Melaleuca Celebrates the Holidays by Filling Pantries and Donating Toys
12/22/2013
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho, Dec. 20, 2013 -- Melaleuca and hundreds of its employees have been quietly spreading holiday cheer around Southeast Idaho, making the season a little brighter for children and families in need. Because of Melaleuca's charitable efforts, dozens of local families will have stocked pantries this winter and hundreds of children will have new presents under their Christmas trees.
After purchasing 12,500 pounds of food to help families in need, Melaleuca identified and assisted several families from Ashton to Pocatello who are suffering extreme hardship. Each family received a three-month supply of non-perishable food, 40 pounds of meat, along with new clothing and toys for the children. Melaleuca also donated more than 1,000 cans of food to help the Idaho Falls Soup Kitchen.
Melaleuca employees also helped Santa by generously purchasing new toys for 300 children who they adopted through The Salvation Army's Angel Giving Tree program. They donated new toys, books, video games, sporting equipment, gift certificates, art supplies, coats, snow boots, and other clothing for children ranging from infants to teenagers. Over the past six weeks, many employees in the Idaho Falls and Rexburg customer call centers opted to trade all or a portion of their incentive checks for presents going toward children who otherwise might not have had anything to open this Christmas.
Melaleuca has participated in The Salvation Army's Angel Giving Tree program for 12 years now. Salvation Army volunteers will wrap and distribute the gifts in the coming days.
"With the need greater than ever, we appreciate Melaleuca's significant charitable contributions and its steady commitment to improving the Idaho Falls community," the Salvation Army's Major James Halverson said. "We appreciate Melaleuca's mission of enhancing lives, which shows in its desire to help disadvantaged children smile a little brighter and receive a Christmas gift this year."