ELITE Youth Choir brings Holiday Spirit to Caterpillar

Corporate Headquarters (Building AB) employees were in high holiday spirits after an exciting performance by the ELITE Youth Holiday Choir on December 14. Nearly 60 students, from Peoria High, Peoria Manual, Roosevelt Magnet and Trewyn "ELITE Style" schools, participated in the program, which included holiday songs, a drumline and choreographed dances.

The ELITE Youth program helps to ensure students from kindergarten through high school have the focus, drive, confidence and values to get them through challenging situations. ELITE is led by Carl Cannon, supervisor of Peoria Park District Youth Outreach programs. Cannon emphasizes the importance of respect, knowledge, education and hope: "These kids are the future. They will one day have your jobs at Caterpillar," Cannon announced to the crowd during the holiday choir event.

Jim Baumgartner, director of Corporate Affairs, seconded, telling the ELITE students, "We look forward to working with you - or for you - one day."

The ELITE Youth Holiday Choir program was high-energy and inspiring to employees who were able to attend. It was an opportunity to see Caterpillar Foundation dollars at work in the Peoria community and to see how impactful the ELITE program is to the youth that participate. The event concluded with the ELITE group presenting Caterpillar with a thank-you gift, an ornament that said "Hope."

The ELITE Youth Holiday Choir will also perform in Building CV on Friday, December 21 at 2 p.m.

The ELITE Youth program, part of the Peoria Park District, is a non-profit organization that gives at-risk youth in Peoria-area communities the skills they need to survive on their own. Caterpillar has a strong relationship with ELITE, supporting the program through the Caterpillar Foundation for many years. The Caterpillar Foundation is proud to invest in these programs that are making a difference in the lives of students living in poverty every day.