Every year Suncor recognizes five employees who go above and beyond in their respective communities.
This year Asif Syed and Mohammed Al-Dhaby, both from Fort McMurray, are being honoured for their volunteer work in the RMWB.
Through Suncor’s SunCares Changemaker program, those individuals get to make a one-time donation of $20,000 from Suncor or Suncor Energy Foundation to an organization(s) of their choosing.
Syed, a Fluid and Tailings Project Engineer, is spreading his $20,000 across three organizations. Waypoints and Markaz Ul Islam Fort McMurray will be on the receiving end of $7,000 and the remaining $6,000 will be donated to BGC Fort McMurray.
“Volunteering in the RMWB is a unique experience because there is a wide variety of people from all walks of life, cultures, and backgrounds,” says Asif.
“I am motivated to add value to my community that has given me so much.”
Syed, a member of the Waypoints board, has also organized fundraising events for BGC Fort McMurray, Fort McMurray Center of Hope, and the Canadian Cancer Society.
Along with annually guest-hosting lectures at Keyano College for first-year engineering students, Syed finds time to coach youth soccer and basketball.
Mohammed Al-Dhaby // Photo Credit to Vincent McDermott/Fort McMurray Today/Postmedia Network
Al-Dhaby, a Mining and Upgrading Maintenance Co-ordinator at Suncor’s Base Plant, is donating $10,000 to the Canadian International Immigrant and Refugee Support Association (CIIRSA), $5,000 to Human Concern International Canada, and $5,000 to Markaz Ul Islam Fort McMurray.
“I am grateful for my parents for supporting me to volunteer from a young age,” reflects Al-Dhaby.
“Giving is the gateway to happiness, and as a family, it is with great pleasure and joy that we can change peoples’ lives for the better.”
Al-Dhaby is a regular volunteer for the Wood Buffalo Food Bank, on the board of Markaz Ul Islam Fort McMurray, and was an integral part of establishing the CIIRSA branch in Fort McMurray.
He has been able to help over 30 refugee families ensure they were properly supported with critical services like childcare and English language courses through Al-Dhabys leadership.