Mount Polley Mine is currently in its second fundraising campaign for United Way.
After a successful first year in which the operation was recognized as the “Rookie of the Year” for raising the most funds for a first-year campaign in the region, Mount Polley is looking to improve upon the program of a year ago.
With this goal in mind, this year Mount Polley has hosted two mine-wide burger sales for their employees as fundraisers to complement the funds raised through employee donations. In order to accommodate all four shift rotations, this has meant eight burger sales in all, with the events turning into a bit of a friendly competition between the crews.
With three barbecues flaming at once, general foreman Dave Carpenter has flipped more than 1,600 burgers, and receptionist Bonnie Rolston has co-ordinated a team of volunteers; making sure that all the burger fixings are stocked up, and that the sales are successful.
With all the food costs being generously covered by Mount Polley Mining Corporation, all proceeds from the sales go directly to United Way. In March, Mount Polley raised just over $3,700 and July sales were just shy of $3,900.
Luke Moger, United Way Williams Lake Community Impact Council member and mining engineer at Mount Polley, reflects on the success of the fundraising event: “Five dollars gets you a burger, a bag of chips, and a cold drink. This is a great deal and a nice change from the regular bag lunch we usually bring –— all in the name of a good cause.”
With a total of $7,627.51 raised for United Way through burger sales so far in 2011, Mount Polley intends to continue with the events.