The United Way E-Newsletter

“The energy and enthusiasm we’ve seen in the past five weeks have brought the campaign just past the halfway mark of our goal,” said Sal Iacono, 2008 Campaign Chair. “But the success of the first half has also been driven by an earlier-than-usual start to the GCWCC, enabling it to track ahead of our community campaign.  I’m pleased with our progress, but there’s much more work to do and we need the community behind us every step of the way.”

Although the campaign has been going well so far, Iacono stressed how crucial it is to keep up the momentum. “The second half is often more difficult. While we may not know at this point if we’ll achieve our goal, we are certain that our community understands the great need that exists.”

GCWCC National Chair Janice Charette, Deputy Minister of Human Resources and Social Development Canada, is confident that the government campaign will be another success.

“The GCWCC gives federal employees and retirees here in the nation’s capital and across Canada a chance to express their desire to help communities and make a positive difference,” said Charette. “Every day I am astounded by the level of commitment, passion and creativity they display. Federal employees and retirees who give generously, with financial contributions or by volunteering their time, are shining examples of how anyone can be a star in someone’s life.”

With only 24 campaign days left, Iacono encouraged those who have yet to donate to get involved and play a part in building this community. “Everyone in this community shares a promise for a stronger and safer community, for a brighter future for all. We need the whole community to come together in the last half of the campaign and show their support,” said Iacono.

United Way/Centraide’s 2008 campaign — themed “The Promise we Share” — wraps up with a celebration at the Hampton Inn on Tuesday, December 2, 2008.

Some Mid-Campaign Highlights:

• United Way/Cenraide’s first of two direct response telephone blitzes was an unqualified success, raising $27,927.  The second blitz will take place on November 18.
• For the tenth year in a row, TransAlta has secured 100% employee participation.  Their eight employees surpassed their goal this year by 15%, bringing in a total of $11,504.
• Ultramar has been a great supporter of United Way/Centraide Ottawa since 2002.  In 2007 Ultramar raised $29,113.  So far this year, their campaign has raised $32,805, stemming from both employee contributions and a corporate match. The 70 employee campaign has 100% participation and is still running strong.
• The Canada Foundation for Innovation has had 100% participation every year for their workplace campaign since 2002. And year after year, the campaign continues to grow.  They have 42 employees and in 2007 raised $12,855. This year, they have surpassed their goal by 14% by raising $14,816.
• In the GCWCC, Status of Women Canada has had a tremendous campaign to date, raising more than $28,000 on a departmental goal of $17,000. The department expects to raise almost double what was achieved last year. To date, the National Capital Commission is at 114% of their goal of $90,000 with an employee participation rate of 78%. 

About United Way Ottawa
United Way/Centraide 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 2008, United Way Ottawa made a record community investment to support more than 200 projects, programs and partnerships, in more than 100 community organizations.

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For more information on United Way/Centraide Ottawa, please contact:
Kate Headley, United Way/Centraide Ottawa
Phone: 613-683-3823 or Cell: 613-294-8128
E-mail: kheadley@unitedwayottawa.ca