Giving is more than just taking something (money or product) and donating it to someone in need. It is also about adding to our community and raising our standards. More importantly, it’s about educating ourselves about what is needed in our community. And, while we are receiving this education, we are also providing it to others.
Here at Coller Industries Incorporated, our primary focus is meeting our customers’ needs and providing a better future for our community. As such, we have a constant desire to give back to those in need. And what better way than investing in the education of our children?
The Granite Education Foundation
The mission of Granite Education Foundation is to improve educational outcomes by strengthening the Granite School District Community. This is accomplished through the engagement of business and community partners in the support of Granite School District and the academic achievement of all its students.
Who we are. Granite Education Foundation is a coalition of engaged business and community leaders with a passion and understanding of the importance of an education.
What we do. Granite Education Foundation seeks to improve the academic success and well being of each student with a particular emphasis on supporting students at risk of not graduating.
How we do it. In collaboration with Granite School District, concerned individuals, and community partners, Granite Education Foundation provides basic needs, programs and educational enhancement services that have been shown to improve the chances of student academic success and well being.
In 2009, we started giving to The Granite Education Foundation.
We are happy that we have been able to continue in this giving tradition, so last year we donated again. The knowledge that this money goes to help the children in our community is what keeps us giving. It isn’t about the money; it’s about the future of our kids and where they will lead us because they were able to obtain a good education.
We believe in giving toward the education of our children and our future. And because of that, we have enjoyed receiving something back for the past 11 years. Each year, as a thank you for our time and money, Granite Education Foundation has some of their school children write and send a personal thank you. We are always thrilled when our special letter arrives.
This year, the note that came with our Valentine’s card read:
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Granite Education Foundation and students from across the district wanted to express a heart-felt thanks for all you do. Enclosed you will find hand-made Valentine’s Day cards our students created with YOU in mind. Thank you for being a part of our success. We look forward to working more with you.
Yours truly,
The Granite Education Foundation Team
The Valentine’s Day card that came with this letter was handwritten with a simple message of, “Thank you for donating to GEF.” These two letters were included in a gray, felt heart shaped envelope. And we love it!
Gary Coller, President of Coller Industries, said, “We donate because it’s the right thing to do. We do it for the children in our neighborhood.”
While it is the right thing to do, we see the benefits it has on our community.
The monetary donation goes toward a scholarship fund for students in the Granite School District. And, with more than 50% of Granite School District’s 67,000 students living at or below the poverty line, we need to be doing what we can to support our community.
This donation also goes toward coats, gloves and shoes for these school kids. Backpacks are also filled with school supplies at the beginning of the school year and given to the kids who need them the most. We are proud to help support these efforts of giving.
And, we want to say thank you to the GEF for all of the outstanding work they do for our education system here in Salt Lake City, Utah. Our children benefit every day from their kindness and dedication toward learning.
Way to go Gary!