Professional development with United Way
Every year organizations across Ottawa engage with United Way in many ways. One of these is by participating in the Loaned Representative (LR) program.
The program benefits everyone:
- Employers, by ‘loaning’ an employee for 16 weeks, get back an employee who has acquired new business skills, fresh insights and a deeper connection to our community. Companies also benefit from a broad range of recognition opportunities.
- Employees benefit from hands-on training and experience in sales, communications, marketing, project and time management, all within a dynamic and exciting environment. They also advance their professional leadership skills and expand their networks.
- Our community benefits from the energy, passion and enthusiasm that LRs bring to their United Way experience throughout the annual community campaign.
Isn’t it time your organization considered participating in this unique program? Visit unitedwayottawa.ca to learn more or call Sue Hutton at 613-228-2504.
United Way salutes The Grocery Foundation for making a difference.
In a new partnership with United Way Ottawa, The Grocery Foundation is helping to tackle child hunger in Ottawa.
Through a unique lunch program at two family shelters, 110 children and youth a week learn about healthy eating in order to make nutritional lunches for themselves and their siblings that they can take to school. With a full stomach, they’re eager and ready to learn.
“Our Foundation is made up of grocery retailers, manufacturers and food brokers who want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of hungry children who need a hand up in life,” says André Gagné, vice-president at Metro and a member of the Foundation’s board of directors. “This new program helps us not only provide a nutritious lunch for kids in shelters, but also ensures they don’t have to worry about being singled out when they’re at school.”
The nutritious lunch program is an example of a targeted community investment, where United Way brought together community partners to realize The Grocery Foundation’s mission and to address a pressing need in our community.
United Way Ottawa salutes TMSI Sports Management for making a difference.
When parents are worried about putting food on the table, they aren’t even thinking about summer camp for their children. Through its Field of Dreams program, TMSI Sports Management (TMSI) is working with United Way Ottawa to help change this. Since 2005, more than 300 children ages six to 13 whose families face financial challenges attended TSMI’s summer camps.
“It’s important to us that more children have the chance to experience the fun and activity of summer camp,” says Darin McCorriston, TMSI. “Recreation plays an important role in the lives, health and well-being of children. By teaming up with United Way, we are helping to give more kids in Ottawa the summer memories they deserve.”
The camps take place at the Thunderbird Sports Centre, Superdome Sports Centre, Tennis Centre West Ottawa and Ben Franklin Park’s Superdome.
For more information about the many ways your company can make an ongoing difference in the lives of people in Ottawa, visit www.unitedwayottawa.ca.
United Way Ottawa salutes best tools for schools for making a difference.
Not all parents can afford to send their kids to school with all the tools they need. Thanks to a new relationship between United Way Ottawa and Best Tools for Schools, more kids are getting more of what they need to make their school year a successful one. Best Tools for Schools, founded by Laurie St-Julien and Candace Derickx, used its buying power and a United Way Community Action Day to donate school supply kits to 150 kids in our community. “Our business success is not measured by dollars alone, but by how many people we’ve been able to help,” says Laurie. Best Tools for Schools makes it easy for parents to purchase the supplies their kids need and offers a way for others to get involved by purchasing and donating kits for kids who may have gone without. In addition, part of the proceeds from kits sold are donated to local schools. “We are as passionate about giving back as we are for our own business success,” adds Candace. Best Tools for Schools participated in the first of four Community Action Days planned for this year.
Photo cutline: Best Tools for Schools enlists the help of RCMP and DND volunteers through United Way’s Community Action Day event.
United Way Ottawa proudly salutes Veritaaq for choosing to make a difference in our community.
Throw down a challenge to the Ottawa business community and they’ll respond every time. In 2008 United Way/Centraide Ottawa’s High Tech Challenge for small- to medium-sized high tech companies did just that, and more. Veritaaq, a United Way/Centraide supporter for several years, claimed the challenge’s number one spot and now holds “bragging rights” for an entire year. It also surpassed its original 2008 campaign target by raising more than $10,000 for the community — helping to build a stronger, healthier and safer community for everyone.
“Our employees understand the value of what they give to their community,” says Veritaaq President Paul Genier. “We all chose to participate in the campaign and winning the High Tech Challenge is just an added bonus for being involved.”
United Way/Centraide Ottawa proudly salutes Surgenor Pontiac Buick Limited for choosing to make a difference in our community.
Surgenor Pontiac Buick Limited has built a reputation as a company that takes corporate social responsibility seriously. President Pat McGurn has supported United Way Ottawa since the early 1970s, and his son Michael and the members of his staff have followed in his footsteps.
Locally owned and operated, Surgenor’s staff members are major champions for United Way/Centraide — some for more than 40 years. Dealer principal Michael McGurn, a United Way/Centraide Account Executive, also leads the company’s annual workplace campaign, where Surgenor matches employee donations. This adds up to Surgenor Pontiac Buick Limited — the top car dealer in the city — being one of Ottawa’s leading United Way/Centraide contributors from the automotive industry.
