Opening up ways for employees to strengthen our connections to the communities we serve through the active encouragement of employee volunteering.

As a nonprofit, Medica believes it is important to establish strong connections, built on trust, to the communities we serve. One way we do that is by promoting employee volunteerism. We've branded our volunteer program Together We... Throughout the year, Medica teams go out to local nonprofits to help pack food or deliver meals. We sponsor quarter drives for school supplies or basis need supplies. We recently began participating in the Adopt A Highway program. Annually, we host Volunteer Week, where we promote a variety of volunteer opportunities. We offer employees up to 16 hours of volunteer time off. The tone is set from the top. Medica's senior ieadership team participates as a team in community volunteer events. These efforts have led to the establishment of long-term relationships. Several teams have been volunteering at Hammer Residences for the past 8 years. Hammer provides support services to developmentally disabled individuals. Medica staff provide hands on support for social activities, including monthly bowling outings. Countless friendships have been formed. The Together We energy comes together in the annual Employee Giving Campaign. In addition to raising money, the campaign sponsors a Community Showcase, featuring dozens of local nonprofit, community-serving organizations. We also sponsor onsite volunteer opportunities. Departments come together to create gift baskets that are auctioned off in the Silent Auction. For many employees, this week is the highlight of the year.

Over the past five years, Medica employees have logged 15,000 volunteer hours. In Medica's most recent employee survey, 90 percent of employees said they were proud to work for Medica.

Lynn Altmann