The presentation was recently made to the organization at the Calhoun plant.
“The reason for our meeting today is we have met a milestone of 250,000 hours in safety and when we do that our corporate office gives us money to donate to charity to charitable organizations,” said Darly Donavant, chairman of the Communication Incentive and Awareness committee.
The committee keeps employees informed about safety procedures and ways to stay safe on the job.
The company is not required to donate the money, but decided about three years ago that this is what it wanted to do.
Where the money goes is decided by the employees.
“Their performance is why we are here today,” Vice President Joe Vaughn said.
Gary Harris of the Tennessee Valley Authority said the employees could have chosen to spend the money on company-customized jackets or hats, but instead they donate it to charitable organizations.
Alan Winter, a board member for Family Promise, and interim director Nancy Sharo were present to receive the donation.
Family Promise will also be receiving $500 from TVA in a partial matching donation
“TVA partners with us on our donations and we are very thankful for that,” Donavant said.
Winter said the organization works with families that are homeless and trying to rebuild their lives. Through partnerships with local churches the organization uses church classrooms as a place for homeless families to stay during the week.
“We probably have 10 to 13 churches involved,” Winter said.
Church partners rotate hosting. Each church hosts for one week at a time.
A day center provides the families with computer access and other services.
“We’re connected with all the other agencies in the area ... anyone who can help them and get them on their feet,” Sharo said. “We’re excited about seeing this grow and watching it progress.”
Transportation for parents looking for a job is also provided. Family Promise of Bradley County has been up and running for about a year.
“It takes about 2,000 volunteer hours to keep the family in the church for one week,” Sharo said.
Resolute Forest Service also made a donation to the Good Fellows group formed by employees. Between the Resolute and TVA donations, Good Fellows received $3,500.
“Good Fellows was started about a year after the plant opened,” Rodney Urban, representing Good Fellows, said.
The fund has been able to help co-workers in times of crisis.
“Each employee that participates here gives a minimum of $2 a month,” Urban said.
The group also delivers food baskets and coats between Thanksgiving and December to those in need.
“Last year, we gave out 375 food baskets,” Urban said. The group’s food baskets cost about $80 each to fill.
