Volunteerism

Gary O’Keefe, ACC purchasing manager, says the level of community involvement is unlike anything he’s ever experienced before. "Sure, I did some volunteer work and made donations before I came to work here 10 years ago. But when you get involved in the culture of volunteerism here, you end up working with people you wouldn’t normally get to know – people from other areas of the company, but also people outside the company from many different walks of life and circumstances. And you get to know them in a different way. It gives you a real different perspective and an appreciation that people aren’t maybe what you perceive them to be." O’Keefe is also the leader of ACC’s support for The Mustard Seed in Calgary. One evening each month for the past five years Gary has purchased the food then organised a team of 8 employees to prepare and serve over 500 meals to the homeless at the Mustard Seed.

Having every employee as well as many of the company’s vendors and customers actively engaged in fundraising is an enormous feat. ACC’s key to success is in providing simple but meaningful opportunities that resonate with each individual. ACC’s diverse workforce, many of whom speak English as a second language, all participate enthusiastically through the donation programs as well as through casual team-oriented volunteer events. "It’s also due in large part to the leadership here setting a strong example," says O’Keefe.

“It gives you a real different perspective and an appreciation that people aren’t maybe what you perceive them to be."