For more than a decade Johns Manville has given to families in need during the Christmas season.
This year, the local business continues their spirit of giving with another significant donation of $9,057. 87 to the Innisfail and District Christmas Bureau and $1,700 in cash, 30 bags of food donations, and four turkeys to the Innisfail and District Food Bank.
"We have very generous employees. Year after year we've probably given over $10,000 each year to the charities in town,î said Cathy Ouellette, human resource manager at Johns Manville. "Every year we've always had our employees contribute to the food bank and to the Christmas Bureau.î
The giving spirit at Johns Manville began more than 16 years ago with their recycled metal program. Metal is sorted at the plant and taken to recycling centres in either Calgary or Airdrie.
"Johns Manville then donates that money they receive from the recycled metal to the Christmas Bureau,î said Ouelette, noting this year's amount of $3,749.87.
In addition, money collected from employees totalled $3,154 and was matched by Johns Manville, for a total of $6,308.
Another $700 in cash donations and 30 bags of food items were collected at annual Christmas parties. Combined with an additional matching $1,000 from Johns Manville, donations this year came to $10,757.87.
"It's a big help to us for the next 12 months,î said Carole Sim, co-ordinator of the Innisfail and District Food Bank. "We received food as well as cash today and we're very grateful.î
Jane Duncalfe, chair of the Innisfail and District Christmas Bureau, was also on hand to receive the donations and was just as thrilled.
"It's an amazing donation and it helps so much. We need it so badly this year,î said Duncalfe. "It will go a long way and it will give us a good start on next year as well.î
Ouellet said Johns Manville understands the importance of giving back to the community, and the donations from the employees demonstrate the true meaning of Christmas.
"I think it shows the spirit of our employees. They realize they have a good job with Johns Manville and good benefits and they want to share that wealth with their community,î said Ouellet. "Johns Manville matching donations also shows that Johns Manville is committed to our community that we work in.î
Cathy Ouellette
"We have very generous employees. Year after year we've probably given over $10,000 each year to the charities in town."
