'Tis the Season for Giving...

Guest Blogger – Cathy Snyder, CFO, United Way of KW and Area

A Colourful Fall Reminder to Think Green!

Hi, Cathy Snyder here. While my official title at United Way of KW and Area is CFO, I’m also pleased to be spearheading the organization’s environmental initiatives.

There’s no denying it, fall is here. The air is cooler, evenings are darker and the trees are beginning to look a little barren.

While the fall leaves shift from green to shades of red, yellow and brown, we at United Way of KW and Area continue shifting to green. "Going Green" is not just a program to us at United Way - it's a commitment. We’re committed to the sustainable, long-term success not only of our community, but of the environment as well. We believe the two go hand in hand.

So what are we doing? Here’s a quick run down of our “Go Green” initiatives to date:

• regularly evaluating operations to ensure they’re as efficient as possible
• thinking before we print to minimize paper waste
• where possible, producing and distributing documents in electronic format
• shredding documents internally and delivering shredded paper to the KW Humane Society to provide bedding for the animals (I've provided some pics below)
• using environmentally friendly products when possible, including biodegradeable pens
• when printing materials is necessary, using vegetable-based inks on 100% post-consumer recycled paper
• participating in and attending as many local green initiatives and seminars as possible
• joining Sustainable Waterloo, a local not-for-profit that guides organizations in Waterloo Region towards a more environmentally sustainable future. Our CEO, Jan Varner, is a board member of this organization, and I'm on the Events Committee.

Not only do these initiatives help reduce our carbon footprint, we believe that in the long run it is more cost effective to be green. And lower costs mean that more of the funds we raise can be invested into the community we serve. In other words, by going green we can all be Community Heroes.

You can learn more about our “Go Green” environmental commitment on our web site.

Here are the children of two of our employees delivering bags of shredded paper to the KW Humane Society for use as animal bedding:

Photo Blog - Day of Caring

Special thanks to professional photographer David McCammon for the following images from our first annual Day of Caring on September 15, 2010. A true community hero, David demonstrated his commitment to our community by capturing images of other community heroes in action!

Guest Blogger – Lisa Drew: First Annual Day of Caring!

Hi! It’s me again, Lisa Drew. I forgot to mention something really important in my last blog. I want you to mark this date down in your calendar:

Wednesday, September 15th
8 a.m.
Waterloo Public Square

It’s the first annual Day of Caring, and it kicks off United Way’s fall Workplace Campaign. The Day of Caring is about getting together and getting things done. The goal is to connect 21 volunteer teams with 21 projects in our community. It could be painting. It could be landscaping. Anything that makes a difference.

Go ahead.. really check out the new United Way of KW and Area website and CEO Jan's blog. While you’re at it, check out my previous blog about the Sponsored Employee Program, then contact Campaign Director Danielle Havelka and tell her that you're interested.

And stay tuned for more on this fall's Workplace Campaign. We’re in year two of a very big three year campaign to raise $21 million.

We can do it. Together.

Lisa

Guest Blogger – Lisa Drew: Be Change!

Hi! It’s Lisa Drew here from 570News. I'm thrilled to be on board as United Way’s 2010 Workplace Campaign Chair. I'd love to get you on board as well, sporting one those great red t-shirts like the one I’m wearing here. I promise you will feel energized by it all.

Can you spare a few weeks this fall? Say 15? If so, Jan Varner and the team at United Way of KW and Area need you! They’re looking for individuals to join their Sponsored Employee Program. Basically, you work out in the community helping workplaces with their United Way campaigns. And you help make lives better by supporting many of the programs and initiatives (it’s quite the list!) that help our community’s children and youth, families, newcomers, neighbourhoods and economic security.

You get something out of it too. Really. For starters, you’re out in the community doing something great for so many others... all with your employer's support. You polish your sales technique and build skills in customer service, public speaking, and teamwork. It's great for networking, too.

Want to learn more? If you’re interesting in being a sponsored employee, click here. If you’re interested in sponsoring someone, click here.

Lisa

Watch for our Guest Bloggers!

You already know how we at United Way feel about the work we’re doing to change community conditions for the better. When it comes to our desire to be change, make change and see change, we wear our hearts on our sleeves. (OK, so technically this message is on the front of our t-shirts, not the sleeve. But we digress…)

As it turns out, we’re not the only ones passionate about ensuring our community is a great place to live. Rather than tell you about these individuals, we thought we’d let a few of them speak for themselves.

So, be sure to watch for blogs from some special guests over the coming weeks and months. You never know who might show up!

Lisa Drew: Our Newsworthy New Campaign Chair

Have you heard? The latest voice of United Way of Kitchener Waterloo and Area – our new Campaign Chair - is 570 Morning News Anchor, Lisa Drew. Lisa is a radio ‘personality’ all right. With her cheerful disposition and vibrant, outgoing nature, she’s the perfect choice to rally support and motivate our community.

A long time supporter of United Way, Lisa has twice served as an Employee Campaign Coordinator for 570’s workplace campaigns. Successful at getting her colleagues into the United Way spirit, she looks forward to the challenge of extending her influence to other local workplaces. If anyone has the contagious spirit and enthusiasm to cheer on this community, it’s Lisa!

By the way, please join us in thanking Lisa’s predecessor, Victor Zamin from RBC Royal Bank, for his fabulous work as our Campaign Chair in 2008 and 2009. Victor now serves as the Chair of our Board of Directors.

Welcome!

Community Heroes. They're everywhere, and they're an integral component of the work United Way of Kitchener Waterloo and Area does to help change community conditions for the better. Many of these individuals are the tireless and dedicated people you find running workplace campaigns, volunteering on committees and helping out at special events. Others are the sponsors, donors, mentors and friends that lead by example and inspire others to care too.

The one thing all community heroes have in common? They represent the finest our community has to offer. They are passionate about helping the Kitchener Waterloo area thrive, and they understand that a strong social services sector is imperative to the creation of a vibrant and connected community.

Please join us in acknowledging some of the wonderful individuals making a difference where we live. And remember, everyone has it in them to be a community hero, including you!