After 14 years of determined hard work, Shell Canada's Sundre and area employees have hit the coveted $1 million fundraising mark for the United Way of Central Alberta.
When the local campaign began at the beginning of October it was about $50,000 short of its goal but organizers say Shell workers, aided by last Saturday's NHL Alumni hockey game at the Sundre Arena, collected a total of $1,037,146.
“The interesting thing about this is that $500,000 came from employees. The company matched it,” said Alice Murray, community affairs coordinator for the Shell Central Alberta Region. She said the local fundraising efforts and contributions came from more than 200 employees and long-term contractors at Shell's Caroline and Burnt Timber gas plants and associated fields, along with workers at the Limestone Field and Shantz Sulphur Forming Facility.
“The money to the United Way of Central Alberta is all spent in Central Alberta. It is a totally independent entity from other united ways,” said Murray, adding Shell's fundraising efforts included an online auction for employees as well as pledge packages. “The money has gone to support the Sundre & District Nutrition for Learning Society and Greenwood Neighbourhood Place.”
She said this year's campaign was especially gratifying in that organizers for the first time decided to end fundraising efforts with a charity hockey game with NHL alumni. Last Saturday's game was organized by Cremona's Clair Crosbie, a planner at the Caroline gas plant.
“We had never done anything like this before. We wanted to do a big windup event,” she said, adding the game between the Shell hockey team and Calgary Flames alumni also featured a warm-up with local minor hockey players skating with the professionals.
As well, there was a $500 “Shoot for Cash” for 10 spectators at Saturday's game. Organizers also held an NHL memorabilia silent auction. There were 73 items up for grabs, including prized collectable hockey cards and an autographed Bobby Hull stick from 1978 when the Hall of Flame star was playing for the Winnipeg Jets.
And there was a raffle for a signed St. Louis Blues jersey from defenceman Kris Russell, a native of Caroline.
“The bottom line of the Shell employee campaign is to contribute to help the one in three central Albertans who will use services supported by United Way during their lifetime,” said Murray.
She said the United Way of Central Alberta supports 30 organizations that help families and communities. Last year, United Way donations helped 19,613 children and youth with mentorship opportunities, camp experiences, nutrition, and educational support.
Murray noted the agency supplied food, clothing and shelter to meet the basic needs of 16,880 low income families and community members, and helped 17,229 seniors become healthier and live independently.
