Thanksgiving looks a little different in the construction world. While most people are thinking about travel plans and grocery lists, contractors are racing cold weather, buttoning up projects and juggling schedules so crews can get a real day off. For field leaders, it’s one of the busiest stretches of the year.
And yet, across the country, construction companies are deliberately hitting pause to say thank you to the people and communities they serve.
CONSTRUCTION GIVES BACK ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Illinois
In East Alton, Illinois, Pruitt Mechanical Services transformed its parking lot into a drive-thru turkey line, handing out full-size turkeys and grocery bags to anyone who showed up. No forms. No income test. Just a simple philosophy: neighbors helping neighbors, supported by nearly $5,000 in donations from local small businesses.
Seattle Contractors Make Giving a Tradition
In Seattle, Washington, W.G. Clark Construction and other contractors have made Thanksgiving food and essentials drives a standing company tradition. Giving back is ingrained in their company culture.
Bobcat’s Fall Giving Campaign
Through its annual Fall Giving Campaign, Bobcat matched employee donations dollar-for-dollar (up to $3,000 per donor) to support nonprofits nationwide.
“Community support is at the heart of Bobcat’s culture and values,” said Mike Ballweber, president at Doosan Bobcat North America. “Our Fall Giving Campaign is a powerful way to uplift nonprofits driving meaningful change.”
MASON Development’s Project Turkey in Florida
In Jupiter, Florida, MASON Development & Construction continued its Project Turkey program for the third consecutive year, raising funds to provide full Thanksgiving meals to subcontractors and their families. The initiative is designed as a heartfelt thank-you to the people who help bring their projects to life.
SDV Construction’s Thanksgiving Blood Drive in New Mexico
SDV Construction in Albuquerque, New Mexico, will host its Annual Thanksgiving Blood Drive on November 26, offering a life-saving way for the construction community to give back.
“The gift of blood is the gift of life,” the American Red Cross reminds participants—an especially powerful message during the season of gratitude.
CONTRACTORS BUILD COMMUNITY, NOT JUST PROJECTS
These Thanksgiving initiatives highlight a simple truth: construction companies are uniquely skilled at solving problems, coordinating logistics and working under pressure. When they apply those same capabilities to community giving, the impact scales quickly.
5 Simple Ways to Thank Your Crew This Week
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Cater a warm Thanksgiving-style lunch or breakfast for your crew.
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Hand out turkeys or grocery gift cards with a handwritten thank-you note.
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Start a toolbox talk by recognizing a crew member who went above and beyond.
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Give everyone a short break to call or text family if they must work on Thanksgiving.
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Ask the team, “What’s one thing we can do to make your job easier going into winter?”
Learn more about the importance of community engagement and don’t forget to register for CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026.
Photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK/DRAGANA GORDIC
