IN GOOD COMPANY: Melloul-Blamey makes giving back to community a top priority

Melloul-Blamey Construction has long been recognized as an industry powerhouse, having constructed more than 1,000 projects with a combined value of more than $3 Billion. Throughout its more than four decades of existence, however, the Waterloo-based company has built a reputation that extends far beyond brick and mortar.  

Whether it's The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, Lions Club of Kitchener, Drayton Entertainment, Grand River Hospital Foundation, or countless sports organizations, Melloul-Blamey's fingerprints can be found on just about every community-minded project or cause in the area.

The company regularly contributes to dozens of causes and has been doing so for years as part of a benevolent mentality first established by founders Bernard Melloul and David Blamey. 

"It's a responsibility that we have for being successful," said Neil Aitchison, Senior Manager of Market Development, who serves as the main point of contact between Melloul-Blamey and community organizations. "You can't succeed unless you're helping along the way and acknowledging those who helped."

The list of community associations and partners to benefit from Melloul-Blamey's generosity is exhaustive. KidsAbility, Rotary Club of Kitchener-Westmount, the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, Bereaved Families of Ontario Midwestern Region, and Farwell4Hire are but a handful of organizations the company has supported.

The annual Farwell4Hire fundraising campaign sees local radio personality Mike Farwell perform odd jobs around Waterloo Region to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis research. Melloul-Blamey has donated a work truck and fuel toward the cause for several years now and contributed $3,000 cash this year as well.

"Jeff Heimpel (Vice President, Business Development) and I saw a picture of Mike Farwell in the paper with one of those little Volkswagen cars. He had all his tools sticking out of the trunk and he was trying to jam a lawnmower in there," said Aitchison. "Jeff said, 'Let's give him a truck during the duration of Farwell4Hire. I took it to Westmount Signs & Printing and they lettered it, did a logo, and dressed up the pickup truck beautifully. Jeff said, 'Let's give him a gas card, too.'"

A $5,000 donation to ToastyToes Waterloo Region -- an organization that collects money for socks annually for vulnerable residents -- was yet another example of Melloul-Blamey and its 250-employee workforce stepping up to the plate.

"Sharon Gilroy-Dreher came to us and asked if we might help her. She was hoping for $500 or $600 to go toward the purchase of socks. We gave her $5,000," Aitchison said. "That's the kind of people we have. We realize if our community is working well, we're all better off, too."

The Farwell4Hire Fund and ToastyToes Waterloo Region Fund are two examples of Donor Advised Funds established through Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF).

“You can see the impact WRCF makes,” said Aitchison, “I’ve been a huge advocate of what the Community Foundation does in our area. WRCF has a great history and a reputation for doing things right.”

With the help of WRCF, there are many ways companies can give back to the community. The option to set up a fund through WRCF is readily available, and the process is relatively simple. Money can be raised via in-house fundraising campaigns through payroll deductions and corporate matching. At Melloul-Blamey, management additionally grants employees time away from work to volunteer at their favourite charities.

Melloul-Blamey has also provided support to WRCF’s Community Fund in the past, which empowers responsive grantmaking and supports the most pressing needs in community.

“I love the concept where everybody pools their money together to support important causes,” Aitchison said. “There are so many not-for-profits out there who need support. There’s nothing like seeing the happiness and the smiles of those you’ve helped along the way.”

Giving back can become infectious in the workplace, just as it has at Melloul-Blamey.

“We believe strongly in supporting what’s good in our community so things may thrive and others may benefit,” Aitchison said.

“The company becomes more than just a place to work,” he added. “It’s a place to grow and belong. If you belong in a community, I think it speaks volumes.”

To learn more about Melloul-Blamey, visit www.melloul.com.

If you are interested in setting up a Fund for your business or organization, please contact Dan Robert at dan@wrcf.ca or 519-725-1806 x 205. If you would like to learn more about the types of funds WRCF offers, visit www.wrcf.ca/types-of-funds.