Written By Jerry Golub, CEO One of the most enjoyable aspects of our business is helping our customers celebrate their holiday traditions as they come together to create special moments and lasting memories.   Knowing that we play this role is incredibly fulfilling, as it speaks to our higher purpose and the important difference we can make in peoples’ lives. As I visit our stores during the holiday season, it’s apparent that our teammates share this feeling.  The excitement of the season seems to transcend their interactions with our shoppers and with each other.  As a result, the bonds that have been built over time between our teammates and shoppers appear to be highlighted and strengthened as a result of those exchanges. As a company, we are completely focused on delivering a great shopping experience on a consistent basis throughout the year.  Whether someone is shopping for a special occasion such as their holiday meal, or to satisfy any number of everyday needs, our goal is to be viewed by each customer as a valuable resource.  In order to accomplish this, we depend on all our teammates to understand and meet our shoppers’ many different needs through their interactions with thousands of individuals every day. I believe those interactions between our teammates and our customers have been even more important this holiday season than in past years.  During a time of uncertainty and disruption for many around the world, the reassurance of everyday connections we share and the caring we show each other during our daily routines can act as a very powerful grounding force for everyone. So I have two messages this holiday season. First, to all our teammates, I want to thank you for the incredible job you do.  You are able to set aside the pressures of your own daily lives, and focus on delivering a great shopping experience to our customers every day of the year.  For that, I am extremely grateful. Finally, I’d like to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and a very happy, healthy, and fulfilling new year.  May 2016 bring an increased awareness of the humanity we all share and with it a universal goal of achieving peace, both in our own homes and in the world. Happy New Year, everyone. Musical Inspiration:  Here’s a recording of a classic, but very timely song, performed by some exceptionally talented local high school students at the 2007 “Melodies of Christmas” concert at Proctor’s Theater in Schenectady.  This annual concert benefits the Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Albany Medical Center, and is also broadcast on Albany’s CBS station on Christmas Eve and Christmas day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxCOrfS_NY0