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PPG has announced that, in the first year of the company’s regional Charity Partner programme, the company joined with employees across 12 countries and more than 60 PPG sites in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region to support selected charities with more than US$110,000 in total. The programme, launched in February 2016, supports the interests and passions of employees who donate their time, money and expertise to build better communities by providing corporate matching for charitable contributions and fundraising.
During 2016, employees in the region selected 24 Charity Partner organisations and raised more than US$55,000 to support these partners’ initiatives. PPG then matched those donations for a total donation exceeding US$110,000, which helps the organisations to tackle a wide range of social and health issues in EMEA communities where PPG employees work and live.
"The programme encourages PPG employees to work together to create a lasting and positive impact in our global communities,” explained Ken Armistead, Director, Corporate Communications, EMEA. "In addition to raising much-needed funds to support community initiatives, the programme has enhanced PPG’s relationships in local communities and strengthened bonds between employees.”
The Charity Partner programme empowers employees at each EMEA site to select one eligible organisation that they can collectively support through direct donations, fundraising activities or volunteer projects for one year. PPG matches donations after employees raise US$500, up to a maximum match of US$10,000. Multiple sites also can work together to raise funds for a common Charity Partner organisation.
In 2016, teams worked together to raise funds for addressing health and wellness issues, and for increasing awareness of social issues such as poverty. Creative fundraising projects included an employee painting workshop; flower, jewellery and bake sales; charity runs and bicycle rides; sports tournaments; quiz competitions; and many other events.
As the Charity Partner programme enters its second year, Armistead said programme organisers expect more EMEA sites to join the effort, while existing sites look to switch partner organisations or to deepen relationships with their chosen charity.
In addition to the Charity Partner programme, PPG also supports local organisations in the EMEA region through its community engagement grant-making programme and the Coloful Communities initiative.
The Colorful Communities programme is PPG’s signature initiative for community engagement efforts, with the aim to protect and beautify the neighbourhoods where PPG operates around the world. The programme increases PPG’s commitment to invest in communities and supports projects that transform community assets, providing PPG volunteers and donated PPG products. In 2015 and 2016 combined, PPG completed nearly 60 Colorful Communities projects and it expects to complete about 75 more this year.
