INNISFAIL – The holiday season is a lot rosier for many struggling Innisfailians thanks to the generosity of Johns Manville and its employees.
On Dec. 13 the company and its employees served more than 1,000 meals at Johns Manville’s 6th annual Family Christmas Turkey Dinner at the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion Branch #104.
And at the same time they’ve kept up a tradition of more than 25 years of working together to make a trio of donations to three worthy organizations dedicated to helping the less fortunate.
This year’s holiday season donations were handed out in early December. The funds were raised by employees and matched by the company.
The employees also collected scrap steel throughout the year. They then took it in for recycling and raised $2,865.
The Innisfail Christmas Bureau received $8,230 and the Innisfail and District Food Bank was given $2,500 and 500 lbs of food donations.
The Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter received $2,000.
“It's important that we as a company and its employees give back to the community in which we live. We want to help the people here,” said Heather Cooper, senior human resources generalist at Johns Manville.
“I think it's the chance of being a part of a community and wanting to help the community. It’s not just at Christmas we do it. It’s year round."
Copper noted the company sponsored a tree and shrub planting event with Innisfail middle school kids last May, as well as ensuring kids at École John Wilson Elementary School had backpacks and school supplies.
“The people here are always willing to help out," she said.
