November 21, 2007, Ottawa – This evening at an achievement celebration at the Ottawa Congress Centre, federal employees and retirees announced that they have raised $17 715 684 for the National Capital Region’s (NCR) Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC). This total exceeds the $16.2 million announced at last year’s achievement.
“This is just an amazing achievement - congratulations to all of the NCR’s federal employees and retirees,” said Cassie Doyle, GCWCC Campaign Chair and Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Canada. “All of our employees are stars, and they have certainly taken our campaign slogan, ‘be star in someone’s life’, to heart.”
During the celebration the GCWCC also announced recipients of two key campaign awards, The Chair’s Cup and the Mitchell Sharp Award for Meritorious Service.
The Chair’s Cup is awarded to the government department or agency that achieves outstanding results – not only in terms of dollars raised, but also with respect to other criteria such as participation rates, creativity and enthusiasm. The year’s recipient is the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS).
CSIS thought of a number of innovative ways to promote the campaign to employees. For example, in an effort to further staff awareness around the impact of a gift to the GCWCC this organization held an awareness fair -- hosting 14 local charitable agencies at headquarters to illustrate how donations help to make a difference. “CSIS focused on raising awareness around the impact that a gift to the GCWCC can have in the lives of people in our community,” noted Ms. Doyle. “This strategy really paid off as they set new records for their organization both in terms of dollars raised and employee participation.”
Established in memory of the Honourable Mitchell Sharp’s exemplary public service career, the Mitchell Sharp Award for Meritorious Service is given to a retired federal employee who has made and continues to make an extraordinary contribution to his/her community. This year’s award recipient is Rev. Dr. Pierre Allard, a committed community volunteer and retired chaplain who devoted his career to the rehabilitation of inmates. He began his work with Correctional Services Canada (CSC) in 1972 as a chaplain at Archambault Penitentiary, and later served as chaplain at several other penitentiaries as well as holding many other positions at CSC headquarters. Dr. Allard is a strong supporter of the GCWCC, serving both as a member of the campaign cabinet and also a sought-after motivational speaker who delivers a powerful message about philanthropy.
“It has been an amazing opportunity to be campaign chair and to see first-hand the extraordinary giving that comes from our government employees and retirees,” said Ms. Doyle. “Public servants have proven that they are giving back in so many ways to their community – and we so are proud of the exceptional effort that has gone into this year’s campaign.”
About Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign
The GCWCC is managed by United Way/Centraide on behalf of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. In the National Capital Region, federal employees have contributed to annual fundraising campaigns since 1945. The campaign is the largest workplace charitable campaign in Canada and benefits United Way/Centraides across Canada, HealthPartners and thousands of Canadian registered charities.
About United Way/Centraide Ottawa
United Way Ottawa’s mission is to bring people and resources together to build a strong, healthy, safe, community for all . By bringing people together from all parts of our community to identify, develop and provide solutions to community needs, we promise that the donations we receive go where they are needed most. In 2007, United Way Ottawa made a record community investment to support 184 projects, programs and partnerships, in 99 different community organizations.