WHEN it comes to the size of employers in the region, there is no doubt that Tomago Aluminum is one of the largest.

The organization is one that has plenty of heart and supports local groups as well as their teams.

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In recent weeks Tomago Aluminium employees have banded together and donated $143,000 to local charities.

Recent changes to the workplace giving program have resulted in Tomago Aluminium’s Workplace Giving Program receiving two award wins in the national Workplace Giving Excellence Awards.

The Workplace Giving Program has donated $143,000 to local charities with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and four other groups set for a financial windfall.

From a record pool of $143,000, the helicopter rescue service received $75,000 and the remaining $68,000 will be split between four local charities – Ronald McDonald House, Survivor’s R Us, Cancer Research (HMRI) and Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary.

The charities were chosen by Tomago employees as part of the Workplace Giving Program’s annual charity support campaign which this year raised significantly more than the previous year’s thanks to the changes, with a corresponding 15 percent increase in the average donation amount.

The campaign was also strongly supported by Tomago’s management, which this year generously donated an additional $25,000 to the fund.

Commenting on the generosity of Tomago Aluminium’s employees, company Chief Executive Officer, Matt Howell, said the employee-led initiative reflected the importance of giving back to the community to the Tomago workforce.

“Despite a challenging year, our employees still managed to dig deep, coming together to support the less fortunate and that is always something we will support,” Matt said.

The effort that went into the relaunch did not go unnoticed.

Late last year the Tomago Workplace Giving Fund won gold in the ‘Best Launch or Refresh’ category of the highly-respected Workplace Giving Excellence Awards and was awarded bronze for the Best Overall campaign.

“When new employees start at Tomago they are joining a company that has a culture of giving back to the community so it is our policy now that they are automatically signed up as members,” Wayne said.

“Through our Workplace Giving Program, which was generously supported by our management team, we’ve been able to give to so many worthwhile groups in the Hunter,” Katie Burns said.

“We are part of a great community and we like adding to that community spirit,” she said.

Wayne Pringle, Katie Burns and members of the smelter’s management team personally visited Ronald McDonald House, Survivor’s R Us, Cancer Research (HMRI) and Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary to distribute the $68,000 split between each organisation.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter team visited the Tomago smelter to receive their cheque for $75,000 at a special morning tea, giving program members and Tomago employees a chance to hear firsthand how their money is being spent to help save lives.

Tomago Aluminium employees and management have been heavily involved with charity work since 1985, raising over $2 million for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service and dozens of Hunter-based charities.

By Marian SAMPSON