Alcoa Canada launches the 7th Alcoa Worldwide Month of Service by holding five volunteer activities on the same weekend

MONTREAL, Oct. 1, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - On the September 29-30 weekend, Alcoa Canada employees participated in volunteer activities benefitting organizations in their communities. In total, more than 125 people—including employees, their families, and Alcoa community partners—donated more than 500 hours of their time to five organizations. Alcoa also took advantage of the occasion to make $15,000 in donations, with $3,000 going to each organization, and to announce an additional two surprise $5,000 donations, including one going to the Montreal organization. The event marked the launch of the 7^th Alcoa Worldwide Month of Service.

In Montreal, a group of about 50 people volunteered their time at the Canadian Aviation Heritage Centre. Centre president John Lawson said, "The Alcoa team helped us carry out a number of tasks in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. Throughout the day, the people from the Montreal headquarters and the Howmet (Laval) and Kawneer (Pointe-Claire) divisions demonstrated their commitment to making a difference." Mr. Lawson noted that the money received would go toward ongoing restoration projects that will benefit all visitors to the center.

The event was the 27^th in a series of 46 ACTION* programs taking place in 2012. Alcoa Canada president Martin Brière, who participated in the events with his family, said, "Participating in three of the five activities held during the weekend gave me an opportunity to see just how involved our people are in their communities, with commitments that extend far beyond the scope of their work. They generously share their time, care about safety and the environment, and want to make a difference for future generations."

The success of the first event is promising since, for the third consecutive year, Alcoa will have more activities scheduled in October than there are days in the month. More than fifty percent of the employees at the nine Alcoa Canada facilities will make tangible contributions in their communities through volunteer days, a fundraising campaign for the United Way, item drives for people in need, blood drives, etc. Furthermore, Alcoa Foundation is again holding its worldwide photography contest, which gives employees a chance to win one of five $5,000 prizes for the charitable organization of their choice. In 2010, two of those prizes were awarded in Quebec—one in Baie-Comeau and the other in Portneuf.

About Alcoa in Canada
In Quebec, Alcoa Canada Global Primary Products (GPP Canada) comprises the Baie-Comeau, Deschambault, and Bécancour smelters, as well as the Bécancour Rod Plant. These four plants have an annual production capacity of over one million metric tons of ingots, castings, billets, and aluminum rods. Alcoa has pproximately 3,200 employees in Quebec, and its activities generate more than $1.3 billion in economic spin-offs annually in the province. Further information is available at www.alcoa.com/canada.

About Alcoa Foundation in Canada
Alcoa Foundation is one of the largest corporate foundations in the U.S., with assets of approximately US$446 million. Alcoa Foundation has invested more than US$550 million since 1952. In addition to responding to local needs identified by Alcoa communities, Alcoa Foundation seeks to find solutions to broader sustainability issues, like climate change. In 2011, the foundation supported 35 projects led by organizations based in the communities where Alcoa facilities are located, including five major tree-planting initiatives. The work of the Foundation is enhanced by the involvement of Alcoa Canada employees, who have volunteered more than 210,000 hours of their time over the past five years and donated more than $1 million to 200 organizations through Alcoa Foundation's volunteer support program. For more information, go to www.alcoa.com/canada and click on "Community."

Additional information
*The ACTION—Alcoans Coming Together In Our Neighborhoods—program recognizes the work of employees who pool their efforts to carry out hands-on community projects. Non-profit organizations benefit not only from the volunteer work of Alcoa employees but also from a $3,000 contribution from Alcoa.

SOURCE ALCOA Ltd.