Speaking at the function, President, Alcoa Latin America and the Caribbean, Franklin Feder, who was in the island for a series of business meetings, noted that the ceremony was the most touching he had attended while here.
He noted that working with Alcoa is not just about work and getting costs down. “It gives you an opportunity to be a well rounded citizen.” He thanked the volunteers for putting their time and energy into Bravo! because "volunteering makes you an even more rounded citizen.”
Jamalco’s Managing Director Jerome Maxwell also commended the volunteers noting that Jamalco employees make the company experience the success it is enjoying, adding “That is why we are still here. The power of our people is phenomenal.”
And Corporate Services Manager Leo Lambert added that the company is working to increase employee participation in the Bravo! programme by at least 50% of the workforce by the end of 2009. Mr. Lambert said that Jamalco has a track record of giving back to the community and that “money can’t buy satisfaction, but volunteerism can!”
He urged members of the Jamalco workforce to support the company’s upcoming Labour Day project on May 25 at the Lionel Town Hospital in Clarendon and the Harmons Health Centre in Manchester.
The 2008 Bravo volunteers accepting cheques for CBOs were Ewan Scott for the Clarendon Football Association’s Youth Development Programme, Claudette Harris for Tryall Estate Citizens Association, Camesha Mike-Keane for Foundation Preparatory School, Ealane Livingston – Smith for the Samaritan Centre, Collis Johnson for the Green Park Primary & Junior High School and Winston Douse for B & W Basic School. All had contributed significantly to their community projects giving a combined total of 150 hours to the organisations.
The Alcoa Bravo! programme recognizes Alcoa employees by providing grants to the charitable organizations where they perform at least 50 hours of community service during a calendar year. Employees may apply for one US$250 grant per year.
