Tuesday, September 9, 2008, Ottawa – Today, almost 2,000 federal government employees and retirees gathered in Confederation Park to launch the 2008 Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC). Janice Charette, Deputy Minister for Human Resources and Social Development Canada (HRSDC) and the 2008 GCWCC Chair, revealed this year’s goal for the National Capital Region (NCR) – an ambitious $19 million.
“There are countless people from all walks of life who have been positively affected by this campaign in this region and across Canada,” said Janice Charette. “The 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.”
Throughout the campaign, federal government departments and agencies across Canada will hold large and small fundraising events involving employees and retirees as they try to achieve this year’s goal. These include events like mock Canadian Idol contests, golf tournaments, Halloween parties, and loonie-toonie races to name but a few. Federal employees and retirees also donate their time by participating in events like Community Action Days where they volunteer at community service organizations.
“Every year the GCWCC challenges federal employees and retirees with a lofty goal,” said Joan Highet, Vice-President, Campaigns, United Way Ottawa. “And each year, they amaze us with their enthusiasm, creativity and generosity. This means the world to the communities that benefit from the contributions we collect.”
The 2008 GCWCC kicks off today and concludes with an achievement celebration on Tuesday, November 25 at the Museum of Civilization. Last year federal employees and retirees helped to improve the quality of life of people living in communities across the country by raising more than $33.5 million in support of United Ways/Centraides, Healthpartners/Partenairesanté and thousands of other registered Canadian charities. More than $18 million of this amount was raised in the National Capital Region alone.
About the 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.