DataBank Data Centers Unite to Support U.S. Military with Letters of Gratitude

Dozens of DataBank employees across eight data centers recently came together for a meaningful initiative: writing letters of appreciation and encouragement to U.S. military service members. Teams in Atlanta, Denver, Dallas-Fort Worth, Newark, Houston, New York, Orangeburg, and Salt Lake City participated in the effort, collectively sending more than 500 letters to troops serving at home and abroad.

The letter-writing campaign gave DataBank team members an opportunity to express gratitude and provide a personal connection to those serving in the military. From heartfelt thank-you notes to words of encouragement, each letter represented a small gesture with the potential to make a big impact on service members who are far from home.

Research shows that letters from home significantly boost morale and mental wellbeing for deployed troops, helping to reduce feelings of isolation during extended deployments. These personal connections remind service members that their sacrifices are recognized and appreciated by the communities they protect.

Each DataBank location approached the initiative in its own way, with some teams gathering during lunch breaks to write letters together while others set up stations where employees could contribute throughout the week. The collaborative effort not only supported military personnel but also strengthened bonds among DataBank team members who came together for a shared purpose.

Handcrafted with Care

While DataBank’s letter-writing campaign brought teams together across multiple locations, one employee has been quietly supporting the troops through his own unique contribution for years. Stephen Maiorca, Senior Security Architect at DataBank, has been handcrafting wooden pens for deployed service members for deployed service members since 2017. His efforts began when he first participated in a “Turn the Pen for the Troops” Veteran’s Day event as a local Woodcraft store with his teenage son.

The hobby began as a way to honor the military veterans in his own family—his father, who served in the Army; his grandfather, who was in the Navy during World War II; and his uncle, who served in the Air Force.

Over the years, he’s refined his craft and expanded his contributions. Each pen requires about two hours of work over a 24-hour period, including sawing, drilling, gluing, turning on a lathe, sanding, polishing, and final assembly. He donates these handcrafted pens to For The Troops, a local organization in Simi Valley, California, that creates care packages for deployed service members.

“I don’t always hear back from the troops, but when I do, they’re extremely grateful,” said Maiorca. “I actually ran into one of the soldiers I’d sent a pen to, and he told me it helped him keep in touch with his wife and kids. That’s why I do this—to help the people who are protecting our freedoms and way of life.”

Supporting Those Who Serve

The letter-writing initiative reflects DataBank’s commitment to supporting the communities where its teams live and work. Whether through organized company efforts or individual acts of service, DataBank employees continue to find meaningful ways to give back and express gratitude to those who serve.

For service members who are far from home, these letters and handcrafted gifts serve as reminders that their sacrifices are seen, valued, and deeply appreciated.