“9/11 was truly a tragic day for our country the world will never forget,” said Thomas Van Valkenburgh, IMCD US President. “As a company, we wanted to be in unison in reflecting on the tragedy and the heroes of the day by redefining its impact through doing good for the men and women who dedicate their lives to serve our communities every day.”

 

IMCD US employees packed Care Kits and filled them with snacks, gift cards and other items as a gesture to show appreciation to community servers. The collective effort of the employees resulted in the assembly of more than 700 IMCD US Care Kits delivered to first responders across the United States including four cities where the specialty chemicals and ingredients distribution company’s offices are located.

“Our first responders and military give so much to our communities – they run towards the commotion and danger to help those in need, and we are so grateful for all that they do,” said Mary Ellen Johnson, Technical Account Manager, IMCD US Pharmaceuticals. “This initiative makes us think about what our heroes do for us every day.

 

 

Many employees also included their families in preparing the Care Kits at home. Some children designed cards and joined in packing the Care Kits.

“It is good to show our children the importance of saying ‘thank you’ to those who help us,” added Mary Ellen.

 

Dropping off the Care Kits to local fire houses and police stations was also a family affair as some children accompanied their parents – it was well received by the local heroes who expressed appreciation for the gesture.

“It is refreshing to see this side of our job,” said Sergeant Oscar Rodriguez, La Mirada Service Area Sergeant, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. “Thank you for doing this.” 

The IMCD US 9/11 Care Kit initiative provided a program that connected our employees to complete charitable acts together as a team, but also sparked inspiration for many employees to continue doing good deeds for others.

“We have been honored to have firefighters and police officers as family members so this initiative hits close to home,” said Jessica Molinar, IMCD US Warehouse Administrative Manager, whose nieces and nephew participated in the initiative. “I hope they will learn to lead by example in expressing gratitude for all first responders and continually do good even when no one is watching.”


No gesture is too small in helping turn tragedy into a day that inspires acts of kindness to remind people of our individual and collective potential to do good for others. 

“I was only a child when 9/11 happened, but even then, I remember the confusion and fears everyone felt and saw on the news,” said Megan Elder, IMCD US Customer Service. “I am so thankful to our first responders for their daily sacrifices and the small acts of kindness we do for others help us to give back. It is easy to quickly recall that day and just move along, but it is important to slow down, remember 9/11 and honor the lives we lost by giving a little of our time to serve others.”