Contributing to the communities where they live and work is a hallmark of the people of ATCO.

By developing meaningful partnerships with not-for-profit organizations and giving their time and expertise, as well as financial support, ATCO and its employees are doing their part to help create healthy, vibrant communities wherever they do business. The impact is especially significant in Alberta, ATCO’s home province.

ATCO and its employees have pledged to give $3.1 million in 2011 to more than 500 charitable organizations through ATCO’s EPIC (Employees Participating in Communities) initiative.

“ATCO employees continue to support hundreds of Alberta charities and community service organizations – through payroll deductions and as community volunteers,” said Siegfried Kiefer, Managing Director, Utilities. “Our approach focuses on community needs supported by employees’ designating their personal charitable donations and volunteering in the communities where they work and live.”

Every year, ATCO employees organize and carry out workplace fundraising campaigns throughout the province. Through each campaign, employees donate to registered health and wellness organizations, charities in their community and through the ATCO Matching Program the company increases the impact of employees' charitable giving.

As part of the ATCO EPIC Time to Give program, ATCO employees volunteered more than 34,000 hours of their own time in 2010. For employees who volunteer 50 hours or more, ATCO provides a $150 donation to the charity of their choice.

In 2010, ATCO Gas and ATCO Electric partnered with the towns of Claresholm and Stettler to host Community Symposiums on effective strategies for attracting and retaining the next generation of leaders, employees, volunteers and funders.