Page 21 - Suncor 360 - Summer 2016

“THERE’S NO PLAYBOOK FOR THIS SCALE
OF DISASTER”
– Russell Thomas, director of communications and community impact for the
United Way of Fort McMurray
“It was important to have a coordinated approach so we didn’t duplicate efforts,” says Brandi Gartner, Aboriginal community relations director, OSCA. “With the support of Suncor and our other members, we set up a process where companies would let us know if they received requests. Then we could connect in with governments and the Red Cross to determine who would
be responding. It was really impressive how everyone came together, and how quickly we were able to respond to requests as an industry.”
At the same time, Suncor’s community investment (CI) and Suncor Energy Foundation (SEF) team stepped in to provide an initial donation of $150,000
to the Canadian Red Cross to help with immediate response needs. A Petro-Points match program was announced, gas cards were provided to various non-pro ts assisting with relief efforts, and Petro- Canada retail stations in Alberta accepted Red Cross fuel vouchers from evacuees.
The SunCares Humanitarian Grant program was also launched, with Suncor team members from as close as Fort McMurray to as far away as Scotland and Norway opening their hearts and wallets to support those affected by the disaster.
The result was an astounding $547,000 contributed by employees, leaders, contractors, retirees and Suncor’s board of directors to the Canadian Red Cross and the United Way of Fort McMurray. This support was 3.5 times higher than that of any other SunCares Humanitarian Grant program. Additionally, SEF matched the donations for a total contribution of $1.094 million.
“There’s no playbook for this scale of disaster,” says Russell Thomas, director of communications and community impact for the United Way of Fort McMurray. “The support we’ve received from Suncor team members will help charities and non-pro t organizations deliver much needed programs and services in the days and months ahead, including mental health, children and youth programs, and seniors care to name a few.”
Learning from the Calgary oods in 2013, the CI team also immediately established a Funders Circle. The Circle brings together community organizations, the municipality and funders to map out current and
HOW OUR SUPPORT STACKED UP
• More than 1,700 employee donations supported the Wood Buffalo re relief efforts.
• Employees from across our operations made donations including those in the U.S., Norway and Scotland.
• More than 400 employees accessed the SunCares Humanitarian Relief Grant the rst day
it opened.
• Petro-Points members donated over 2 million Petro-Points.
long-term needs, and consider how they can best be supported.
“When disasters occur, it’s important to consider not only the immediate needs of a community but how we can come together with others to support re-entry and recovery efforts,” re ects Kim Nordbye, manager, community investment at Suncor.
And this is how our support continues today – working together with community leaders, government and industry as the Wood Buffalo community looks to the future.
Keith Mann, manager, ight operations, and the whole SunJet ight crew came to the rescue of more than 100 pets. Once given authority, crews loaded the planes with dogs, cats, ferrets, a chinchilla and a tree frog.
Russell Thomas, far right, says our donations will help the United Way deliver critical programming in the months ahead.
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