Wednesday, December 2, 2009, Ottawa – United Way Ottawa announced this evening the results to date of the 2009 community campaign – $30,763,000. This is the first time that more than $30 million has been raised by Achievement night. This total exceeds the $29.9 million announced at last year’s achievement by $842,000. More than 500 United Way supporters, volunteers and donors attended the celebration at the Shenkman Arts Centre. The 2009 campaign was launched on September 23 with a goal of $31.7 million.

As of this evening, United Way has achieved 97 per cent of its goal, with more money expected to come in. Fundraising efforts are still under way in many workplaces and United Way is calling on people who have not yet done so to consider making a contribution for their community.

“At a time when attention is focused so much on the economy, these campaign results are an inspiration, and reaffirm how caring and generous our community is,” said Jamie McCracken, 2009 United Way Community Campaign Chair. “It’s an achievement to be proud of, it’s a cause for celebration, and it’s a big helping hand for so many people.”

“I hope people understand that we still need the community’s support to achieve our goal,” said McCracken. “Tonight is about celebrating months of hard work, but our job is not yet done. We will continue to work hard for every dollar that is left because we know how many lives we can change with those dollars.”

The 2009 United Way campaign featured some outstanding high points. Last week the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign announced an impressive achievement of $20,531,000 for the National Capital Region (NCR). This total represents $17.1 million for United Way Ottawa. The rest goes to United Ways in other regions, such as Centraide Outaouais, Healthpartners and other registered Canadian charities.

The education sector made a record contribution of $1.7 million to this year’s campaign. Campaign chair Jamie McCracken is best known as Director of Education and Secretary Treasurer for the Ottawa Catholic School Board, whose employees raised $565,115.

Technology companies in Ottawa went head-to-head with their workplace campaigns for the High Tech Challenge. The challenge between small- to mid-size companies raised more than $100,000 of the $2.3 million contributed by the high technology sector to the campaign.

Many more leadership donors (people who donate $1,000 or more) responded to the greater need in our community this year — 6,126 leaders contributed more than $10.1 million. Last year’s 5,354 leaders contributed $8.1 million.

“The desire to give back to our community plants seeds of unimaginable creativity,” said McCracken. “I have lost count of how many fundraising events I have visited, but I definitely have not forgotten the enthusiasm. Whether it’s video game competitions, pie tosses and chili cook-offs, relay runs or raffling employee vacation days — people will do anything for our community.”

United Way stresses there is still time for people to play a part in this year’s community campaign. To make a donation, please call 613-228-6767 or visit www.unitedwayottawa.ca.

About United Way 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 2009, United Way Ottawa made a record community investment to support nearly 200 projects, programs and partnerships in more than 100 community organizations.

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