Co-op Week a huge success

December 18, 2009

It’s a popular week at Gay Lea Foods - full of ‘fun’-draising activities for our international development projects.

Affectionately called ‘Co-op Week,’ year after year, employees at all locations are asked to generously participate. And, year after year, it’s the same – they respond with resounding enthusiasm, knowing that the money they raise will help the less fortunate.

The proceeds go to very worthy causes. In Nepal, we built three classrooms and equipped them with brand new furniture. In El Salvador, we provided funding to help youth co-operatives improve growing conditions and achieve higher yields. In Ghana, we supported credit union development and microfinance for farmers’ co-operatives.

Employees have worked hard to find activities that bring fun and much laughter. But somehow this year, they were exceptionally creative! Among the daily events, a few stood out. At Ivanhoe, employees competed to beat plant manager Dave Toop at hammering a nail into a two-by-four. In Guelph, employees made a contribution to throw pies at plant managers Mario DiCunto and Brad Cuyler. Longlife’s popular potluck meals draw employees from all GTA locations; the menu is a delightful combination of dishes from around the world. Clayson’s bottle toss brings life for a short while to an otherwise very quiet warehouse. At Teeswater, the 50-50 was a really great draw! The waffle breakfast is timed to coincide with the November board of directors meeting; the directors joined Orbitor employees for a delicious breakfast! 

At the end of the week, the results were very positive. Between the activities, payroll deductions, silent auction, and director and delegate contributions, an amazing $73,600 was raised. These monies will be dedicated to new projects right here at home, in the Canadian Arctic!

 

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