NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alcoa (NYSE: AA) announced today a record 56 percent, or more than 31,000 employees, volunteered in their communities during the company’s annual Worldwide Month of Service held in October. The 14 percent increase over last year beats U.S. company- sponsored volunteer programs, which average between 17 and 31 percent, according to the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship.
“Volunteers are a vital part of any community,” said Klaus Kleinfeld, Chairman and CEO, Alcoa. “In many cases, their donations of time and talent fill the resource gap that nonprofit organizations and communities face, especially during tough economic times.”
“At Alcoa, we actively encourage employees to get involved through direct service volunteering such as participating on nonprofit boards and offering their skills as mentors or advisors,” Kleinfeld said. “This is how positive change happens – when we come together, each with our own abilities and enthusiasm, to tackle the challenges around us. We are proud that Alcoa exceeded its volunteer goals this year and grateful for our many nonprofit partners around the world who are helping us make a difference in our communities.”
Alcoa employees from 24 countries participated in more than 1,200 projects to support local causes during the annual community service month. They partnered with more than 1,800 nonprofits and reached more than 890,000 community members with tangible impacts:
- Planted more than 34,000 trees, improved more than 170 rivers and parks
- Conducted more than 130 environmental workshops
- Recycled more than 87,300 aluminum cans and distributed more than 4,400 recycling bins
- Supported 360 schools by repairing infrastructure, improving literacy and advancing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education
“We’re proud to announce this landmark employee achievement on UN International Volunteer Day, a special day dedicated to building stronger communities through volunteerism worldwide,” said Paula Davis, President, Alcoa Foundation. “We are also pleased to announce the winners of Alcoa’s ‘Spirit of Volunteering’ employee photo contest in celebration of this important worldwide volunteer day.”
Winners were selected by Alcoa employees, Alcoa Chairman and CEO Klaus Kleinfeld, Alcoa Executive Council, the senior leadership group, Alcoa customers and Alcoa Foundation nonprofit partners. Each winner will receive a US$5,000 grant from Alcoa Foundation for their favorite charity. The winners are from Brazil, China, Jamaica, Russia, Spain and Suriname. Visit http://www.alcoa.com/monthofserviceto view the winning photos.
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world’s leading producer of primary and fabricated aluminum, as well as the world’s largest miner of bauxite and refiner of alumina. In addition to inventing the modern-day aluminum industry, Alcoa innovation has been behind major milestones in the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation, consumer electronics and industrial markets over the past 120 years. Among the solutions Alcoa markets are flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions, and forgings, as well as Alcoa® wheels, fastening systems, precision and investment castings, and building systems in addition to its expertise in other light metals such as titanium and nickel-based super alloys. Sustainability is an integral part of Alcoa’s operating practices and the product design and engineering it provides to customers. Alcoa has been a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for 10 consecutive years and approximately 75 percent of all of the aluminum ever produced since 1888 is still in active use today. Alcoa employs approximately 59,000 people in 31 countries across the world. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.
About Alcoa Foundation
Alcoa Foundation is one of the largest corporate foundations in the U.S., with assets of approximately US$436 million. Founded more than 50 years ago, Alcoa Foundation has invested more than US$530 million since 1952. In 2010, Alcoa Foundation contributed nearly US$20 million to nonprofit organizations throughout the world, focusing on promoting environmental stewardship, enabling economic and social sustainability, and preparing tomorrow’s leaders through education and learning. The work of Alcoa Foundation is further enhanced by Alcoa’s thousands of employee volunteers, who in 2010 gave more than 720,000 service hours. Through the company’s signature Month of Service (October) program, Alcoa employees share their energy, passion and purpose to make a difference in our communities. In 2010, a record 49 percent of Alcoans took part in nearly 1,000 Month of Service events across 24 countries, reaching 59,000 children, serving 17,000 meals, planting 16,000 trees and supporting 3,000 nonprofit organizations. For more information about Alcoa Foundation, please access www.alcoa.com/foundation.