Canadian Natural Employee Matching Program Donates over $160K to Local Groups

Canadian Natural’s local Employee Field Matching Donation Program has raised $169, 129.42 for 10 Lakeland non-profit organizations. The nearly $170 thousand came from two divisions of Canadian Natural, Bonnyville Heavy Oil $88, 050.52 and Wolf Lake $81,079. The Bonnyville Heavy Oil was able to help six non-profits with donations of $14, 675.07 each and Wolf Lake aided four non-profits with donations of $20, 182 (one organization received $$20, 532)

Bonnyville Heavy Oil Recipients:

• Elk Point Skating Club
• St Paul Boys and Girls Club
• Islay Health Centre Auxiliary
• Bonnyville Amateur Football Association
• Bonnyville Play & Learn Society
• Rednecks with a Cause

Elk Point Figure Skating Club

Bonnyville Play & Learn Child Care Society

Bonnyville Amateur Football Association

St. Paul Boys & Girls Club

Bonnyville Amateur Football Association

Islay Health Care Auxilary

Islay Health Care Auxiliary

Rednecks with a Cause

Wolf Lake Recipients:

• Haying in the 30’s
• Lakeland Humane Society
• Bonnyville & District SPCA
• Margaret Savage Crisis Centre

Wolf Lake Recipients Left to Right: BACK- Dr. Margaret Savage Crisis Centre, Bonnyville & District SPCA, FRONT- Hayin’ in the 30’s, Lakeland Humane Society

In 2005, Canadian Natural approved the new matching donation program, which provides direct funding to local non-profit organizations in our communities that target Health and Wellness, Youth Initiatives and Education. This program is in addition to Canadian Natural’s ongoing community and capital donation programs.

At the beginning of the year, non-profit organizations submit their application, which are then reviewed and voted on by employees. Stakeholder relations adviser, Carrie Baumgardner explains, “several fundraisers are held throughout the year such as hockey pools, BBQs, golf tournament, and the fundraiser dinner. Funds donated by employees are matched 100% by Canadian Natural.” Local service providers and businesses are also a big supporter of the program and have been gracious over the years with their contributions, allowing the committee to raise more funds.

The program has grown a lot over the past decade, Baumgardner says, “2015 marked the 10^th year of the program with over $800,000 raised for the Bonnyville Heavy Oil region in that time span. Together with the Primrose field office (who also contributes to Lakeland organizations) approx. 1.5M has been raised in 10 years.” The 2015 committee was made up of 17 dedicated Canadian Natural employees.

There have been many organizations supported throughout the Bonnyville Heavy Oil region over the 10 years.  Specific to Elk Point and St. Paul the following below were past recipients of this particular program.

Previous Elk Point recipients:

• Elk Point F.G. Miller High School
• Elk Point Palliative Care
• Elk Point Elementary School
• Elk Point Heritage Lodge
• Elk Point Special Education
• Elk Point Victim Services

Previous St. Paul recipients:

• St. Paul Kidsport
• St. Therese St. Paul Healthcare Centre
• St. Paul Soccer Association
• St. Paul Silhouette School of Dance
• St. Paul Community Arena Association
• St. Paul Splash Park

As for the Wolf Lake program, Baumgardner says it’s ran much the same as the Bonnyville Heavy Oil one, “Wolf Lake and Bonnyville share in the work and split costs from the annual fundraiser dinner (formerly the “Steak and Shrimp” in October), other than that all activities are separate.  They also host BBQs, use dollars from their vending machines, and other activities. Typically Wolf Lake votes in the same organizations where Bonnyville changes annually. 2015 also marked the 10^th year of the program with over $600,000 raised from the Wolf Lake office in that time span.”