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.

From Taber to High Level and from Lloydminster to Jasper, more than 500 charitable organizations benefited from more than $2.97 million pledged in 2010 through ATCO’s EPIC (Employees Participating in Communities) initiatives.

“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, more than 180 employees volunteered approximately 31,000 hours of their own time. For employees who volunteer 50 hours or more, ATCO provides a $150 donation to the charity of their choice.

In 2009, ATCO Gas and ATCO Electric partnered with the Town of Vermillion to host the 9th Annual Community Symposium, on effective strategies for attracting and retaining the next generation of leaders, employees, volunteers and funders.

ATCO Structures & Logistics staff in Calgary have assisted organizations like the Mustard Seed Street Ministry, a non-profit humanitarian organization providing support to the homeless. Staff undertook a community initiative to raise money to complete renovations to the kitchen and dining facilities at the Mustard Seed. ATCO Structures & Logistics employees raised funds to paint the 5,000 square foot room over two days. They also returned the following week to prepare a meal for nearly 600 guests, using the remaining funds raised for the project.

ATCO Midstream provided sponsorships for a variety of community initiatives such as crime watch programs, schools, sporting activities, and community landscaping projects. For the seventh year running, the company received the United Way Platinum award of excellence in recognition of top-level employee participation in its donations program.