AAA Northeast Sends Greetings to Care Communities

Hallmark has nothing on AAA Northeast.

Employees recently collected more than 2,500 personalized greeting cards to give to people living in community care facilities.

Many of the donations were hand crafted. And six of the designs were truly one-of-a-kind. Dan Arcoleo, member relations counselor in Garden City, N.Y., donated six of his original paintings.

Employees, their families and friends, as well as members contributed to the community cause.

The Somerset, Mass., branch set up a table for three days, inviting members to write messages in the premade cards. The feedback was tremendous, according to Rebekah August, assistant branch manager. The team is thinking about carrying over the Valentine’s Day-themed activity to other holidays and creating thank-you cards for veterans.

The support from across the community was heart-warming,

“The outpouring of support was truly touching,” said Karen Diehl, senior employee experience specialist for Human Resources. “Employees and their families really took care in crafting heartfelt messages to people who have been isolated and lonely, unable to connect with family or friends, throughout the pandemic.”

Diehl had a lot of help from people across the club who rallied around the effort, collected the cards and arranged for deliveries. For instance, Gerri DiSalvo, public affairs specialist in Garden City, got a local Girl Scout troop involved.

More Community Efforts

The card collection was just one of the charity activities taking place at AAA Northeast this year. In February, AAA Northeast delivered hundreds of care packages to health care workers in appreciation for their continued efforts during the pandemic.

And AAA Northeast branches will be collecting canned goods and other nonperishable foods March 20-April 3. All donations will benefit local organizations.

For more information on this initiative and others taking place in your community, visit AAA.com/AAACares.