The power of many through SunCares

For Maria McLean, helping out with the Fort McMurray Minor Baseball Association, is an important way to give back to her community. Maria, Asset Information Management Manager, Oil Sands, was one of many employees who volunteered over 100,000 hours within their communities in 2023. “There are many ways to give back to the community. For me it’s all about doing whatever it is that I can contribute, big or small, to make lasting impacts on communities,” says Maria. “What excites me the most is witnessing an employee's passion for helping others.”  

A look back at 2023

Last year, Suncor employees volunteered over 107,000 hours and donated more than 5.9 million dollars, supporting 2,742 community organizations through SunCares, our employee giving program. These causes and organizations ranged from minor hockey programs and little leagues to hospitals and mental health associations, United Way campaigns and the Canadian Red Cross.

Two employees wearing SunCares shirts at the Food Bank. — Two Edmonton Suncor employees participating at the Edmonton Food Bank.

The regional SunCares Community Giving Networks (SCGNs) also came together to find ways to support their communities. Here are a few examples:

The East Coast SCGN held its first St. Patrick's Day Slow Cooker Cook Off, raising over $1,200 for Association for New Canadians NL.
The Calgary SCGN held its first holiday candy grams, raising over $1,670 for the Petro-Canada CareMakers Foundation while spreading seasonal joy.
The Wood Buffalo Base Plant SCGN hosted a bake sale raising over $3,200 in support of the Northern Lights Health Foundation.
The Edmonton SCGN volunteered at the Edmonton Food Bank to reconnect and rebuild as a team while helping the community.

A group of employees wearing SunCares shirts at the Food Bank holding Food Bank signs. — The Edmonton SunCares Community Giving Network participating at the Edmonton Food Bank.

Looking ahead

It’s great to see how Suncor employees contributed to their communities, and now 2024 is already shaping up to be one full of opportunity.

As operator of Syncrude, Syncrude workers are part of Suncor’s SunCares employee giving program. Maria, a Syncrude legacy employee, highlights the importance of being involved in the community to create change, “I’m looking forward to participating in SunCares and supporting the organizations that matter to me — whether you’re donating money or volunteering your time, you can make a big difference.”

All employees are automatically set up with a SunCares account and can earn up to $2,000 a year through volunteering and $2,000 a year in donation matching through SunCares.

Supporting the cause you care about

Everyone has a different story and contributions to make. Marc Whelan, Asset Management Manager in Downstream, is very involved in his community and coaching his kids' sports teams. Since starting his volunteer journey, SunCares has helped Marc donate over $7,000 to the Bow Valley Hockey Society and Fish Creek Little League.

“Volunteering in a community not only helps you develop in your professional and personal life, but it also inspires people to do good and leave a mark on this world,” says Marc. “Volunteering brings people together to achieve a common goal, so I highly advise people throughout the company to continue to build a culture of supporting others, doing their research on volunteer opportunities and helping their community in any way they can.”

Marc, a Suncor employee, posing on an ice rink in front of the Bow Valley Hockey Society sign. — Marc volunteering at the Bow Valley Hockey Society.

SunCares’ commitment to community impact reaches every corner of our operating areas. We thank every employee who contributed this past year and look forward to hearing the stories of impact they will make in 2024!