Volunteers unload food donations for the Three Rivers quarry food drive in Smithland, Ky.

This holiday season, Lafarge North America operations across the United States organized charitable projects to give back to the communities that they call home. From Colorado to Iowa to Illinois, Lafarge operations were busy spreading holiday cheer by donating toys and food and visiting the elderly.

“Throughout the year, Lafarge values giving back to the communities where we live and work,” says Lafarge US CEO John Stull. “It’s especially important for us to recognize how much we have during this time of year and take the time to give back.”

Several operations in the Midwest shared the holiday spirit by donating toys for young children. In Davenport, Iowa, the local plant donates toys to children in need through the Christmas Angels program each year, which is run by the Humility of Mary Shelter, Inc. Lafarge’s Joliet, Ill. quarry, Cleveland Slag location, and Great Lakes Market Area office, collected toys for the Toys for Tots Foundation.

Food is also a major part of holiday celebrations and, just like other times in the year, there are many families who go without. The Three Rivers quarry in Smithland, Ky. held a food drive from Nov. 19 through Dec. 1 and collected 1,640 pounds of non-perishable goods. The food will be donated to the Livingston County Helping Hands Organization and distributed to those in need.

Since 2000, the Lafarge West Slope Ready Mix and Aggregates team has brought holiday cheer to the residents of the Cross Roads Assisted Living Center in Rifle, Colo. Each year, it sponsors a Christmas lights and decorating event around Thanksgiving. The volunteers wear Santa hats as they install decorations and provide BBQ lunches to the residents.

Throughout the year,Lafarge prides itself on giving back to local communities through initiatives organized by local operations. This model allows the company to address the specific needs of individual communities and initiate projects that will yield tangible, lasting results.