Building a better world; having a heart for others

Meet Thomas Ellyson, AFT Logistics and Transport Coordinator - passionate about helping others in need

Thomas has been a board member of the United Way Eastern Townships, Quebec, local branch for five years, supporting projects to reduce poverty and build stronger and healthier communities. Youth centers, soup kitchens, and homeless shelters all gain from financial and personal contributions of time from volunteers like Thomas.

How did your United Way journey begin?

Back when I was a student, I became profoundly aware that everyone does not have the same chance in life. So, ever since, I have tried small ways to fight inequality. Volunteer work can go a long way to building a better world. When I got the opportunity to join the United Way movement, I said yes and haven’t looked back since.

Could you tell us about an experience that touched you personally?

Preparing and serving lasagna at La Chaudronnée de l’Estrie, a soup kitchen in Quebec, I could see life from the eyes of over one hundred people that day. Healthy meals matter, as does meeting and interacting with others. This experience showcased the importance of giving back to the community. I should add that a team of ten cooks and servers requires logistics skills.

How does your volunteer work help with your job at AFT?

First, teamwork is critical, where experts in their respective fields support each other. I do that both at AFT and United Way. In logistics, finding the right global transport solution means team efforts with purchasing, engineering, maintenance, customer service, etc. Let’s remember that caring for others is essential.

Listening with genuine interest and compassion produces the best results.

How unique is your approach to work and volunteering at AFT?

I am happy to report that AFT has been running a fundraising campaign with United Way for many years. Our HR team and workers union representatives do great with the local drives. It’s always a good sign when your workplace shares some common values. 

Could you comment on your job at AFT and why you like the work?

Working in transportation logistics means interacting with many different teams, locally and globally, often including Varkaus and Incheon, to import and export our goods. Equally important are customers, suppliers, forwarders, and carriers from all around the world.  This gives me an edge to help us find the right solutions and applications for our customers worldwide.