These are big words: gratitude, appreciation, community. And their meanings are even more significant!

Every year around this time, Coller Industries receives a special package. Inside this package are not only handwritten thank you Valentines, but also lots and lots of love. We receive these cards every year due to our annual donations to the Granite Education Foundation. And every year, our hearts are filled with gratitude and appreciation for those in our community.

Enclosed in the package is also a letter from the board of Granite Education Foundation:

Hey, Valentine!

Exchanging heartfelt messages on Valentine’s Day is a well-loved tradition. While the earliest Valentines were little more than hastily scribbled notes, today we can choose from thousands of varieties, each designed for a specific relationship in our lives. A hundred years ago, only sweethearts exchanged Valentine’s Day cards, but the practice has spread to encompass friends, family, colleagues and supporters.

This year, Granite Education Foundation and students from throughout Granite School District want to express our heartfelt thanks for your continued generosity and support. Enclosed you will find hand-made Valentine’s Day cards that our students created with YOU in mind.

Each board member signs this letter as a token of their gratitude and appreciation for all our donation does for teachers, students and the school district.

Granite Education Foundation (GEF)

Federal and state funds do not meet the immense needs of our students, teachers and schools. The Granite Education Foundation provides access to resources that improve educational outcomes.

We provide educational opportunities for students of Granite School District.

We educate students, teachers and members of our community on ways to impact our community. Together, we CAN make a difference! We gather and give resources the GRANITE way. We impact children and teachers in public education. We advocate, inform and promote learning for students and their families.

The lessons we learn from helping in our community teaches us how to be grateful for what we have. And when we realize what we have, we give even more back to those around us.

Coller Industries is known for their impact in the community through product donations. But the annual contribution to GEF is the one donation that we deem the most poignant. We are giving to the schools, the children, and most importantly, we are providing for our future.

These actions we make each year fill our hearts with gratitude and appreciation for those around us. Those who strive every day to make a difference in the world. So, yes, we receive thank you cards, but we feel that we are the ones who should be the most grateful. And that, in essence, is why we give donations.