Before I move to more recent events, I want to provide you an update on Marathon Petroleum’s 2016 United Way campaign.

In October, I shared information with you on the services that the United Way provides for 27 local agencies and their continual need for financial resources. I’m proud to report that our employees surpassed all previous years’ contributions in 2016.

With the support of contractor and vendor partners, we raised a total of $455,000. This is the third consecutive year of increased contributions. More importantly, the United Way will be able to provide additional support and services for local families.

In support of Veterans Day, we proudly sponsored and participated in several celebrations including the parish Veterans Day Parade, Combat Marines Golf Tournament, Lutcher VFW Dinner and care packages for our military troops. In supporting these worthy causes, our employees provided 350 care packages to our service men and women serving abroad through the Any Soldier Inc. organization. As an individual or organization, you can support our troops through several different organizations like Any Soldier.

The holiday season is a wonderful time of year to let our troops know that we are appreciative of their service and they are in our thoughts back home.

With the ever increasing commercialism of Christmas and the holiday season, it sometimes seems like Thanksgiving is overlooked. I’m glad to see that’s not the case locally.

There were numerous organizations providing meals in the community and MPC had the privilege to sponsor or participate in three of those events.

You may have noticed that I’ve referred consistently to the holiday season. This is the perfect time of year to reflect, give thanks and help others.

Thanksgiving Holiday is two weeks behind us now, but let’s not limit ourselves to a day. This is a joyous time of year, and there are many ways to say Thank You.

Support a local charity, volunteer or simply shake the hand of a Veteran or Peace Officer and say, “Thank You.”

This is my opportunity to reach out to all of you on behalf of Marathon Petroleum and say, Thank You, for the privilege to serve this community.

Keith Hightower is the Human Resources Manager for Marathon Petroleum’s Garyville Refinery. He can be reached at thightower@marathonpetroleum.com.