(Supplied photo)

By Sheldon Spackman

#UNIGNORABLE

Nova Chemicals employees raise $806,000 for United Way

Dec 21, 2020 | 1:46 PM

In a year that has been unmatched in adversity for local not-for-profit programs and their clients, NOVA Chemicals and its employees have delivered some much-needed hope.

On Monday, in a physically-distanced drive-up style event, Jim Dixon, Joffre Site Campaign Chair, led a motorcade of happy NOVA employees and revealed the total amount of their 2020 Virtual Family-Fun Workplace Campaign by taping a cheque to the United Way Central Alberta’s office window for $806,000.

“These funds are a combination of generous employee and retiree pledges, NOVA’s matching dollars and an additional contribution from the company acknowledging the unparalleled degree of need this year,” said Mark Hodson, NOVA Chemicals site leader. “Throughout a particularly troublesome year, I was impressed with our employees’ enthusiasm as we navigated through a multi-month-long virtual campaign. Their generosity is commendable and will significantly impact many in need.”

“2020’s pandemic and economy dealt serious damage to not-for-profit social service agencies,” added Brett Speight, UWCA Chief Executive Officer. “They couldn’t hold their traditional fundraisers and their client numbers increased as their donor numbers fell. This astounding contribution from NOVA Chemicals and its employees provides our community with the hope that many vital programs for vulnerable populations will have what is needed to continue to operate in 2021.”

“Our employees take pride in our combined efforts in response to children, families and seniors facing #UNIGNORABLE issues in our operating communities,” remarked Jim Dixon. “During our campaign, I recall the United Way reported about 20 per cent of the not-for-profit agencies would likely not survive the pandemic. I am proud of our campaign efforts and hope these funds will help alter that statistic.”

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“Earlier this year, NOVA Chemicals’ cumulative giving total reached the $10 million dollar mark,” said Speight. “Combined with countless volunteer hours by employees in the community, @NOVAChemicals’ commitment to the United Way and all of Central Alberta can’t be overestimated. Thank you NOVA Chemicals and your employees for caring so much about your community’s well-being.”

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