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September 15, 2009
Alcoa volunteers celebrated
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Portland Aluminium employees are at it again this October, when its employees support numerous local community and not-for-profit organisations.
October is Alcoa’s annual ‘Worldwide Month of Service’ – a time when the company encourages employee volunteerism and celebrates its volunteering heroes. In 2008, nearly 40 per cent of Alcoa’s Australian workforce participated and the company is aiming for even higher numbers this year.
The packed event schedule includes working bees at local schools and community groups and tree planting activities with Alcoa’s core climate change partner Greening Australia.
Alcoa’s Managing Director Alan Cransberg said running strong volunteer programs is the crux of a strong connection between business and community.
“It’s the best way to find solutions together, share knowledge, and simply help each other.
“The world we live in today cries out for more community spirit and person-to-person support and Alcoa enjoys playing its part in that.
“Our people clearly share this view, because each year we see our volunteer numbers grow – it’s fantastic and makes me exceptionally proud.
“Especially as we travel through the economic downturn, volunteering and supporting our communities in the way they want to be supported is more important than ever,” Mr Cransberg said.
Throughout 2008, Alcoa employees donated more than 90,000 hours of their time to make a real and lasting difference to their communities – that’s equivalent to over 10 years.
“We believe we have a responsibility to help build and strengthen our communities, and getting thousands of our people out and about, getting their hands dirty, does make a difference,” Mr Cransberg said.
During Month of Service, volunteering events are held around the world in over 200 Alcoa communities, in 33 countries.
The efforts of Alcoans are supported all year round by the Alcoa Foundation which matches employee volunteer hours with financial grants to not-for-profit organisations. The foundation’s signature volunteering programs ACTION and Bravo! generated a total of US$308,000 in Australian community funding throughout 2008.
About the Alcoa Foundation
Alcoa Foundation is a non-profit US corporate foundation. Its mission is to actively invest in the quality of life in Alcoa communities worldwide. Throughout its history, the Alcoa Foundation has been a source of positive community change and enhancement, with over US$490 million invested since 1952.
About ACTION
ACTION (Alcoans Coming Together In Our Neighbourhoods) recognises the team efforts of at least five Alcoa employees who spend a minimum of four hours on a community service project for a local not-for-profit, community or non-governmental organisation. In recognition of the team's effort, the Alcoa Foundation makes a contribution to the organisation; grants are up to $US3,000. In 2008, 43 ACTION grants were awarded, thanks to the efforts of 528 employees.
About Bravo!
Bravo! recognises individual Alcoa employees who volunteer 50 hours of personal time, in one year, to a not-for-profit, community or non-governmental organisation. Every Alcoa employee in Australia is entitled to one Bravo! grant each year. In 2008, 752 Bravo! participants collectively generated nearly $200,000 for their community organisations.
For more visit: www.alcoa.com.au/volunteering
Proposed events in Portland (dates will be supplied as they come)
ACTION Event – Portland Little Athletics Club
BRAVO Brekkie
Employee Ride to Work Day
Make an Impact Bike Maintenance Workshop
Make an Impact Cooling Your House For Summer Workshop
PASL Presentation Luncheon
Community Partner Breakfast
KIDS ‘Injury Free’ Day – Site Fundraiser & HS Reps school visits
ACTION Event –Portland Primary School
ACTION Event – Portland Runners Club
ACTION Event – Surry River Landcare Group
ACTION Event – Portland Special Development School
ACTION Event – Portland Volunteer Coast Guard Flotilla
ACTION Event – Portland Hockey Club
Making the Link Event – Fauna Park
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