Recreation and education are just two of the many aspects of our community benefitting from the time and talent offered by Syncrude employees.
Employees, like Shaun Hambley, Cody Biduke, Marlene Ellis and Tyler Roberts, who have all taken part in the Good Neighbours program and have earned grants for the non-profit organizations they serve.
Syncrude’s Good Neighbours program celebrates and encourages the efforts of employees who volunteer in our community. The program provides a $750 volunteer grant to organizations that employees and retiree’s volunteer with for a minimum of 40 hours in a calendar year. Similarly, the busing grant provides organizations with $2,500 to help offset the costs of travel.
Since 2003, Syncrude has donated over
$34,000,000
to registered non-profit organizations.
The Fort McMurray Minor Hockey Association (FMMHA) strives to teach children the fundamental skills of hockey, as well as to promote and develop sportsmanship, fair play, pride, self-worth and confidence. The association benefits from the Good Neighbours program by using their grant money towards transportation and apparel for the children who participate in the league. “Giving back to the community can’t be replaced with a dollar value,” said Shaun Hambley, Senior Process Advisor – Business Services, and a volunteer with FMMHA.
Syncrude not only acknowledges the work we do, but they encourage us to keep going.
Shaun Hambley
The Fort McMurray Monarchs Football Club, a team in the Alberta Football League, has also had great success since they began receiving grants from the Good Neighbours program and credits their success as a team to the donations they have received. “The Good Neighbours program has helped the team immensely,” says Cody Biduke, Blend Coordinator – ML Production and Contracts, and the club’s Alumni Director. “Our closest road game is in St. Albert, so the money the team receives through the busing grant is a big part of why the team not only exists but has won a national championship.”
The financial support organizations receive through this program not only helps their day-to-day operations, but also strengthens the relationships of those within the community and create lifelong friendships. “The busing grant has allowed the girls to travel to Calgary for tournaments as a team,” said Marlene Ellis, HR Coordinator – Compensation & Benefits, and Fort McMurray Thunder Volleyball volunteer. “Keeping the team together allows them to develop bonds that are beneficial both on and off the court.”
Employees that volunteer with these non-profit organizations are members of the community who are devoted to making the community better and stronger for future generations. “Knowing that my volunteer work will help my child and other children progress in the future made it an easy decision to volunteer,” said Tyler Roberts (photographed in image), Process Team Lead – Conversion North, and volunteer with the Wood Buffalo Educare Society.
Syncrude’s commitment to do better is carried by Syncrude employees. Thank you to all the employee volunteers who are working towards improving our community.
