Small connections grease the way for bigger conversations. When we come together in celebration, we exercise the same muscles we use to hash out a project at work or overcome turmoil.
Studies show that a strong sense of community at work directly contributes to personal happiness, professional satisfaction, and even physical health. For federal employees who serve under high expectations and shifting demands, peer connection is more than a perk — it's a pillar of resilience. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Buffalo District is fortunate to have a long history of gathering in and out of the office to foster those connections.
A Look Back
While private companies might pay for outings and parties, federal employees don’t have the same luxury. Instead, we get creative, and we get organized. The Buffalo District’s Employee Recreation Association is one of multiple volunteer-run organizations in USACE, with the sole purpose of supporting social and recreational activities for the benefit of district employees.
Over the years, volunteer events have ranged from chili cook-offs to shuffleboard tournaments, and from summer picnics to winter holiday parties. The ERA has made space for camaraderie, laughter, and a little friendly competition.
“There have been times when the summer picnic officially stopped at 4 p.m., and unofficially kept going until 11 p.m.,” one longtime employee remembered. “That spirit of fun helped build lasting friendships — and in many cases, careers that spanned decades.”
Recreation with coworkers has also extended beyond ERA events.
Buffalo District employees have participated in casual sports leagues and meet-ups for years: softball, bowling, disc golf, fantasy football, and more. Some teams consist of current employees and retirees.
And, of course, there are good old-fashioned meals and happy hours.
One employee remarked, “I enjoy when our partners [like colleagues in the EPA] come from out of town, and we can show them around Buffalo.”
Many district employees love to show off their hometown to new employees or visitors and introduce them to buffalo wings.
A Viral Pandemic and a Loneliness Epidemic
Recreational events have changed over time, but nothing disrupted these traditions more than the pandemic.
In 2020, potlucks and volunteer-organized gatherings came to a screeching halt as many district employees moved to telework. Even as pandemic restrictions eased up and USACE transitioned for a time to hybrid work opportunities, it was difficult to build back the momentum and find a new normal.
But the desire for connection never went away, and research suggests it’s even more crucial now.
Social isolation during the pandemic was linked to an increase in mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Loneliness remains an epidemic even after lockdowns, especially among younger workers.
A 2024 survey from the American Psychological Association found that 45% of respondents ages 18 to 25 said they feel lonely when they are working, compared to 33% of workers ages 26 to 43, 22% of ages 44 to 57, 15% of ages 58 to 64, and 14% of workers 65 and older.
On the flip side, employees who feel a strong sense of belonging at work are also more likely to report higher well-being. According to the 2021 Employee Experience Trends report from Qualtrics, 78% of people who felt like they belong at their organization also rated their well-being favorably, compared to 28% of people who did not feel like they belonged at their organization.
Community is a Verb
In the past few years, the ERA began rebuilding their activities through small steps.
The Halloween costume contest returned. Bake sales helped fund the revived winter holiday party. The summer picnic included an action-packed kickball game.
And this year, the ERA brought back a location rotation for the annual summer picnic: shifting from a park north of Buffalo that’s been used for multiple years to one south of the city to accommodate employees living in both areas.
In 2023, the Buffalo District moved its headquarters from a federal reservation on the city’s west side to Main Street in the heart of downtown. While the old site had many happy memories (and a space for grilling), the move has opened new opportunities.
Walks between the former office and the Niagara River have been replaced with walks to Canalside, Buffalo’s vibrant waterfront destination on the shore of Lake Erie and the Buffalo River. Depending on the time of year, Fountain Plaza on Main Street may be hosting a farmers’ market or ice skating – fun things to explore with a friend on a lunch break. Several district teams have taken to exploring a roster of downtown eateries and bars for the occasional happy hour.
Junior employees started a new tradition in 2025 — monthly board game nights at a downtown restaurant and brewery during winter months. These events became a space for quieter employees or teammates abstaining from alcohol to gather in a more relaxed setting.
These activities, though simpler than in years past, reflect a shift in how we build community: with intention and inclusivity.
Why Connection at Work Matters — Especially for Feds
The return to 100% in-office work this year has been a notable shift for longer-tenured employees whose routine had changed since the pandemic, and newer ones who started at a time when some of their teammates were regularly teleworking.
Building a sense of community can help ease transitions like this.
Coffee breaks and bake sales may seem simple, but they bring us physically closer and give us the opportunity to connect on what we have in common: a shared mission and common challenges.
According to the Office of Personnel Management’s 2023 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, 92% of federal employees said it is important to them that their work contributes to the common good. Federal employees are values-driven.
For supervisors, it can be beneficial to recognize how connections at work can make for happier, more productive employees. This is true in many industries.
A 2021 Gallup study found that employees who have a good friend at work are more likely to be engaged, and that their workplaces see higher profits and fewer safety incidents.
Friendship and fulfillment aren’t distractions from our mission — they’re what keep us showing up.
Carrying the Torch
A pizza party is not the solution for real issues at work. A bake sale will not level workloads or influence hiring. But when we take time to check in with each other, we foster the trust and teamwork needed to collectively face those challenges.
Building a workplace community can be stunningly simple. It takes small acts of generosity — things every employee has the power to give.
This article was written with assistance from artificial intelligence.
The Buffalo District delivers world-class engineering solutions to the Great Lakes Region, the Army and the Nation to ensure national security, environmental sustainability, water resource management, and emergency assistance during peace and war.
For 250 years, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been at the forefront of the nation’s engineering excellence, responding when called. From constructing fortifications during the Revolutionary War, to building the infrastructure that saw America’s strength grow militarily and economically, USACE’s mission has always been to deliver engineering solutions for our nation’s toughest challenges. Learn more at www.usace.army.mil/Home/250th.