How the Plug Power Team is Getting into the Holiday Spirit
The holiday season is traditionally a time to reflect, give thanks, and give back. At Plug Power, we always observe the holidays by showing our team members gratitude and spreading cheer around the community. After all, the Plug team and our families have kept the company innovating and growing for over 20 years. As we approach the end of a year unlike any other, this is a fact worth celebrating. Even COVID-19 can’t stop the Plug family from—safely—getting into the spirit.
We kicked off the holiday season with our annual employee turkey giveaway – an important Plug tradition mapping back to 1999. Whereas staff members would typically collect their turkeys on the manufacturing floor, this year’s event was organized as a drive-through. In fact, many chose to donate their turkey to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York located across the street. Even if we couldn’t gather this Thanksgiving, we found ways to stay connected and support each other.
True to the Plug Power culture, our outreach to our local communities was stronger than ever. Plug Power proudly supported the ‘No Neighbor Hungry: Stocking the Shelves’ campaign helping to stock the shelves of 30 local food pantries. Our Spokane team also pulled off its annual food drive with a new virtual donation component. And, most honorably, the employees of Plug Power pledged $50,000 to the United Way, Plug Power’s flagship not-for-profit, helping our local communities during this time of need and solidarity.
Light shows are, of course, the original socially-distanced holiday activity. So while there won’t be any crowds this year, the reindeer from a past (GenDrive fuel cell-powered) holiday parade float has made its way to the roof of our Latham, NY headquarters – where she’s proudly perched since 2014. Although we wonder, following this year’s advances in hydrogen-powered aircraft, if Santa won’t soon make the switch from flying reindeer to green hydrogen.
At the outset of the pandemic, Plug Power initiated four key priorities: (1) maintain employee and employee family safety; (2) provide customer support to those providing essential services; (3) provide local support and (4) continue to remain focused on the long-term strategic objectives of the Company. With our team’s continuing dedication, Plug Power has managed not just to stay afloat but to thrive; we have exceeded benchmarks toward our 2024 goals, safeguarded our employees’ health and made an impact in our local communities. Even in difficult times, these achievements call for some festive cheer. Happy holidays everyone! And may 2021 be joyous for us all.