# Defense Logistics Agency Distribution San Joaquin, California leadership hosts an Employee Appreciation Day for its workforce

/ Published Aug. 22, 2022
TRACY, Calif., Aug. 17, 2022
Defense Logistics Agency Distribution San Joaquin, California leadership celebrated its employees during an Employee Appreciation Day at the DDJC installation on Wednesday, August 17.

At the beginning of the event, the DDJC Commander, Marine Col. Kevin Chunn, presented opening remarks and emphasized his thanks to the workforce.

“It is apparent that your hard work and dedication to the warfighter are what make us a successful organization,” Chunn said. “What you do on this installation every day has a positive effect on our warfighter’s ability to protect the nation across the globe. I appreciate you all.”

DLA Installation Management San Joaquin Site Director Jonathan Mathews also provided some opening remarks, thanking the installation’s employees for their hard work.

“I personally could not be prouder of this workforce – not just my own, but all the organizations, partners and tenants on the installation,” Mathews said. “Everyone on this installation has never failed or waivered to go above and beyond to meet the mission and take care of the warfighter."

After the opening ceremony, employees lined up for food – provided by the installation restaurant – and games.

The Civilian Welfare Fund, American Federation of Government Employees Local 1546 Union and employees from DDJC organizations volunteered to run numerous booths during the event.

Volunteers served snow cones, iced coffee, popsicles and popcorn during the Employee Appreciation Day. Additionally, volunteers handed out goods to the workforce provided by Operation Care and Comfort.

This year, the CWF provided the DDJC workforce with hundreds of shirts, socks, school supplies, movies and other goods.

Kassandra Burek, an executive assistant and CWF volunteer, described why she enjoys volunteering for the CWF.

“Taking time out of the workday to say thank you to the workforce is a great moral boost,” Burek said. “One of my favorite parts about the Employee Appreciation Day at DDJC is the ability to give out donations from the OCC to our workforce; I think it is incredibly unique.”

Multiple drawings, provided by the CWF and the AFGE Local 1546 Union, to win different prizes also were available for employees to participate in.

Hundreds of employees participated in the raffles by donating snack items to OCC for forward deployed troops. Toward the end of the event, winners of the various raffles were called, and employees collected their prizes.

Jay Sadioa, an Information Assurance employee with DDJC, was one of the winners of a drawing.

“I’ve been working here for two years now so this is the first time I experienced an Employee Appreciation Day,” Sadioa said. “I was in the military, so you get to see all the support and work on a daily basis that goes into supplying our troops. I really enjoy working here.”

At the end of the event, Chunn commented on the workforce that made the event possible. 

“Thank you to the CWF for spearheading this event, and to all the volunteers who helped set this day up,” Chunn said. “And thank you again to the workforce. I truly appreciate your unrelenting and constant hard work.”