Syncrude employees choose Kidsforever to receive $25,000 grant.
Kidsforever leads the pack of six community charities that will receive a total of $50,000 in funding from Syncrude’s community investment program, as determined by Syncrude employees.
Kidsforever will receive $25,000 in the Syncrude campaign that recognized employees who volunteer in the community and raised awareness of the many community charities that could benefit from more help.
“We’re thrilled to be on the receiving end of these funds,” says John Foy, president and founder of Kidsforever. “The money will help purchase much needed equipment for two local youth struggling with diabetes. We appreciate the many Syncrude volunteers who help Kidsforever and think this was a great campaign.”
Five other not-for-profit groups will each receive $5,000. They are: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Wood Buffalo, the Centre of Hope, the Fort McMurray Chinese Canadian Cultural Society, the Sanatan Mandir Cultural Society and the Fort McMurray SPCA.
As part of Syncrude’s campaign, employees were first asked to choose from among 89 eligible community organizations to arrive at a short-list of six finalists. Employees then chose their favorite from those six, with the top choice receiving a $25,000 grant.
“Employees were very enthusiastic in their support for this campaign and I am very pleased that nearly 1,600 participated,” said Syncrude president and CEO Scott Sullivan.
As part of the promotion, Syncrude also ran a local advertising campaign praising the work of employees who volunteer their spare time to work in support of community causes.
There is a tremendous need in the community for people to get involved and make it better for us all, and I am very proud of the many Syncrude employees who do just that.
Scott Sullivan
Syncrude’s Good Neighbours program provides cash grants to local charities when its employees volunteer at least 40 hours per year with an eligible organization of their choosing. This year, grants awarded under the program totaled $113,000. A further $78,000 was awarded to 17 community groups to offset the cost of travel to out-of-town events such as sports tournaments. In total, some $5 million was awarded through Syncrude’s community investment program in 2011.
Information about the work of the six winning organizations can be found at the campaign website: www.syncrude.ca/thegeteffect.
