Education and a Lesson in Giving

Giving is more than just taking something (money or product) and donating it to someone in need. It is also about adding to our community and raising our standards. More importantly, it’s about educating ourselves about what is needed in our community. And, while we are receiving this education, we are also providing it to others.

Here at Coller Industries Incorporated, our primary focus is meeting our customers’ needs and providing a better future for our community. As such, we have a constant desire to give back to those in need. And what better way than investing in the education of our children?

The Granite Education Foundation

The Granite Education Foundation

The mission of Granite Education Foundation is to improve educational outcomes by strengthening the Granite School District Community. This is accomplished through the engagement of business and community partners in the support of Granite School District and the academic achievement of all its students.

Who we are. Granite Education Foundation is a coalition of engaged business and community leaders with a passion and understanding of the importance of an education.

What we do. Granite Education Foundation seeks to improve the academic success and well being of each student with a particular emphasis on supporting students at risk of not graduating.

How we do it. In collaboration with Granite School District, concerned individuals, and community partners, Granite Education Foundation provides basic needs, programs and educational enhancement services that have been shown to improve the chances of student academic success and well being.

In 2009, we started giving to The Granite Education Foundation.

We are happy that we have been able to continue in this giving tradition, so last year we donated again. The knowledge that this money goes to help the children in our community is what keeps us giving. It isn’t about the money; it’s about the future of our kids and where they will lead us because they were able to obtain a good education.

We believe in giving toward the education of our children and our future. And because of that, we have enjoyed receiving something back for the past 11 years. Each year, as a thank you for our time and money, Granite Education Foundation has some of their school children write and send a personal thank you. We are always thrilled when our special letter arrives.

This year, the note that came with our Valentine’s card read:

Valentine's Day card from the Granite Education Foundation and a school child

Happy Valentine’s Day!
Granite Education Foundation and students from across the district wanted to express a heart-felt thanks for all you do. Enclosed you will find hand-made Valentine’s Day cards our students created with YOU in mind. Thank you for being a part of our success. We look forward to working more with you.
Yours truly,
The Granite Education Foundation Team

The Valentine’s Day card that came with this letter was handwritten with a simple message of, “Thank you for donating to GEF.” These two letters were included in a gray, felt heart shaped envelope. And we love it!

Gary Coller, President of Coller Industries, said, “We donate because it’s the right thing to do. We do it for the children in our neighborhood.”

While it is the right thing to do, we see the benefits it has on our community.

The monetary donation goes toward a scholarship fund for students in the Granite School District. And, with more than 50% of Granite School District’s 67,000 students living at or below the poverty line, we need to be doing what we can to support our community.

This donation also goes toward coats, gloves and shoes for these school kids. Backpacks are also filled with school supplies at the beginning of the school year and given to the kids who need them the most. We are proud to help support these efforts of giving.

And, we want to say thank you to the GEF for all of the outstanding work they do for our education system here in Salt Lake City, Utah. Our children benefit every day from their kindness and dedication toward learning.

Education Continues To Celebrate Excellence

Due to Coller Industries Incorporated’s continual support and donations, we were able to be a part of the “Excel Evening of Honors” on April 13th. Granite Education Foundation presents awards each year to exceptional teachers and administrators working in their district.

It all starts with the smallest of donations: TIME.

Since Granite Education Foundation’s inception in 1988, educator recognition and support has been a key priority. The Excel Awards are a prestigious honor given to the top 10 educators of Granite School District and has been sponsored by Granite Education Foundation since the beginning. Students, administrators, parents and colleagues nominate educators that exemplify the values of Granite School District.

coller industries enjoys giving back to our community through donations to granite education foundation

“Watching the videos of each teacher and their stories and how they make a difference in the kid’s lives was the best part of the evening,” Hannah, Customer Service Manager and Coller Industries Incorporated, said.

Being a professional educator isn’t an easy job. Sometimes it can even be a thankless job. But, thanks to these amazing teachers and administrators, public education continues to excel.

Each year, GEF supporters gather to recognize outstanding teachers, administrators and community members whose personal commitment and contribution impacts 68,000 students in the Granite School District. The Excel Award is bestowed upon nine teachers and one administrator that have been nominated by school administrators, colleagues or students.

Here are the 2018 Excel Award winners.
Congratulations to these incredible educators!

the 2018 granite education foundation excel award winners(Top to bottom; left to right.)

Leah Tarrant – Taylorsville High School
Lori Lindford – Bennion Elementary
Jill Thackeray – Skyline High School
Jodi Larson – Upland Terrace School
Stephanie Varoz – Crestview Elementary
Amy Winder – Elk Run Elementary
Katie Pearce – Rolling Meadows Elementary
Brandon Kerby – Cyprus High School
Janice Wayman – Hartvigsen School
Archer Birrell – Hillside Elementary

These individuals are then put through a rigorous review and observation process by experienced education specialists who ultimately identify 10 teachers and administrators from all over the district. In mid April, up to 300 individuals from Granite School District, supporting businesses, community members, and local leaders gather to recognize and honor these 10 winners in the Night of Honors a dinner and award ceremony.

