Choate Employees Write Hundreds of Handwritten Letters to Veterans
This July, Choate Construction Company’s Building Up committee launched the company’s first annual veteran appreciation event. Each of Choate’s six offices, including Raleigh, Charlotte and Charleston, hosted a veteran guest speaker during a companywide letter-writing event to hear about their experiences and learn more about the importance of staying connected and showing appreciation for veterans. Choate’s employee-owners together wrote hundreds of letters to give thanks to the men and women who dedicated their lives to serving their country.
Choate Raleigh had the opportunity to hear from Staff Sergeant (retired) Lynn Padgett who served in the United States Air Force as a Munitions Systems Specialist and Explosive Ordinance Disposal. As the honored guest speaker, he spoke to Choate’s employee-owners about his personal experience in the armed forces, including his six tours oversees.
“One of the most powerful takeaways from my time in the military came from watching these young men and women wake up every day prepared to give their time, their talents, their minds, and if necessary, their lives for our country,” says Matt Brewer, President & CEO. “We owe these men and women so much, which is why I’m grateful to see our employee-owners express a desire to give back to the veterans in our community in this meaningful way.”
An early initiative of Choate’s Building Up philanthropic committee was conducting an internal survey to source what philanthropic causes Choate’s employee-owners are passionate about. Once the survey was distributed, veteran support came back as a universal favorite.
“The last two years have been especially hard on everyone, especially some of our senior veterans that have not been able to get out much. It is really special that we have been able to reach out to these veterans and remind them that they are not alone, not forgotten, and deeply appreciated,” says Brewer.
About Choate Construction
Choate Construction Company is one of the largest nationally recognized general contractors in the southeast with offices in Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Nashville, Raleigh, and Savannah. Founded in 1989, 100% employee-owned Choate Construction specializes in both ground-up and interior construction, believing success is driven by its relationships and reputation. Choate has built a resume of projects large and small, across the nation in multiple market sectors. From its innovative OneLife safety program to its efforts to “Build Up” the communities in which it serves, the heart of Choate is its people. Please visit www.choateco.com for more information.
About Operation Gratitude
Operation Gratitude is a nation-wide nonprofit dedicated to providing people across our great country with opportunities for hands-on volunteerism to say ‘thank you’ to our Military, Veterans, and First Responders. While this grassroots movement started in a living room, Operation Gratitude now encompasses Americans all over the country donating items and writing letters to those who serve. To learn more about the organization, visit https://www.operationgratitude.com/.
