Giving Back with God’s Pit Crew & Columbia’s Interns

Columbia Forest Products recently wrapped up its 2025 internship program with a celebratory send-off at the Greensboro office. 

The theme of this year’s program was “Passport to Your Career – The Columbia Way.” The program provided interns with a dynamic journey of skill-building, hands-on learning and leadership development. 

Interns were immersed in Columbia’s culture of Significant Service by taking part in two projects: building a homeowner’s ramp with Aging Gracefully and, at the wrap-up event, packing Blessing Buckets with God’s Pit Crew."

What is a Blessing Bucket? 

A Blessing Bucket is a five-gallon bucket filled with everyday essentials, offering practical help and a small reminder of God’s love during times of disaster. God’s Pit Crew delivers tractor-trailer loads of these buckets to the hardest-hit areas after a natural disaster, distributing tens of thousands each year to those in need.

The Columbia Connection 

In 2024, Columbia witnessed firsthand the impact of Blessing Buckets and the message of hope they bring during a disaster. Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina, including Old Fort, home to one of Columbia’s key mills. Many employees and community members were affected by the storm, losing housing and essential resources for an extended time.

During this trying time, several Columbia employees helped distribute Blessing Buckets and a few were even supported by them. The essential items contained within the buckets proved incredibly useful for folks affected by Hurricane Helene, especially when transportation was limited or unavailable.

The Intern Experience

The 2025 Columbia interns who got the opportunity to work with God’s Pit Crew included:

• Matthew Miceli, Exercise Science, Appalachian State University 

• Michael Lewis, Business Management, Appalachian State University 

• Miles Allison, Business Management, Appalachian State University & CFP Foundation Scholarship Recipient 

• Addison Sepesi, Environmental Science & Sustainable Materials, North Carolina State University 

• Clayton Lee, Fish, Wildlife & Conservation Biology, Colorado State University & CFP Foundation Scholarship Recipient 

 

Columbia interns joined forces with colleagues to prepare items and assemble Blessing Buckets, putting the company’s commitment to service into action. This hands-on experience allowed them to give back and significantly serve the community, something that is both core to Columbia’s mission and for the next generation of leaders. The buckets they assembled will provide vital support to those affected by disasters.