NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Alcoa (NYSE:AA) employees are preparing to set a new volunteering record this month during the company’s annual Worldwide Month of Service, with more than one-third of Alcoa’s global workforce ready to give their time, talent and hands-on support to strengthen local communities.

Throughout October, 23,000 Alcoa employees will volunteer in close to 700 service events across 24 countries. The projects will address the needs of local communities where Alcoa operates, from strengthening literacy and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) skills, to bolstering capacity of community service organizations, to improving the natural environment through tree planting and recycling. Employees’ collective efforts will support the work of 1,600 non-profit organizations.

Celebrating its fifth year, Alcoa’s Month of Service is a company-wide event that mobilizes employees to make a positive impact in their local communities. More than 190,000 people across Alcoa and the broader community have participated in Month of Service volunteer events since its inception in 2006.

“At Alcoa, community service is a core value, and our employees continually look to give back in ways that are both meaningful and sustainable,” said Alcoa Chairman and CEO Klaus Kleinfeld.

“Month of Service was organized five years ago to demonstrate Alcoa’s commitment to its people, the causes that are important to them and the needs of the local communities where we do business. Working with outstanding nonprofit partners throughout the world, we have grown our Month of Service activities each year, reflecting the passion and persistence of our people and enabling us to help more people in need. This is the outcome by which we ultimately measure our success,” Kleinfeld added.

Last October, 22,000 Alcoa employees took part in Month of Service. Partnering with local organizations, they planted 11,000 trees, served 14,000 meals, ran 4,000 charitable campaigns, and volunteered at 400 schools.

ABOUT ALCOA FOUNDATION AND MONTH OF SERVICE

Alcoa Foundation is one of the largest corporate foundations in the U.S., with assets of approximately US $420 million. In addition to addressing local needs in communities where Alcoa operates, Alcoa Foundation is focused on promoting environmental stewardship, enabling economic and social sustainability, and preparing tomorrow’s leaders through education and learning. Alcoa Foundation was founded more than 50 years ago and has invested more than US $515 million since 1952. Through the company’s signature Month of Service program, Alcoa employees share their energy, passion and purpose to make a difference in our communities. Month of Service is the centerpiece of year-round volunteer efforts by Alcoa employees, who in 2009 gave 650,000 hours of service to 9,000 charitable organizations – the equivalent of 325 people working full-time. Their time was matched with US$4million in Alcoa volunteer grants.

HIGHLIGHTS OF ALCOA’S 2010 MONTH OF SERVICE

North America: Across the United States, Alcoa’s workforce will mobilize to complete more than 200 service projects -- repairing recreational and educational facilities, restoring vegetation at national parks, running recycling programs, and supporting skills development and employment readiness. In Canada, 1,800 employees will renovate a community center, collect winter clothes, and raise funds for the United Way and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

South America: In Brazil, 87 percent of Alcoa’s workforce will participate in more than 60 Month of Service events through October. Their efforts will strengthen environmental conservation and improve local infrastructure. In Suriname, employees will work with three local schools on nutrition education and revitalization of facilities.

Europe: More than 6,000 Alcoa employees in 12 countries across Europe will take part in Month of Service. In Russia, 2,500 Alcoans will work on environmental restoration projects and assist the underserved. Alcoa Spain will work alongside 150 local nonprofit organizations, restoring waterways and planting 1,000 trees. In France, employees will promote sustainability by hosting biodiversity workshops, cleaning rivers and recycling. Alcoa Switzerland employees will serve meals to those in need and provide skills development at a women’s shelter.

Asia: Alcoa China employees will volunteer to improve environmental sustainability by educating students on conservation and recycling, planting trees and cleaning parks.

Australia: In Australia, more than 1,500 employees will give 400 hours to improve school infrastructure, deliver safety education to students, raise awareness for the National Breast Cancer Foundation, and plant native trees.

Month of Service Website
www.alcoa.com/monthofservice

Month of Service Facebook
www.facebook.com/alcoamonthofservice