As Coller Industries makes generous donations each year to the foundation, we were able to attend this gala not only as distinguished guests but also as an award presenter. After explaining Coller Industries to the attendees, Hannah proudly presented Archer Birrell, a 3rd-grade teacher at Hillside Elementary, with his Excel Award.

While our role is small in comparison to each of these educators, we are beyond happy that we get to take part in this fantastic award opportunity. In a nutshell, “We donate money for clothes and shoes for the kids in the Granite School District. Then we get to honor these great teachers for their excellent work by presenting the award on behalf of Coller Industries and the Granite Education Foundation,” Hannah said.

customer donations coller industries and granite education foundation excel awards galaThe Granite Education Foundation Excel Award

Each Excel Award recipient received a sculpture, designed by local Utah sculptor Matt Glenn. This sculpture comes in two parts. The bottom portion has the four Granite Education Foundation hand icons from their logo. Each hand symbolized educate, give, volunteer and advocate. The top portion is a student’s hand reaching for a teacher’s hand. This piece is also reversible so that the teacher’s hand is extending up toward the student’s hand.

“Educational awards, such as the GEF Excel Award, are awesome because children are the future,” Hannah said. “Teachers are important and deserve this recognition for what they do for our children.”

And, we agree. These teachers are very deserving of this prestigious award. We want to thank these teachers and all the others who work endlessly for the welfare of our kids. You all make a huge difference!

How We Show Gratitude & Appreciation

These are big words: gratitude, appreciation, community. And their meanings are even more significant!

these special valentines show how much gratitude and appreciation comes from our annual GEF donationEvery year around this time, Coller Industries receives a special package. Inside this package are not only handwritten thank you Valentines, but also lots and lots of love. We receive these cards every year due to our annual donations to the Granite Education Foundation. And every year, our hearts are filled with gratitude and appreciation for those in our community.

Enclosed in the package is also a letter from the board of Granite Education Foundation:

Hey, Valentine!

Exchanging heartfelt messages on Valentine’s Day is a well-loved tradition. While the earliest Valentines were little more than hastily scribbled notes, today we can choose from thousands of varieties, each designed for a specific relationship in our lives. A hundred years ago, only sweethearts exchanged Valentine’s Day cards, but the practice has spread to encompass friends, family, colleagues and supporters.

This year, Granite Education Foundation and students from throughout Granite School District want to express our heartfelt thanks for your continued generosity and support. Enclosed you will find hand-made Valentine’s Day cards that our students created with YOU in mind.

Each board member signs this letter as a token of their gratitude and appreciation for all our donation does for teachers, students and the school district.

these special valentines show how much gratitude and appreciation comes from our annual GEF donationGranite Education Foundation (GEF)

Federal and state funds do not meet the immense needs of our students, teachers and schools. The Granite Education Foundation provides access to resources that improve educational outcomes.

We provide educational opportunities for students of Granite School District.

We educate students, teachers and members of our community on ways to impact our community. Together, we CAN make a difference! We gather and give resources the GRANITE way. We impact children and teachers in public education. We advocate, inform and promote learning for students and their families.

The lessons we learn from helping in our community teaches us how to be grateful for what we have. And when we realize what we have, we give even more back to those around us.

these special valentines show how much gratitude and appreciation comes from our annual GEF donation

these special valentines show how much gratitude and appreciation comes from our annual GEF donation

Coller Industries is known for their impact in the community through product donations. But the annual contribution to GEF is the one donation that we deem the most poignant. We are giving to the schools, the children, and most importantly, we are providing for our future.

These actions we make each year fill our hearts with gratitude and appreciation for those around us. Those who strive every day to make a difference in the world. So, yes, we receive thank you cards, but we feel that we are the ones who should be the most grateful. And that, in essence, is why we give donations.

Community, Education and Our Future

Sometimes it isn’t about the name tags. Sometimes, it’s just about helping our community.

Every year, as part of our way of celebrating the holidays, Coller Industries looks at how we can give back to our community. In the past we have given to different organizations and foundations, such as the Alaska Whale Foundation, to aid in their efforts. But, every year we always give to the Granite Education Foundation. This tradition of giving has been going on for nearly ten years.

giving back to our coller industries community through granite education foundation

To date, we have given over $57,000 to this fantastic foundation.

Coller Industries received a thank you letter from the Granite Education Foundation. The letter is from Brent Severe, CEO of the Granite Education Foundation. It reads as follows:

“Thank you for investing in futures through your generous donation to the Granite Education Foundation for programs in Granite School District. Because of you, more students can pursue an education in an environment that cultivates excellence. Your generosity creates possibilities, and your kindness nurtures engaged learning which will enrich education opportunities for our youth.”

