There is no secret about the fact that, when it comes to supporting local charities, Tomago employees are very generous folk with many choosing to take part in the ‘Out of Pay Donation Scheme’.
The program started back in 1993 with employees agreeing to have a few dollars a year deducted from their salaries by payroll and donated to charities chosen by popular vote.
Essentially, they opted-in to a program that effectively spreads the joy between the groups most in need by alternating between charities, helping four small and two larger (but still local) charities in alternating years.
The level of support is boosted by the company, which matches the amount donated by the employees. Tomago Aluminium management made the decision to match the employee contributions in 1998 and adding a solid boost to the amount of community involvement.
The charities are effectively chosen by those making the donations, too. Each year employees nominate their favourite charities and the nominations are submitted to a panel, which puts together a short list so that everyone taking part can have a final vote.
The WO16-2017 chosen charities were The Mark Hughes Foundation and Variety, The Children’s’ Charity. Both organisations were overwhelmed with the amount of support from Tomago and were over the moon when presented with cheques for more than $23,513.
Mark Hughes was on site on Friday, July 14 for a special morning tea at which he was presented with his cheque and his thanks to Tomago employees was heartfelt.
Some $4000 was raised at the morning tea alone and, coupled with the Out of Pay Donation money, will not only go towards research into a cure for brain cancer but also to providing support staff to help patients and their families.
Variety was also thrilled with its donation and has plans to put the money towards a specially-equipped Sunshine Coach that will be used to transport kids living with disabilities, chronic illness or financial hardship in the Newcastle region. Some of it will also be used for the Variety Kids Christmas Party and McDonald Jones Stadium on November 15.
The coach will carry branding for both Variety and Tomago Aluminium so employees can keep a look out for it around Newcastle.
For more information about both charities, visit their websites. The mark Hughes Foundation can be found at: www.facebook.com/markhughesfou… and variety at: www.variety.org.au
