This article was provided by the Ontario Mining Association (OMA), an organization that was established in 1920 to represent the mining industry of the province.
Ontario Mining Association member Vale and United Steelworkers Local 6500 worked together to reach the fundraising goal of three-quarters of a million dollars for United Way/Centraide Sudbury and Nipissing Districts. The company and the union jointly announced this $750,000 charity-supporting success earlier this week.
“Achieving this fundraising goal speaks to the incredible generosity of our employees and their ongoing commitment to our community,” said Kelly Strong, Vice President of Vale’s Ontario and U.K. Operations. “It is an accomplishment we can all be proud of.” Mr. Strong is also serving as the 78th chairman of the Ontario Mining Association, which will be celebrating its 94 anniversary later this year.
Mr. Strong kept his promise to employees when the fundraising target was reached to acknowledge the achievement with a ceremonial head shaving. Patricia Mills, Publisher of Northern Ontario Business and Sudbury Mining Solutions Journal, who is United Way chair, performed the tonsorial manoeuvre at a public event.
“I respect a leader who puts his faith – and in this case his head – on the line to support employees,” said Ms Mills, Community Campaign Chair for the local United Way/Centraide campaign drive. “Vale employees, management and the USW are major supporters of this community and achieving this outstanding goal together is true leadership on all levels.”
“Year after year, members of the USW Local 6500 continue to support their community and ensure the fundraising goal is reached by personally contributing to the United Way/Centraide campaign,” said Rick Bertrand, President of USW Local 6500.
Contributions by Vale employees and pensioners are matched by the company. The company offers a payroll deduction program for employees supporting United Way/Centraide Sudbury and Nipissing Districts. Last year’s Sudbury area United Way campaign surpassed its goal of $1.85 million with more than $1.96 million being raised through various initiatives and individual donations. These funds support 51 social service programs within the Greater Sudbury area.
Vale Canada Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Brazilian mining company Vale. Vale’s nickel mining and metals division is headquartered in Toronto. It operates six mines, a smelter and a refinery in Sudbury, employing about 4,000 people.
Mining companies are responsible, solution-providing partners in society. They do more than find, extract and process minerals essential to our modern lifestyle. They volunteer and add great value to the quality of life in their communities and beyond.