Employee Appreciation and T-Shirt Giveaway

Secretary Bunch and other senior leadership will be on hand at the Donald W. Reynolds Center Kogod Courtyard from 9 to 11:00 a.m., Dec. 13.

As I look back on my tenure thus far as Secretary, I am struck by your dedication, resilience, and professionalism throughout one of the most challenging times in the Smithsonian’s history. We came together several weeks ago for a staff picnic, and I look forward to gathering with you again later this month. As a small token of appreciation for your work, we are again providing a special staff T-shirt to employees. I hope that you will wear this shirt with pride and the recognition that your work is an integral part of what makes the Smithsonian so special.

On Tuesday, December 13, complimentary T-shirts will be distributed to all Smithsonian employees. For those located in or near Washington, DC, my senior team and I will be handing out shirts to SI employees in the Kogod Courtyard of the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. All SI employees who are able to attend are encouraged to come pick up your complimentary T-shirt. Distribution at other sites will be handled at the discretion of the unit, and employees in those locations should receive more information from your leadership.

In addition to the T-Shirt give-away, The Smithsonian Recycling Task Force’s award-winning Banners to Bags will once again be available for purchase. Since 2013, the Banners to Bags Initiative has converted tens of thousands of square feet of old museum exhibit and movie banner material into beautiful reusable tote bags while saving the banners from the landfill. The bags are sold to staff at $20 each and proceeds are used to purchase LED lighting that should save the SI an estimated $66 per bag over five years. Bags made from material from NASM, NMNH, NMAAHC, NMAH, NMAI, Folklife Festival and others are available, and all include the Smithsonian upcycled label to show authenticity.

We ask that all staff bring their Smithsonian ID for entry, as the museum will not be open to the public when the event begins. Please note that only the G Street entrance will be open. 

One final note, due to cost considerations, T-shirts are for employees only, and are not available to affiliated staff such as interns, volunteers, contractors, or others.

Thank you again for all that do for the Smithsonian, and I hope to see many of you on Tuesday, December 13.

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