Giving Back Starts at Home: UMI Staff Rallies for Back-to-School Donation Drive in Santa Fe Springs

At Universal Metro, we believe generosity is a privilege—and this back-to-school season, our team came together to prove just that.

With hearts full of purpose, our staff in Santa Fe Springs joined forces to support the city’s annual Back-to-School Backpack Program, hosted by the Department of Services/Family and Human Services Division. What began as a small idea quickly turned into a company-wide effort led by Senior Project Coordinator Barbara Millette, who helped organize the drive and encourage participation throughout our office and warehouse teams.

Thanks to this incredible response, we collected an estimated eight full boxes of school supplies—everything from notebooks and pencils to backpacks and classroom essentials. Our Warehouse Lead, Luis, personally delivered the donations to the city’s drop-off center.

“We walked in with two dollies full and still had to go back for another load. Everyone did a double take—they were so grateful for our contribution,” shared Millette.

We were deeply honored to receive a heartfelt thank-you from the City and Mayor of Santa Fe Springs, who recognized our donation and spirit of giving.

Supporting the communities where we live and work has always been a cornerstone of Universal Metro’s culture. We’re proud to stand beside local organizations, schools, and charities that make a difference—especially when it helps students start their school year with the tools and confidence they need to succeed.

To our amazing team: thank you for showing that giving back isn’t just a value—it’s an action.