All Alabama divisions of Nucor Corporation recently participated in the Simon the Loving Lion Challenge, an annual event aimed at gathering donations to benefit Children’s of Alabama and its efforts to provide patients with a soft, cuddly stuffed Simon through the hospital’s Pastoral Care Department. Nucor companies in Alabama include American Buildings Company (ABC), Nucor Steel Birmingham, Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa, Nucor Steel Decatur, and Vulcraft.
Since 2007, more than $1.35 million has been raised by Nucor employees to support Children’s.
In addition to encouraging $20 donations from team members, an annual golf tournament is held to raise additional funds. To promote donations each company incorporates an element of competition by seeing which can raise the most money. ABC was the winner in 2012, raising nearly $11,000 in donations; overall the challenge and golf tournament donated more than $250,000. In 2011, Nucor Steel Tuscaloosa won the competition. Participants agree that the patients at Children’s are the real winners.