United Way responds to Trans Alta layoffs

*This news article was published December 2006 in Business to Business, a monthly magazine for Lewis County


Debbie Campbell, executive director for United Way, feels positive her hometown will pull through the hardship and heartbreak of the Trans Alta layoffs.

Although the mine closure came as a shock, it has brought this community together, Campbell says. People are reaching out to help the miners and their families.

In one case, United Way asked local churches to call for volunteers during Sunday service to bake cookies for the Trans Alta job fair.

It just so happens a bakery owner went to church that Sunday. He pledged to bake 200 dozen cookies, graciously exceeding what United Way ever hoped for.

Currently, United Way is working with their agencies and Trans Alta managers to confront the social and health ramifications of the layoffs.

Only time will tell what the scope of the mine closure will be. The situation not only effects the laid-off workers’ families, but also impacts local businesses, the tax base and schools.

“Trans Alta really was the Boeing of Lewis County,” Campbell says.

Over the years, Trans Alta has worked closely with United Way as their charity of choice.

The company’s donations amounted to one-third of United Way’s annual fundraising money, Campbell says. In effect, this blow to United Way’s campaign will trickle down to the 15 agencies they work with such as the local Red Cross and Salvation Army.

Campbell credits Trans Alta as good corporate citizens. Besides their ongoing philanthropy to United Way, the Canadian company has recently donated $5 million to the community and is helping the workers find employment elsewhere and connecting them with services.

United Way is identifying problems and looking for strategic ways to look ahead, Campbell says.

Specifically, they are seeking ways to address issues like financial stress and depression by educating people about resources in the community. They are distributing informational pamphlets that list organizations and give advice.

Campbell says she fears people might make bad choices in their situations. She advises people to take a deep breath, call their banker and reach out to their support system.

She also advises people to stay active, keep their minds busy, and not forget places like the public library that can assist people in their job search.

Campbell says its normal to approach this tragedy like a family death. First comes shock and grief, then anger, and finally the bereaved says, “I have to pull myself together.”

Campbell says she feels blessed to live somewhere that has so much community spirit. In this, comes healing and progress.

“We can weather this storm,” she says.

Campbell has lived in Lewis County her whole life. She does not want to leave the area, no matter what happens in the aftermath of the Trans Alta layoffs.

As a public servant, she says, “my heart and soul is in this community more than ever.”