“It’s important for us to be a role model for our employees,” says Michael. “We are all involved in many organizations that help to strengthen our community. Our employees understand how corporate social responsibility makes a difference in the quality of where they work and live.”
United Way Ottawa proudly salutes Enbridge Gas Distribution and Hydro Ottawa for choosing to make a difference in our community.
Enbridge Gas Distribution and Hydro Ottawa are both supporters of Winter Warmth, an annual program that helps families in need with their energy bills during the cold winter months. They’ve been doing this together since 2005.
This autumn, these two leaders came together for a different reason, to raise visibility for United Way Ottawa’s 2008 campaign in a friendly, competitive ‘truck pull.’
“In 2007, Enbridge was recognized with a United Way/Centraide Community Builder Award for its work with children and youth,” says Will Akkermans, Regional General Manager, Enbridge Gas Distribution. “We are committed to making Ottawa a better place to live, work and raise a family. Through this competition, we are helping to raise awareness of United Way/Centraide and helping to achieve its campaign goal.”
“Our community is very important to us,” says Rosemarie Leclair, President and CEO, Hydro Ottawa. “This is a great opportunity for our two companies to make a positive contribution. By pulling together for a friendly competition, and through the work of Winter Warmth, we are helping to build a strong and healthy community for everyone.”
United Way Ottawa proudly salutes the Fireplace Center and Patio Shop for choosing to make a difference in our community.
The Fireplace Center and Patio Shop has been involved with United Way Ottawa for more than 20 years. This well-established family business understands the importance of giving back to its community, and their employees embrace this value and are champions for United Way Ottawa.
What makes it so successful? It’s all about dedication and energy. This year the employees were divided into four teams, and the team that had its pledge forms in first were rewarded with an Ottawa 67s suite night. In addition to a year-over-year 100 per cent participation rate, the Fireplace Center and Patio Shop involves its suppliers in the campaign and holds numerous raffles and innovative events to help it meet — and even exceed — its annual United Way/Centraide goal.
“We really believe in contributing to the community,” says VP and General Manager Andy Cotnam. “For United Way/Centraide, we always run a high-energy campaign, and we match employee donations dollar for dollar.”
United Way Ottawa proudly salutes IBM Canada for choosing to make a difference in our community.
Since 2002, IBM Canada has donated more than 100 systems and monitors to a broad range of the agencies whose programs are funded by United Way/Centraide Ottawa.
A wide variety of agency clients — from pre-schoolers to seniors — use the IBM systems to communicate more efficiently, to learn much needed computer skills for research and development purposes and for on-line education. The agencies themselves use the systems to promote their presence and reach out into their communities.
“IBM Canada’s corporate donation strategy unites our people and leading-edge technology with community partners to address problems that affect society, business and quality of life,” says Ralph Chapman, Vice President, Federal Public Sector, IBM Canada Ltd. “As one of Canada’s leading corporate citizens, IBM provides support for initiatives in education, youth and workforce development. Our relationship with United Way Ottawa means that our gifts in-kind are placed where they’ll have the greatest impact in our community.”
United Way Ottawa proudly salutes the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and the Sens Foundation for choosing to make a difference in our community.
The Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and the Sens Foundation are an unbeatable team, on the ice and in the community. This team has mobilized its marketing machine during home games in November to support United Way/Centraide Ottawa’s 2007 fundraising campaign.
Over this month, Sens fans have enjoyed world-class hockey at Scotiabank Place while hearing how United Way Ottawa makes a difference in their community.
“We have the best fans in the world and with their support we are able to help charitable organizations improve the quality of life for people in eastern Ontario and western Quebec,” says Roy Mlakar, President and CEO, Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and Scotiabank Place. “By working with United Way/Centraide Ottawa, we are supporting an organization that has a deep understanding of this community and knows where help is needed and where contributions will make the greatest impact. It’s a win/win situation for the fans who pitch in and for those people who are in need.”
Thursday, November 15 was designated United Way/Centraide day at Scotiabank Place. During the game, fans were invited to make donations. The Sens Foundation matched all money raised.
United Way Ottawa proudly salutes Starbucks for choosing to make a difference in our community.
Starbucks partners — the people behind the counters in the more than 25 stores in Ottawa — believe in making a difference in their community. “Being involved is important to the people who work at Starbucks and to our customers,” says Pat McDonell, Starbucks Ottawa District Manager. “Our goal is to create the best possible workplace environment for our partners, by being involved with local charities like United Way/Centraide, we encourage the kind of workplace that attracts and retains top talent.”
Starbucks employees have a passion to make a difference, and with United Way/Centraide, they know that their contribution is going to where it will make the greatest impact.
“Helping out and making a difference is part of what makes it special to work at Starbucks,” says Angie Steadman, a Starbucks partner. “Our company was founded with the guiding principle to contribute positively to our communities and environment. We are empowered to make this happen every day.”
On November 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. Starbucks stores across Ottawa will be hosting ‘Cheer Parties’ to celebrate the holiday season while supporting the local community with United Way/Centraide. Customers are invited to stop by their local Starbucks coffeehouse to sample tasty holiday beverages and treats.
