In 2017, Sherritt’s Fort Site implemented the Spirit of Sherritt program, which is composed of two initiatives: the Giving Program and the Volunteer Program.
The Giving Program allows employees to apply for a $250 donation to a charity for which they have volunteered a minimum of 40 hours of their personal time. The Volunteer Program allows eligible employees to use a maximum of one work day per year to volunteer during work hours. A number of criteria must be satisfied in order to qualify, and exclusions exist for individuals, religious or political organizations or activities, and for-profit initiatives, for example.
Over the course of the year, Sherritt’s Fort Site donated $3,000 in recognition of employees who volunteered 1,608 hours of their own time to non-profit and charitable causes in their local communities (outside of work hours), and 96 hours of company time. Examples of places employees volunteered in 2017 include: youth sports, learning for people with disabilities, the local humane society and Habitat for Humanity. Employees have been supportive of the program. “When I heard that Sherritt was doing this program, I was as proud of my company as I have ever been,” said Mark Armstrong, Maintenance. “I give both my personal time and money to do what I can and it makes me so proud to know that my company supports me in my efforts. Sherritt has been good to me and I really feel it is a company that cares about its employees and communities.”