We actively invest in the communities where our employees live and work. By donating to organizations who are dedicated to making a difference, we can help improve the quality of life for those living in the areas surrounding our facilities.
Our employees volunteered at The Inn of the Good Shepherd in Sarnia, Ontario, in a “soup kitchen takeover” where they helped serve over 500 meals to those in need in the local community. We followed up our day of service with a CAD $50,000 donation to The Inn in recognition of completing NOVA’s new Rokeby Site polyethylene facility. The Inn provides services to individuals in need including the soup kitchen, a food bank, shelters and mobile markets.
The financial contribution and the kitchen takeover mean that 7,500 meals will be gifted to the Sarnia-Lambton community, reflecting the approximately 7,500 individuals who helped build and commission NOVA’s second Advanced SCLAIRTECHTM (AST) polyethylene facility. The new Rokeby Site represents an over CAD $2 billion investment with a capacity of approximately one billion pounds of polyethylene to be delivered to market per year. AST technology enables development of high-performance products including fully recyclable, mono-material packaging for sustainability-focused end markets.
“We firmly believe in the importance of creating sustainable and thriving communities, and we are pleased to have the opportunity to give back to our neighbours in a meaningful way,” said Rob Thompson, NOVA Chemicals’ VP of Manufacturing East. “This project has been a significant undertaking for NOVA and we are grateful for the tremendous efforts that have been put forward by our talented and dedicated construction and commissioning teams over the past several years. These efforts have not simply supported our company, they have contributed to the economic strength and resilience of our surrounding community and to be able to recognize this contribution is extremely rewarding.”
Throughout the month of June, our teams in the US and Canada supported their Ontario colleagues by delivering meal kits and participated in other volunteer activities in recognition of the Rokeby Site workforce. NOVA Chemicals also donated one additional meal to The Inn for every employee who used the hashtag #NOVAGivesBack on LinkedIn.
“Great things can be accomplished when we work together, whether it’s building a plant, creating jobs, or feeding our community,” explained Myles Vanni, Executive Director of The Inn of the Good Shepherd said. “We at The Inn are so grateful to NOVA Chemicals and their leadership in the Sarnia-Lambton region and we are honored for this opportunity to partner with them as caring hands for our community members in need.”
NOVA Chemicals has partnered with The Inn for decades, serving meals, volunteering time and labor, and monetary donations. We have contributed over CAD $160,000 since the growth project was announced in 2018.