On Saturday, December 4th 2010, Yale Lift Trucks of Florida and Georgia held their annual company holiday party at Embassy Suites, in Tampa. The holiday party is a tradition that employees have looked forward to since 1982.

Despite the ailing economy, CEO and Founder, A.D. “Sandy” MacKinnon believes that the holiday party is an important part of building and maintaining high morale in the company. “Yale team members enjoy the camaraderie of the event, as well as the dinner, drinks, and prize raffles,” says MacKinnon. The company raffles off dozens of gifts including an iPod, cameras, gift cards, and $250 in cash. 

This year’s holiday party was even more special. More than 150 employees and their spouses and significant others came together to give back to the community. The group rallied together for a toy drive to support Kid’s Charity of Tampa Bay, a cause that is near and dear to MacKinnon’s heart. His wife, Dottie Berger MacKinnon founded Joshua House and A Kid’s Place, both shelters for abused, abandoned, and neglected children in the Tampa Bay area.

 

The toy drive brought in dozens of toys and other items for children from ages six months to seventeen years old. The MacKinnon’s were unaware of the toy drive and were surprised by the generosity of the employees.