November 29, 2007, Ottawa – This evening at the Hampton Inn and Conference Centre, United Way Ottawa celebrated a new threshold as it announced that this year’s campaign has raised an outstanding $29,312,087. This amount exceeds by more than $2 million the $27.2 million announced at last year’s achievement. More than 500 United Way/Centraide supporters, volunteers and donors were in attendance.
“To have been involved in a campaign that has reached such an outstanding achievement is a great feeling – it’s indescribable,” said 2007 Campaign Chair and Secretary of the Treasury Board of Canada, Wayne Wouters. “The simple courage shown by this community – the commitment to make a real difference in the lives of others through United Way/Centraide – is just amazing.”
“We launched the campaign with a goal of $29.7 million – a goal that is definitely within reach,” said Michael Allen, United Way Ottawa President and Chief Executive Officer. “We know that this year’s campaign will continue to grow from here, as workplace campaigns are completed and individuals in the community continue to show their generosity. We will work hard over the coming weeks until we achieve our goal.”
The 2007 United Way/Centraide campaign featured some outstanding high points. Bell’s overall contribution to United Way Ottawa this year was $268,000. In the education sector, the Ottawa Carleton Catholic School Board recently held their achievement celebration for a campaign that raised more than $400,000 for United Way.
Outstanding results in the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC) also contributed to tonight’s achievement. As of today, the GCWCC has reported an impressive achievement of $18 million for the National Capital Region (NCR) and this number continues to grow. This total represents $14,894,852 for United Way Ottawa. The rest goes towards United Way/Centraides in other regions, to Healthpartners and other Canadian registered charities.
“We have seen some innovative and creative fundraising initiatives in our community over the past 10 weeks,” noted Mr. Wouters. “As campaign chair, I have had the opportunity to see our community in action. We live in a community committed to helping others – that is something we should all be very thankful for. The commitment and contributions of individuals and organizations have been truly remarkable.”
Donations are expected to continue to come in through the months of December and January. To make a donation, please call 613-228-6767, or visit www.unitedwayottawa.ca.
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.