Freeport McMoran

Freeport-McMoRan announces 2018 Volunteer Excellence Award winners.

October 10, 2018

Employees Stacy Forest, Nicholas Pina and John Acosta are this year's recipients of the company's annual Volunteer Excellence Award honoring three North America employees for exceptional dedication and commitment to building stronger communities through their volunteer efforts.

Forest, Senior Buyer-Global Supply Chain at Climax, received top honors and a $10,000 grant for Advocates for Victims of Assault in Summit County. Pina, Tailings Dam Operator at Sierrita, and Acosta, Health and Safety Specialist in Bisbee, received a $2,500 grant each for their volunteer service with Redskins Youth Football and Spirit Association, and Bisbee Coalition for the Homeless, respectively.

The trio was among the 12 employee nominations received and reviewed by an award selection committee comprised of company representatives and community members. The committee reviewed each nomination on volunteer approach, significance and community impact.

Collectively, this year's recipients have volunteered at their organizations for more than 18 years and more than 1,425 hours annually. 

"Congratulations to this year's award recipients, whose volunteer service has meant so much to the organizations they support," said Tracy Bame, Director-Social Responsibility and Community Development in Phoenix. "Volunteerism remains an important way we – as individuals and a company – can give back to and strengthen our communities, and ensure they are safe and healthy places for all us to live and work." 

More about each honoree: 

Forest has been a crisis hotline volunteer with Advocates for Victims of Assault in Summit County for three years. AVA provides programs and advocacy services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and other trauma. In her volunteer role, Forest speaks with victims of assault on the phone, visits the emergency room for in-person crisis intervention and helps with last minute coverage as needed.  

Forest was nominated by Jae Dee Wood, AVA Outreach and Education coordinator/Americorps Vista volunteer, who said: "Our staff alone does not have the capacity to provide hotline coverage, and Stacy is a dedicated volunteer who goes above and beyond and is integral in keeping the crisis hotline available for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Stacy volunteers at our fundraising events, connects our organization to local businesses for in-kind donations, helps to sustain our work, and makes a direct impact on our net revenue." 

Pina has been volunteering with the Redskins Youth Football and Spirit Association for six years, donating over 420 hours per year. The Redskins are the second largest youth football organization in the Tucson area and reach at-risk student athletes in South Central Tucson. Pina helps foster youth success by stressing the importance of education, family and the attributes of honesty, reliability, respect and responsibility in all areas, not only sports.

Roberta Vasquez, executive board member with the Redskins, wrote: "Pina contributes countless hours of his time to our youth. He is a coach, mentor, teacher, friend and father figure to many young athletes. He sends a strong message about academics, leadership, teamwork, sportsmanship, discipline and strong work ethics, on and off the field. He ensures these kids have something to do other than play video games or do nothing at all. He is a positive role model, and the impact he will have on these young athletes will last a lifetime." 

Acosta has been volunteering with Bisbee Coalition for the Homeless for nine years, donating on average 720 hours a year. The nonprofit serves the homeless in Cochise County by providing food, meals, shelter, showers, laundry, personal care kits, clothing and more. In addition, the Coalition empowers the homeless to achieve self-sufficiency by helping them navigate the processes for obtaining benefits, employment, housing and behavioral counseling.  

Tony Bedolla, Executive Director of Bisbee Coalition for the Homeless, wrote in his nomination form: "John serves as the board president and continually seeks solutions for the governing board. John's innovative thinking led to the idea of including not only men, but also women and families with children, in BCH's program. John's leadership style and eagerness to take part in all facets of BCH have allowed the growth and discharge of services."  

For more information about the Volunteer Excellence Award and other volunteer grants, visit Freeport in My Community.

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