Bennett B., who works at our River Street branch, helped dry the eyes of 3-year-old Tori, giving her a stuffed animal when she felt left out during a gift exchange over the weekend. The stuffed kitty, which she named “Tiger,” hasn’t left her side since. ‪

With two team members out amid a busy rush, Sarah D. was under pressure and craving sugar, which she never usually eats. Natalie S. took the last few minutes of her lunch break to hurry out and obtain a surefire cure-all: Chocolate! The small gesture went a long way and helped elevate the mood of the entire River Street team.

It was beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Our team members came together today to make 246 Christmas tree ornaments for the Valley Heights and Pacific Coast Manor rest homes. Later this month, the ornaments and holiday cheer will be delivered in person by our carolers.

Even a small act of kindness can go a long way. Nancee, a Blue Star Mom and Bay Federal team member whose son is a Purple Heart recipient, is sending holiday cards to Walter Reed National Medical Center for injured soldiers so they know they are not forgotten.

When Tina saw a display rack of water topple over in the grocery store, she jumped in to help a nearby store employee quickly pick up the bottles and re-stack them, turning what could have been a messy start to his day into an opportunity to inspire more kindness.

After a cold and rainy commute, the Aptos team was frazzled. Juan and Andy decided their coworkers could use a morning pick-me-up and surprised the team with coffee.

Last year, Richard from our Aptos branch bought $80 in gift cards and passed them out at a local store at random. This year, Lennie joined him. They purchased 8 gift cards and surprised strangers with them in the aisles at Toys''R''Us.