September 24, 2008, Ottawa – $31 million dollars is the goal for the 2008 United Way/Centraide Community Campaign. The goal was unveiled at the campaign kick-off at Lansdowne Park’s Aberdeen Pavilion. The breakfast event, attended by more than 1,000 of United Way/Centraide’s supporters, volunteers and donors, featured celebrity servers and a performance by Canadian singer Suzie McNeil.
“To say I’m excited about chairing this campaign is an understatement,” says Sal Iacono, 2008 Campaign Chair and Bell senior vice-president (retired). “My parents brought my brothers and me to Canada in the late 1950s, with only a few hundred dollars in their pockets. They came on the promise of a brighter future for their children. As my personal promise to my community, I consider it an honour to lead United Way/Centraide’s campaign this year.”
This year’s campaign theme is The Promise we Share. Mr. Iacono explained at the event that the theme is a promise we make to ourselves to think of others and to make the effort to help out. “This promise we all make for a stronger and safer community, for a brighter future for everyone, is what binds the community together.”
To help achieve this year’s goal, more than 1,800 workplaces in Ottawa will run United Way/Centraide campaigns with the help of about 14,000 volunteers. Included in this number are the campaigns and fundraising blitzes organized by the 108 federal government departments and agencies in the National Capital Region through the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC). While payroll deduction is still a significant source of workplace fundraising for United Way/Centraide, many private-sector companies and government departments also hold special fundraising events such as breakfasts and barbeques, talent shows and even tricycle races.
The 2008 goal represents an increase of almost four per cent over last year’s achievement of $29.8 million. United Way/Centraide’s campaign wraps up on Tuesday, December 2, 2008 with a celebration at the Hampton Inn. The 10-week long campaign features events to raise awareness and funds including: the ninth annual Community Action Days on Thursday, October 2; Schmoozefest, a networking event for young professionals, on Tuesday, October 21; and Caring for Others, which connects grade four students with community leaders on Thursday, November 13.
About United Way/Centraide 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.
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