Alex Saliwanchik, La Porte High School
There are many groups, businesses and community organizations that do wonderful things in LaPorte. A lot of families need clothing and food. This is where these volunteers come into play.
A business that doesn't get recognized for their great community service actions is Alcoa Howmet LaPorte.
Alcoa believes in helping the community through employee involvement. These employees go over and beyond for their volunteer services.
HR manager Tera Grinnell said, "The volunteering that my co-workers and I do is amazing. We love being involved in the community and helping whenever possible. Doing community service makes me feel really good about myself and keeps me involved with my community."
October is the month of service. Alcoa participates in many activities that benefit the needy in LaPorte.
During the month of October, employees collect food for the LaPorte Salvation Army food bank. They bring in nonperishable canned foods to donate and help the people in need of food.
Usually taking place on a Saturday, Alcoa employees also volunteer to help the Habitat for Humanity Organization. Tons of people come and help build homes for the people who are in need of somewhere to live. This is a huge helping-hand in the community.
"The work and heart that Alcoa does is unbelievable. Most businesses don't help build houses for the needy. Alcoa's employees are the most dedicated and hardworking people that have volunteered in this community as a team. They work together to make a difference," said senior Danny Schellinger.
The month of October is also breast cancer awareness month. Alcoa volunteers in the LaPorte Slicers' Dig Pink Volleyball Tournament by selling pink coolers and Dig Pink Christmas ornaments. This helps raise money to donate to the Side-Out Foundation which raises money for people who have had or has breast cancer. The money also goes towards the LaPorte Volleyball expenses that were for the tournament. Either way they are helping raise money for a terrific cause.
The last good deed that Alcoa does in October is the Goodwill drive. The employees collect lightly used clothing and household goods for the whole month. At the end, a couple volunteers will bring their collection to the store to donate from Alcoa.
Metallurgical tech Marcia Wheeler said, "I love participating in donating my lightly used clothing and household goods to Goodwill. It is a great opportunity for me and my family to give back to the community. It also helps out the needy when our whole business comes together to donate."
Throughout the year, Alcoa also raises funds for the Jaycee's Shopping Tour. By the end of one year, they come up with a massive amount of funds to donate.
Leading up to Christmas, every year the employees put together a toy drive for the Marine Corps for Toys for Tots.
Alcoa Howmet is a business that doesn't get recognized for their tremendous volunteering in the community. This business puts a lot of work and effort into helping people in need which makes a huge difference in LaPorte.
