Lisa Drew - some final words from our 2010 Campaign Chair

We at United Way love the message our 2010 Campaign Chair, Lisa Drew from News570, posted on her blog this morning. With her permission, we're re-blogging it here. Lisa did a fabulous job as Campaign Chair, and we can't thank her enough for her support and enthusiasm.

I have just wrapped up my stay at the United Way of K-W and Area, as the fall workplace Chair for 2010. A huge thank you to all involved. Starting with Jan Varner.

I will never forget what I have learned, and seen, and the many new friends I have made, and their stories. My eyes were opened so much more, and like the Grinch, my heart has grown a few more sizes. And I thought I had a pretty good sized heart to begin with, and had a good handle on what is really going on locally.

Thanks for helping us spread the word, bring new community members on board, and for giving-all to make change in our community, really right here in our neighbourhood.

So many workplaces came through. Really came through. Like Jacquie and Vivian and their huge team at Equitable. The Employees and management at Economical, Sun Life, and Clemmer Steelcraft Techonologies and the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario were among those saluted on Friday for their outstanding campaigns at the Community Spirit Awards. Thanks to Chief Matt Torigian for his time and efforts, and agreeing to be toasted last fall on behalf of United Way.

Our final total? $5.2 million! Not quite hitting our $6-million dollar challenge issued last fall, but it’s still a big number. We have to be proud of that number for so many reasons. But will it be enough to carry forward close to a 100 agencies and programs? We will know in the next few months.

As United Way’s CEO Jan Varner says ” we cheer, yet worry”. $5.2 million is a great accomplishment, ...but the dollars raised are not enough to meet the social needs right here in our community.

I hope the dollars continue to come in. I know they will. And I know we living and working here in Waterloo Region can do more. As I’ve said again and again over the past few months, if you haven’t been personally touched by the United Way, there’s a very good chance that a family member, coworker or neighbour has.

We all are the United Way.

Thanks to my bosses for their support of the campaign, the extra on-air coverage, and being totally okay with my empty seat in the newsroom, many days after 9am.

James Chmiel takes over as this year’s Campaign Chair. He’s part of the United Way cabinet, a partner and President of Erb and Erb Insurance, and made this year’s Top 40 under 40 list. Let’s cheer him on.

Lisa