While it isn’t about the money, it is about helping. We value education here at Coller Industries. And we want to make sure that everyone gets the education they need; this includes family, friends and neighbors alike.

The letter also states, “The Granite Education Foundation has been established to supplement the excellent programs in Granite District’s schools, to help provide the highest classroom opportunities for each child, and for teacher excellence awards. Know that you are helping dreams come true.”

The Coller family and their employees take pride in knowing we have reached out to our surrounding community. We will continue to do so in the hopes that we are helping our friends and neighbors. And we are also aiding in the education and celebration of our children.

As Gary Coller, President of Coller Industries, says, “(Donations make) us more responsible in the community. And hopefully, our customers appreciate when they see that we give back.”

From product donations to monetary help, the time we spend investing in education, our children and our community means a great deal to us.

Creating Unity Through Education

Granite Education Foundation (GEF) and Coller Industries Incorporated are working together, again!

Due to our donations and continual support, Granite Education Foundation invited Coller Industries to attend this year’s Excel Evening of Honors. The “EXCEL Evening of Honors” was held on April 21st.

Granite Education Foundation (GEF) and Coller Industries Incorporated are working together, again!Every year, Granite Education Foundation supporters gather to recognize outstanding teachers, administrators and community members whose personal commitment and contribution impacts 67,000 students in the Granite School District.

The annual EXCEL Award publicly honors and recognizes educators who raise the bar of their profession. The award recognizes teaching that incites intellectual curiosity in students, engages them thoroughly in the enterprise of learning, and has a lifelong impact.

Winners are nominated by school administrators, parents, colleagues and students through an intensive application process. A selection committee then reviews each application. Members of this Excel Selection Committee then surprise each winner at their school with the announcement. This interaction was recorded and shared at the presentation event.

The committee received over a thousand nominations and had to select only ten winners.

Gary Coller, President of Coller Industries, said, “I look forward to this every year, it’s an honor to be around great educators and dedicated professionals who support them. (With ten great teachers honored), and I was able to present an award to a teacher whose mother has also been recognized as a teacher of the year.”

Granite Education Foundation (GEF) and Coller Industries Incorporated are working together, again!Emily Lehnardt believes that children are perfect candidates for her to “awaken” the human spirit to love life-long learning. She feels children exude great curiosity and seemingly limitless creativity.

Emily applies Dr. Einstein’s teaching philosophy in her classroom. She believes Dr. Einstein lived in creative expression and knowledge. His creativity through experiments gave the world cutting-edge information.

“Ms. Lehnardt is exactly what my son needed in first grade. Her passion for teaching and learning shines through and really inspired him to love going to school.” -Parent

Ramona Braunberger, Marketing Manager for Coller Industries, said, “Emily is the educator you want (for your child). It is very apparent that she cares about the kids and is excited about teaching.”

During the gala, each winner received a special “Excel Award,” a gift basket, a monetary award, and other generous gifts to recognize their achievements.

“Every year we have the phenomenal opportunity to recognize educators who exemplify the values and mission of Granite School District,” said Dr. Martin W. Bates, Granite School District Superintendent.

“These individuals have demonstrated exceptional teaching skills and a commitment to student success. In addition, they provide meaningful contributions to their school community, and are constantly seeking ways to improve the educational experience of their students,” said Dr. Bates.

Congratulations to the 2017 GEF Excel Winners!

Emily Lehnardt – Cottonwood Elementary
Sheri Coats – Armstrong Academy
Sarah Wilson – South Kearns Elementary
Zachary Layton – Eisenhower Jr High
Wendee Johnston – Whittier Elementary
Yvonne Miller – Fremont Elementary
Rhonda Small-Oakes – Hartvigsen
Anita Ardi – Churchill Jr High
Callah Morrey – West Kearns Elementary
Craig Stauffer – Hunter High

Why Honor Teachers?

Research shows that students with high-performing teachers can progress three times as fast as students with low-performing teachers. Effective educators can influence the climate of the entire school. Their commitment, passion, expertise, and creativity are infectious. Students love them because they make learning fun and engaging. Administrators love them because they get results. Parents love them because they affirm their student’s potential.

In the face of increasing class sizes and insufficient funding and resources, the majority of Granite District teachers are dipping into their own pockets and their own time to bridge the gap for their students. Educators are finding progressive and engaging solutions to institutional problems and changing the world, one child at a time.

Coller Industries is proud to be a part of this process. While our role is small in comparison to these educators, we are still happy that we get to take part. Our children’s education has a direct impact on our business as we like to focus on working in our community. Helping out our local community is a large part of what defines the generosity of Coller Industries Incorporated.

Granite Education Foundation (GEF) and Coller Industries Incorporated are working together, again!