News

PCA Edmore...Making a Difference Beyond the Box
November 30, 2007

PCA has been an advocate of promoting the well being of our employees by maintaining a balance between work and family. Our facilities host a variety of events for both our employees and their families including health fairs, open houses, picnics, and sponsoring local sports teams. This allows our employees to spend time with their co-workers and truly connect the workplace with the local community.

At our facility in Edmore, Michigan, they have taken this concept outside the box! They did not wait for their plant management to organize these events. A group of Operational Associates formed the “Outside the Box” committee. Their goal is to continue to nurture the “work family” while making a difference in the community. They meet on a monthly basis, and more often when a big event is scheduled. The committee now has nine active volunteers, which includes both Operational Associates and Staff.

All funds used to promote the activities of this group are raised through bake sales, pop bottle returns, and other special events such as cookouts and bratwurst/chili dog sales. Recent projects include the publication of an employee cookbook, promotion of the 2007 Toys for Tots Drive and the annual employee Holiday party. The success of these events is dependent not only on the efforts of the committee members but the organization as a whole. The Edmore employees provide support by participating in these fundraisers, which in turn provides the committee with the financial resources to support various causes.

The criteria for determining which individuals or causes to support are decided on an evolving basis. The committee seeks to sponsor individuals who are going through extreme hardship, facing life-changing situations, or are presented with once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for which they need support. Supporting a family who was in financial distress or sponsoring the grandchild of an employee who was part of the People to People Ambassador Program has helped them to create a community spirit within the workplace. The employees also actively participate in the local Annual Potato Festival Parade by building a float. They walk beside the float and distribute boxes with small gifts and candy to the local children. Donations have also been made to Hurricane Katrina victims and the annual Toys for Tots Drive.

Whatever the need, whether closer to home for a fellow employee/member of the local community or at the national level, the Edmore plant finds a way to help support the cause. They are truly an inspiration on how a small group of people in a small Mid-western town can reach out to make this world a better place!