Valmeteers get together to do good
Nov 13, 2023
Valmet’s social responsibility program supports selected local projects around the world that promote science, nature and equal opportunities. In North America, Valmet supports Make-A-Wish® Foundation with the theme “Equal opportunities for wellbeing”.
Valmet team at Walk for Wishes event in Atlanta from left to right: Tony Auffant, Lavinia Costa, Ludimila Silva, Vitor Araujo Costa, Paul Gravel, Nahkai Jenkins, Brianna Johnson, Kristopher Flick, Diana Dave, Mona Henderson, Kati Isoniemi, Sanna Mutka and Walter Henderson.
Make-A-Wish® has been granting life-changing wishes for children diagnosed with critical illnesses for over 40 years. With Valmet’s donation, more and more children in the USA, Canada and Mexico will receive their life-changing wish.
Amanda G. Joiner, Director of Event Development at Make-A-Wish® Georgia, underlines the importance of corporate as well as private donors.
“We could not grant wishes without people like you. You bring hope and joy to kids and their families that are in the fight of their lives. You change their mindset by raising money for wishes. You make them believe they have a chance. Your fundraising gives them something they will never forget: their wish. We are so thankful for you all,” she says.
Valmeteers actively participate in fundraising events
Throughout the year, Valmeteers in North America have been participating in fundraising events around Georgia. In May, employees from the Atlanta office came together at Truist Park to participate in the 19th Annual Walk for Wishes, a family-friendly event supported by wish families, volunteers, companies, donors, and friends.
“After all the planning and coordinating, being able to participate in this event was electrifying. Team Valmet had a great time together and I am so proud of everyone for getting out there and getting those donations. We are looking forward to next year and growing our team even bigger,” Brianna Johnson, Valmet Team Captain, said.
Just recently, the attendees of Valmet Roll Maintenance School enjoyed an outing to Topgolf Augusta. The occasion added some fun and games to the professional learning experience while continuing Valmet's partnership with Make-A-Wish®. The event was sweetened with doughnuts, as Topgolf generously donated $1 for every donut hole sale to support wishes.
Valmet Roll Maintenance School attendees Zakary Byrd from Domtar, Bennetsville, South Carolina, and Matthew Lamp from Westrock, Dublin, Georgia, enjoying the donut holes for a good cause.
Donations have a life-changing effect
As mentioned earlier, Make-A-Wish grants wishes to children diagnosed with critical illnesses. One of those children is Zayden, who, at just two days old, was diagnosed with congenital heart disease. His condition has required him to undergo over 40 procedures and four open heart surgeries by the time he was eight.
Zayden’s wish was to blast off into outer space, visit Saturn in a red rocket ship and meet a friendly alien named “Beebo”. To fulfill a seemingly impossible wish, it became clear that VR (Virtual Reality) was the perfect way to make Zayden’s wish come true. With the help of former NASA astronaut, Commander LeRoy Chiao and a community fondly named “Zayden’s Squadron,” he received expert astronaut training to prepare him for take-off.
Commander Zayden was blasted off to Saturn from Dobbins Air Reserve Base in Georgia. During his voyage, he saw the moon and the stars and finally met his friendly alien companion, Beebo. An experience to remember, for sure!
Valmet's global social responsibility program
Valmet has expanded its global social responsibility program initiated in 2020 with new area-specific local projects around the world.
Valmet’s social responsibility program is part of the company’s sustainability agenda implementation. The program is based on three themes promoting science, nature and equal opportunities: ‘Towards the future with science’, ‘Protecting the planet for next generations’ and ‘Equal opportunities for wellbeing’.
Based on these themes, several local projects in Valmet’s operating areas around the world have been selected to the program. Valmet’s local personnel has participated in the planning and preparation of the projects, and the final selection has been made by employee voting.
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