Logan Smith’s Marketplace Associates Named Smith’s 2010 Community Volunteers of the Year

A group of associates at the Smith’s Marketplace store in Logan have been selected as Smith’s 2010 Community Volunteers of the Year. The employees were recognized for their efforts to create happier holidays for many disadvantaged people during the past 12 years through the Cache County Sub for Santa program.

Executives from Smith's presented recognition certificates and a check for $500 for the 2010 Sub for Santa program on Thursday, May 27 at 11:00 AM at the Smith’s Marketplace Store at 750 North Main in Logan.

Recipients from the Sub for Santa Committee include Don Blair, Scot Elliott, Elaine Larsen, Julee Andersen, Mikall Smith and Sue Stephens They Logan employees were selected from many other nominations submitted from Smith’s seven states of operation in the Intermountain West.

"We are proud of the difference this group of dedicated Smith’s associates has made within the Logan community through their compassion and hard work," said Marsha Gilford, Smith’s Vice President Public Affairs. "They represent Smith’s well among the other Kroger division recipients from across the country as examples of passionate volunteerism."

The annual Smith's fundraiser includes "Santa’s Night Out" where Santa hears the wishes of children who visit the Smith's Marketplace store prior to Christmas. The gift deliveries are made with the help of reindeer (llamas dressed with antlers) carrying stuffed Santa packs and guided by volunteer elves that pass out candy canes door to door along the parade route. At the end of the parade are the homes of families to receive the needed holiday gifts which include snow boot, costs, space heaters and of course toys.

Smith’s parent company, the Kroger Co., established the Community Service Award in 2001 to encourage and recognize outstanding community service given by associates from across the country. Criteria include demonstrated leadership, a successful or creative approach to addressing the particular community need and a personal commitment to the cause.

Smith’s is a division of the Kroger Co. (NYSE:KR), one of the nation’s largest retail grocers. From its division office in Salt Lake City, Smith’s 13,000 associates serve customers in 134 Marketplace Stores, Smith’s Food & Drug Stores and Smith’s Express convenience stores throughout 7 western states including Utah (49), Nevada (40), New Mexico (26), Wyoming (7), southeastern Idaho (4), Montana (4) and northern Arizona (4). For more information visit www.smithsfoodanddrug.com.