Michigan community, employee partnerships make a difference
From left, Enbridge’s St. Ignace PLM supervisor Joe Calcaterra and community ambassador Rene Halberg hand out gas cards on Oct. 26 in Lewiston, MI.
Gas card giveaway in Lewiston, MI
Nov. 1, 2023
Tutoring and mentoring. Dedicating time to area food banks. Supporting Michigan’s 120 volunteer fire companies. Gas card and food giveaways. These are all tangible ways that Michiganders are giving back and volunteering year-round.
While Michiganders are used to making a difference all year, Oct. 28 marked National Make a Difference Day. Established in 1992 by USA Weekend magazine in partnership with the nonprofit organization Points of Light, the annual event is dedicated to reminding people to make a positive impact on their communities.
While the day is celebrated the fourth Saturday in October, some people use it as a kickstart to help people leading into the fall and winter holidays.
Making a positive difference is something to which Enbridge employees can relate.
On Oct. 26, in Lewiston, MI, eight Enbridge employees distributed more than 330 gift cards, with a value of $25 each, to motorists. The Paddling Pig also gave away 200 sandwiches. The event to help the community was a joint effort of The Paddling Pig, Marathon/J&H Oil, radio station Big Country 102.9 WMKC, and Enbridge.
“We enjoyed meeting people, and many were genuinely grateful,” said Lauren Brown, an Enbridge community relations advisor who attended the event.
"Simple gestures can have a big impact on a person.”
—Lauren Brown, Enbridge’s community engagement manager in northern Michigan
Michigan support is part of a much bigger, overall effort
Through the Enbridge Fueling Futures program, employees participate in their communities through a host of volunteer activities. To enhance their impact, the Enbridge Fueling Futures program offers employees up to $5,000 in matching funds per year for any combination of hours volunteered, special grants or funds donated.
“We believe strongly in being a good neighbor,” said Candice Braddock, Enbridge senior community engagement advisor, who like Brown, is based in Michigan.
“Our team members boost their positive impacts in a number of ways,” said Braddock, “including employee-matched donations, earning funds for organizations with which they volunteer, paid time off to volunteer and applying for grants to support projects in their respective community.”
“Our team members boost their positive impacts in a number of ways.”
—Candice Braddock, Enbridge senior community engagement advisor
In 2022, employees and Enbridge contributed nearly $5.5 million to approximately 2,100 employee-designated causes and logged more than 53,000 volunteer hours for the U.S. and Canada.
Enbridge workers keep energy flowing for Michigan
There are other ways Enbridge employees are meeting the essential needs of the region. They monitor and maintain the Line 5 in the Straits of Mackinac to help ensure the pipelines safely transport the natural gas liquids and crude oil that fuel transportation, provide heat and contribute to the manufacture of thousands of everyday products.
“We are committed to making a meaningful difference,” said Brown. “Whether it is keeping the heat on for homeowners and businesses, via Line 5, or just lending a helping hand. I am a Michigander. That’s what we do.”
For additional information, visit the National Make a Difference Day website or or Enbridge’s Fueling Futures employee volunteering and giving program on our website.
