National Volunteer Week: Rümineers put the “U” in Community

During National Volunteer Week, we wanted to shine a light on some of our amazing Rümineers who embody these values and make a real difference in the world around them. One such pair is Thomas and Garrett from our Customer Care Happiness Centre. Together, they’ve contributed over 40 volunteer hours, and together with the team, they helped us reach more than 400 community service hours in 2022—so far!

We sat down with them to hear more about what it means to be a Rümi volunteer and why they love giving back.

Making the Connection

If you’ve ever attended one of our events, you might have met Thomas and Garrett. These two are not only passionate about their work at Rümi but also deeply committed to community service. Their stories show how volunteering can create meaningful bonds and impact lives in unexpected ways.

What Do You Enjoy Most About Volunteering?

Garrett: “I love meeting people and connecting with them in person. It’s great to show the human side of the company behind the phone.”

Thomas: “I enjoy learning directly from customers. It gives me insight into what they really want and helps us improve.”

Why Do You Think Volunteering and Connection Go Hand in Hand?

Garrett: “I grew up in Alberta, and I love hearing the stories people share about ATCO or Blue Flame Kitchen. Everyone has a connection to us in some way.”

Thomas: “As someone new to Alberta, I’ve seen how deeply rooted the community is. Rümi being part of the ATCO family helps us build those connections more easily.”

What’s Your Favorite Part of Volunteering?

Thomas: “It’s fun! Whether it’s chatting with people or being in the middle of the action, every event is exciting.”

Garrett: “I love the teamwork. We do more than just set up booths—we help out at places like WINS, and it’s always a great experience.”

“It’s also a chance to bond with coworkers while doing something meaningful,” he added.

What Was Your Most Memorable Moment as a Volunteer?

As they both smile, Garrett shares a funny story from an event they worked on together.

Thomas: “I remember a soccer event where two people swapped sunglasses!”

Garrett: “One guy was really excited about our green Rümi sunglasses for his birthday. When we gave him the last pair, another person saw and traded his name-brand glasses for ours right in front of us!”

What’s Next for Rümi in the Community?

Since launching ügive, our community initiative, we’ve focused on supporting local charities that align with our mission. From home builds with Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta to clean-up projects with HomeSpace and donation drives like Handbags with Heart with WINS, our team continues to make a positive impact.

2022 Community Investment Achievements:

• Exclusive sponsorship of the Home Refurbishment Program with Habitat for Humanity, including $20,000 and six months of free energy from ATCOenergy, plus meals from Blue Flame Kitchen for 10 families.
• Over 400 hours of community service completed.
• Helped build homes with Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta.
• Sorted donations with WINS (Women in Need Society).
• Revitalized spaces with HomeSpace Society.
• Launched a matching program to support Rümineers who volunteer outside of ügive initiatives.

Whew! That’s a lot of impact, and we’re just getting started. Stay tuned for more events and updates by subscribing to our newsletter. Let’s keep making a difference, one community at a time!