NORTHAMPTON, MA (News release) -- Sappi North America, Inc., a leading producer and supplier of diversified paper, packaging products and pulp, announced the winners of its 2023 Employee Ideas that Matter (EITM) grant program, donating up to $50,000 to causes that are important to employees in the environmental, healthcare, educational and community-centric spaces.
Inspired by over two decades of success from its Ideas that Matter (ITM) grant program - the only operation of its kind in the paper and packaging industry - Sappi established EITM in 2016. The annual program recognizes and supports volunteering efforts of employees for nonprofit organizations in their communities through direct funding. Employees are encouraged to nominate charity projects that benefit their communities to a panel of judges composed of senior leadership.
"We believe in creating a thriving, sustainable world for everyone. The EITM program has allowed employees at all levels to take an active role in driving our mission of positive social impact forward," said Patti Groh, Director of Communications, Sappi North America. "It's an extension of Sappi's overarching commitment to social responsibility and giving back directly to our local communities."
This year, the program reached many milestones. It was selected as a winner in the category of Community Service and Corporate Social Responsibility in the Communitas Awards for providing direct funding to over 67 local nonprofit causes, and since 2018, employee participation has increased over 118%. Additionally, its pioneer program, Ideas that Matter, earned Gold in the 2023 MUSE Awards for Corporate Social Responsibility.
2023 EITM winners include the following:
Brian Freyermuth, Boston, MA
Sippican Lands Trust
Brian's project supported building a parking lot and trail system to allow greater access to protected outdoor properties for the public and improve existing trails to allow for handicapped access and safety of children.
Lynne Palmer, Technology Center, ME
Michael T. Goulet TBI and Epilepsy Foundation
Lynn's initiative helped purchase multi-sport helmets for Westbrook Kids Safety Day event to demonstrate proper use of helmets and raise awareness of traumatic brain injuries.
Dan Menor, Cloquet Mill, MN
CHUM
Dan supported the Annual CHUM Rhubarb Festival, the main fundraiser for CHUM, a nonprofit that provides support for people experiencing homelessness, poverty and marginalization within the Duluth, MN area.
Eddie Ouedraogo, Matane Mill, Quebec
Mission Saint Laurent
Eddie's grant helped Mission Saint Laurent provide food service, transportation and patient visits for underserved community members in Matane.
Line Simard, Matane Mill, Quebec
Les Phoenix
Line's initiative supported Les Phoenix, a local sports club, to help underserved families and their children participate in organized sports that were not accessible in their local towns.
Brett Patten, Somerset Mill, ME
St. Albans Volunteer Fire Department
Brett's funds were utilized to help the St. Albans Volunteer Fire Department, a local 100% volunteer-run fire department that serves the community in and around St. Albans, ME to purchase a new pump for a firetruck.
Ethan Olson, Wood Procurement, ME
SeedTree
Ethan supported SeedTree, a non-profit located in Nepal, in their efforts to visit villages and complete participatory surveys to better understand how the organization could help the area. The goal was to install a research/production tree orchard at the Nepal Agriculture and Forestry University.
Matthew Howard, Somerset Mill, ME
Fairfield Interfaith Food Pantry
Matthew's grant helped install outdoor lighting in the parking lot of the community Fairfield Interfaith Food Pantry to ensure the safety of clients and volunteer staff, especially in the winter.
Katherine Haynes, South Portland, ME
Preble Street
Katherine enabled Preble Street Teen Services to underwrite costs associated with traditional and nontraditional mental health services for youth experiencing homelessness.
Lisa Graves, Technology Center, ME
Pink Feather Foundation
Lisa's grant helped Pink Feather Foundation, a non-profit that confidentially provides students clothing and accessories at no cost, to purchase clothing racks with wheels to allow easier access for photography and storage.
James Nicolantonio, Westbrook Mill, ME
Project Blessing
James' initiative helped purchase blankets, utensils and other home goods for people experiencing homelessness to ease their transition back into housing through the Project Blessing organization.
Jason Leach, Westbrook Mill, ME
Wilderness Response Team
Jason's project funded training and purchase of equipment for the Wilderness Response Team, a volunteer-run nonprofit that serves the people of Maine by providing search, technical rescue and medical services in wilderness areas across the state.
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