A Tradition That Grew From a Simple Yes

Some of the most meaningful traditions don’t begin with grand plans or formal committees. They start quietly, almost unnoticed, with one person asking a simple question.

More than a decade ago at Mercer Transportation, that question arrived as an email. One employee, who had always made personal donations on their own, reached out to coworkers and asked if anyone else might want to give as well. There was no campaign, no expectation. The goal wasn’t to start something big. It was simply to make generosity a little more convenient for others who might already feel the same pull.

That small gesture struck a chord.

A few people joined in. Then a few more. Before long, boxes began to fill, desks became temporary drop-off points, and one vehicle wasn’t quite enough to carry it all. What once ended with a single employee loading donations into their car eventually grew into something that required coordination with Angel Tree organizers for pickup. The quiet email had become a shared effort.

Over the years, this act of giving evolved into an annual tradition at Mercer, one that employees look forward to and take pride in supporting together.

The Louisville Angel Tree program, operated locally through The Salvation Army, serves families in our community by connecting donors with children in need. Each “angel” represents a child with specific gift wishes and essential needs, offering donors a tangible way to make a meaningful difference. Through the program, thousands of children in the Louisville area receive support each year, made possible by individuals and organizations choosing to step in where help is needed most.

At Mercer, participating in Angel Tree is never about recognition. It’s about showing up. Year after year, staff members quietly pass through the office with bags in hand, adding to a collective effort that belongs to everyone. Some give gifts. Others help raise funds. Some do both. Together, they turn intention into action.

Along the way, Mercer found ways to make the experience communal and joyful. Bake sales appeared. A chili cookoff turned friendly competition into something far more meaningful. These moments weren’t just fundraisers; they were reminders that giving can be woven into everyday life, shared over conversations, laughter, and a sense of purpose.

This tradition reflects something deeper about who Mercer is as a company.

Gratitude and giving aren’t seasonal ideas here. They are principles that shape how people work together every day. Gratitude for the opportunities we have. Gratitude for one another. And a belief that giving, whether of time, resources, or effort, strengthens not only the community beyond our walls but the one within them as well.

What began with a single email asking, “Would anyone else like to help?” has become a living example of that philosophy. Not because it was planned that way, but because people said yes. And then kept saying yes, year after year.

At Mercer Transportation, supporting the Angel Tree is more than a tradition. It’s a reflection of who we are when we choose to lead with gratitude and give together.