Cards for Soldiers: An LCI Service Project

Service has long been a meaningful way for the Lean Construction Institute community to put its values into action. At the 2025 LCI Congress, attendees not only learned and networked with industry leaders, but also gave back with a service project.

Our Cards for Soldiers initiative invited Congress attendees to write New Year’s cards to U.S. service members stationed overseas for the holidays. Hosted in the Exhibit Hall, the Service Project Station provided a quiet, intentional space for participants to pause and contribute in a personal way throughout the week.

Over the course of Congress, handwritten cards were completed and sent overseas through Hugs for Soldiers, a nonprofit that delivers care packages and messages of support to deployed service members.

“While we strengthen our Lean community through learning and connection at Congress, service to the community brings Lean’s collaborative spirit to life,” said Brian Perlberg, CEO, Lean Construction Institute. “I personally found this to be a meaningful endeavor and a new tradition that LCI will continue.”

For many attendees, the experience carried personal significance.

Michael V., a retired Marine, reflected on how meaningful these gestures can be for those deployed:

“As a retired Marine, I know what it is like to be deployed during the holidays. Anything that you get that reminds you of home is always a welcomed surprise. You can feel really isolated when you are on board ship for six months or forward deployed at a base in a distant country. Reminders that there are people back home that appreciate what you are doing and are thinking about you really does lift spirits.”

For others, the act of writing itself became unexpectedly powerful.

Don M., who served in the Army Reserve from 1968 to 1974, shared:

“This was the first time I have written a card to someone I did not know. When I sat down at the table to write a message, the words flowed easily because I was sincerely thanking a soldier for being willing to serve our country. I wanted that soldier to know that someone cared enough to reach out… I will do it again if I have another chance in the future.”

Jen L. described how the project reframed her entire Congress experience:

“Participating in the Cards for Soldiers project mattered to me because it reminded us that Lean is not just about projects or processes. It is about people. Taking a few quiet minutes to write a card grounded the entire Congress experience in service and humanity. The act itself was small, but the ripple of impact could be enormous.”

Many thanks to all Congress attendees who took time to participate, and to Hugs for Soldiers for ensuring these messages reached service members overseas!