CSX Supports the Troops

Concerned over morale problems in Afghanistan after the shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, Neva Davis, administrative assistant for the CSX Industrial and Agricultural Products (IAP) group in Sales and Marketing, approached VP Kyle Hancock about putting together a program to send packages to the troops.

Because CSX Intermodal AVP Reynold Hoover had been called to active duty as a general heading up a logistics unit going to Afghanistan in mid-December, he was approached about the project. General Hoover, who will have a 4,000 member unit under his command, provided a list of 258 personnel from that group who were deployed with him from Fort Hood on December 10 to arrive in Afghanistan on December 14.

“Our team enthusiastically embraced this project as a way to show that CSX employees and families appreciate the sacrifice our brave men and women are making,” said Davis. “It is especially gratifying that school children, our customers, suppliers and community groups joined in to help as well.”

More than 40 IAP employees coordinated the assembly and distribution of over 300 care packages to the troops. CSX customers and suppliers came forward to donate items as well. In addition, the team gathered an estimated 1,500 personal letters from employees, family members and school children to thank the troops. Along with the letters, care packages included pens, games, snacks, hats and personal items.

The group intends to continue the letter-writing program in 2010 to ensure that the troops hear something from home on a regular basis.