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Worldwide Month of Service
Every October is Month of Service
Alcoa employees across Australia donated more than 7500 volunteer hours to community projects and not-for-profit organisations, during our fifth annual volunteering month in 2010.
Alcoa’s worldwide ‘Month of Service’, an initiative of the Alcoa Foundation, is a time when we encourage employee volunteerism and celebrate the hundreds of employees who volunteer all year round.
During Month of Service 2010, employees participated in a wide range of activities including assisting Alcoa’s long term conservation partner Greening Australia with key environmental projects, raising money for breast cancer research, busy-bees at local schools, tree planting, and the painting of Surf Clubs and community facilities.
Alcoa of Australia Managing Director, Alan Cransberg, said: “The benchmark for corporate volunteering in Australia is 35 percent employee participation. Alcoa had 35 to 40 percent engagement in Month of Service this year, so I’m very proud of our people.
“October is always a fun time for Alcoans, but importantly we see real community results and efforts which will have a lasting impact – we helped over 600 community groups during Month of Service 2010 and planted over 4000 native seedlings,” he said.
“Alcoa is an important member of many local communities and it’s critical we show them support, both through our employee volunteering programs and our ongoing community partnerships and sponsorships.”
Managers from Alcoa’s Pinjarra Refinery in Western Australia lent a hand to the Peel Soup Kitchen, and Kitchen Facilitator, John Stallard, said: “The support from Alcoa is greatly valued by our organisation because we totally rely on volunteers and the generosity of the public.”
Alcoa employees and the team from Greening Australia joined forces to construct an Indigenous Bushfoods Garden near Alcoa’s Point Henry Smelter in Victoria. Greening Australia’s Candice Parker said: “The Alcoa volunteers have done such a wonderful job and their efforts have saved us a lot of time and money.”
In Portland, Victoria, volunteers painted, tidied storage areas, cleaned equipment and laid adhesive non-slip flooring at the Portland Surf Life Saving Club (PSLSC). PSLSC President Maree Rundell said the volunteers’ efforts had a significant impact: “The Surf Life Saving Club continues to strive to provide the community with a reliable and professional service and Portland Aluminium, as a community partner, plays a very important role in the future of our Club.”
Alan Cransberg, who volunteering at the PSLSC, said the experience reminded him that Surf Life Saving Clubs are often something which are taken for granted.
“We go to the beach and people are there to patrol and take care of those who get into difficulty. It was good to see the volunteers and help them do some work to maintain the standards they, and we, expect. They work very hard and donate many many hours looking after our safety, while also giving kids a sporting outlet,” he said.
“I think we live in a world that cries out for more community spirit, so it was great to get out from behind the desk and do something that makes a real difference – it’s a great feeling,” said Alcoa employee Libby White, who sold merchandise during October on behalf of the National Breast Cancer Foundation.
A team from Wagerup Refinery in Western Australia donated its time to re-paint a much loved local children’s train at the Harvey Lions Club. The Club’s Robert St Duke said: “Heaven knows how many kids have had a ride in the train over the years, so help from the fellas to put a fresh coat of paint on the carriages is much appreciated.”
While Month of Service is our volunteering centrepiece, Alcoa employees are heavily involved in their communities all year round. Throughout the year, we match employees’ volunteer time with financial grants to their chosen not-for-profit organisations through our ACTION and Bravo! programs.
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