreader unit and took part in two Christmas parades in New Midas and Berwick, Nova Scotia. 

Kent stores in the Greater Saint John area held a fundraising campaign at their cash registers, raising $749.60 for the Empty Stocking Fund. The Kent team in the Halifax area participated in the Metro Area Toy Drive, collecting toys at 3 of their locations in the city. They collected 12 pallets of toys stacked 5 feet high to be donated to various shelters and charities in the area.

Our Holiday Miracles: The People Who Go Above & Beyond

In an organization like JDI, it's not hard to find people who go above and beyond during the holiday season, outside of work initiatives. Universal Truck and Trailer Sales Manager, Greg Marr and wife, Ronda, prove that even the smallest gestures can make a significant impact. Each year, they prepare bags of essentials and small gifts. They keep them in their vehicles, and give out as they come across people and families in need. It's time for friends and families to get together - and our work family is no exception! For the very first time, we invited leaders from across our businesses to come together and share a holiday message with the communities where they live and work. 

"From my family - and the JDI family - to yours, we wish you all a safe and happy holiday season!" 

Jim Irving