If you’ve seen bright blue shirts out and about, it was probably the dedicated members of Team Servco lending a helping hand in the community this holiday season. In November, Palama Settlement hosted their annual Thanksgiving Dinner for the Keiki. Team Servco helped with arts & crafts activities, including a paper bag turkey that allowed the children to reflect and write something they’re thankful for on each feather. After the activities, Team Servco also served a traditional turkey dinner to over 100 children.

In December, a sea of Team Servco members gathered at the Neil S. Blaisdell Center to participate in Family Programs Hawaii’s Holiday Party for Foster Keiki. Over 2,000 foster children and their families attend the event each year to celebrate the season with siblings, who are often separated through the foster system. This special day is their chance to reunite together and enjoy entertainment, activities, food, and even a personalized gift from Santa. Over 70 Team Servco members, plus their friends and family, lined up to plate thousands of Hawaiian dinners for everyone who attended the event.

A week later, Palama Settlement provided us another opportunity to give back, but this time to the elderly community residing in Mayor Wright Housing. In partnership with Kahala Nui Senior Living—who provided hundreds of gift bags stuffed with toiletries, canned foods, and a fleece blanket — Palama organized a delivery day for Team Servco to walk door-to-door and drop off the items to senior residents. Hugs and smiles were shared all around, as it was clear how appreciative the residents were to receive their special gift.

All events were organized by nonprofits like Palama Settlement and Family Programs Hawaii, that are right in our own backyard. Team Serve (the company’s community service committee who coordinated the volunteers) hopes to continue these relationships in the community and provide more volunteer opportunities for Team Servco members in the future.