Showing Up for Each Other and Their Community
Olympic Steel’s Bettendorf, IA Team gave back to their community through organized events, holiday celebrations and fun employee activities.
For our Bettendorf, IA division, winter 2025 was full of warmth, generosity and a whole lot of heart. Here’s a look at the meaningful ways our Bettendorf employees made a difference this winter – putting our Core Values into action.
A Simple Idea Has a Big Impact: The Coat Drive
It all started with a warehouse employee asking a simple question: “Could we do a coat drive this year?” That idea sparked one of the facility’s most successful engagement activities in recent memory.
They asked for gently used, clean coats and sweatshirts; the response from employees exceeded expectations. Because of the enthusiasm and steady donations, the event was extended to two additional weeks. In total, the drive ran for about five weeks and served individuals of all ages, with sizes ranging from newborn to 4X. By the end of the drive, the Bettendorf Team donated 53 coats and 28 sweatshirts!
All donations were delivered to Family Resources Inc., a nonprofit social services organization serving eastern Iowa and western Illinois. Family Resources provides critical support including survivor and crisis services, emergency shelter and housing, mental health and counseling, youth and family programs, and more. Their mission is to help people live successful, stable lives and build strong, healthy communities, and it perfectly aligned with the spirit behind the drive.
Spreading Cheer, One Snack at a Time: The Cheermeister Cart
To keep spirits high during the busy holiday season, the Bettendorf Team rolled out the Cheermeister Cart – literally! A cart decorated with festive lights and garland made its way around the facility twice a day, once on first shift and once on second shift, delivering free goodies and lots of smiles.
Here’s what was on the menu:
- Monday: Homemade cupcakes generously donated by Shane Irish and his wife
- Tuesday: Gourmet popcorn from G’s Popcorn and homemade chocolate peanut clusters donated by Tasha Lee
- Thursday: A full hot chocolate bar complete with mini candy canes, marshmallows, and melt-in sprinkles
- Friday: Cookies to wrap up the week on a sweet note
Sometimes it’s the small things, like a surprise treat mid-shift, that make a big difference, and the Cheermeister Cart delivered exactly that.
A Meal, a Thank You, and a Little Friendly Competition
The holiday meal was another highlight of the season. A catered meal provided by The Half Nelson, serving a generous spread for employees on first and second shifts. To show appreciation for a great year, members of management stepped up to serve the food themselves.
The celebration didn’t stop there. An Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest crowned winners on both shifts, each receiving a goody bag packed with candy and chocolate. After the meal, employees participated in three rounds of holiday trivia. Special shoutout to Machelle Valle, the resident trivia queen, who created all the questions on her own. Trivia winners received Vander Vending bucks to use in the breakroom snack machines.
It was a celebration filled with gratitude, laughter, and plenty of holiday cheer.
Giving Beyond Our Walls: Senior Secret Santa and Christmas Families
Each holiday season, the Bettendorf location partners with vendors, customers, and employees to raise funds for local individuals and families in need. Through donated items, monetary contributions, and employee raffle ticket sales, they raised approximately $2,400.
Those funds supported two programs at CASI (Center for Active Seniors, Inc): Senior Secret Santa and the Adopt-A-Family Program. They provided 10 local seniors with least two items from their wish list. They also adopted two families from a local school district (a single mother with four children and two parents with three children). Each set of parents received a $100 Walmart gift card and every child received one set of clothes, one set of pajamas, two toys, and a stocking filled with age-appropriate goodies.
Planning Ahead: Winter Fundraiser for 2026
Their generosity didn’t stop with the 2025 season. Using the same raffle and donation approach, they raised over $3,000 during their winter fundraiser. The funds have been set aside to support holiday giving in 2026, allowing them to make an even bigger impact later this year.
A Winter to Be Proud Of
From coats and comfort to meals, memories, and meaningful giving, Winter 2025 showcased the very best of our Bettendorf team. These efforts were powered by employee ideas, volunteerism, and a shared commitment to taking care of one another and their community.
Great work, Bettendorf! If you’d like to learn more about these events, reach out to Bettendorf’s HR Generalist, Kelsey Dankert at Kelsey.Dankert@olysteel.com.
