Published: May 28, 2009 08:54 am      

LyondellBasell employees engage in service projects

CLINTON — Nearly 40 employee volunteers and family members from LyondellBasell’s Equistar plant in Clinton participated in three community service projects May 16 as part of the company’s worldwide day of community service called Global Care Day.

Global Care Day is LyondellBasell’s annual worldwide day of community service that began 10 years ago as a way to reach out to local communities where the company operates. Global Care Day challenges employees at each of the company’s worldwide locations to participate on the same day in community service above and beyond ongoing community involvement activities. Employees organize their activity around one of the company’s three community focus areas: environment, education and community sustainability.

“Global Care Day gives our employees an excellent opportunity to personally connect with our local communities,” said Ed Dineen, LyondellBasell’s chief operating officer. “During this economically stressed environment, it’s essential to take the time to do something good for others, especially to those in the communities where we have operations. The projects are driven by the talent and creativity of our volunteers, and it’s gratifying to experience the results of this effort.”

LyondellBasell has not been immune to the economic downturn and is currently restructuring its operations in the U.S. under Chapter 11. However, that hasn’t dampened the spirits of LyondellBasell volunteers locally or around the world, company officials said.

Locally, LyondellBasell's Brad Peyton and Brandon Stiff led the team of employees that planned and completed the Global Care Day projects in Clinton.

One team of employee volunteers worked at the Clinton YWCA painting five rooms in the Children’s Day Care area.

A second team did some painting and general site improvements at the Lake Malone Recreation Area operated by the Clinton County Conservation Board. The third team of volunteers spent their time cleaning up roadside litter along portions of U.S. 30.

Courtney Ruth, plant manager for LyondellBasell’s Clinton facility and one of the volunteers who participated in the Global Care Day activities, is proud of the spirit of volunteerism demonstrated by the employees.

“It’s important for our employees to get out into the community to show our neighbors that LyondellBasell is still in business and will be for a long, long time,” said Ruth.