Yulista CARES Donates Over 1,200 Backpacks Nationwide in 2020

Students in Kwethluk and Napaskiak Received School Supplies

Storyknife, January/February 2020 edition

Employees of Yulista Holding LLC—a Calista Corporation subsidiary—successfully delivered 1,220 backpacks and school supplies across the nation in 2020! Yulista and its family of companies packed and shipped the donations out of the Huntsville, Alabama location.

“Knowing the impact that those supplies make in the lives of the parents, students and teachers who receive them is truly satisfying,” says Mary Muse, head of the Yulista CARES campaign.

Yulista CARES is an employee driven community service initiative. It stands for: Community, Appreciation, Relations, Employee Support.

Mary Muse and her devoted crew adapted to the challenge to meet the donation goal once again. Unable to personally deliver the backpacks to Alaska’s schools, the mission objective remained on course.

Yulista CARES successfully sent over 500 backpacks to Shareholders in Kwethluk and Napaskiak. In its seventh year, the Yulista team championed a campaign to deliver backpacks full of school supplies for the children and teachers in the Calista Region, along with schools and programs in their own communities.

“I spoke with one elementary school principal who expressed many thanks. She was moved by the frequent tears from parents and students who receive the backpacks and supplies—especially for those who transfer mid-year,” Mary says. “Frequently, the parents in these areas don’t have work-from-home flexibility. They struggle to manage work and the kids schooling from home.”

Yulista didn’t stop there. Backpacks were also sent to Hawaii, New Jersey and Texas—Yulista subsidiary locations—something that they had never done.

“Many parents in our communities have also been laid off due to COVID,” Mary says. “These parents need assistance now more than ever.” Calista thanks the amazing Yulista CARES team for their generosity to our communities in the YK Delta and across the nation. This grassroots, employee-led program left no doubt that these backpacks would be distributed by any means. Even through a tragic pandemic.