Trick-or-treat

Hundreds of doors, several years and thousands of pieces of candy: that about sums up the first years of our Halloween experience. Every October 31st, we held out our arms as we shone with smiles singing “trick-or-treat” in hopes our favourite candy would fall into our pillow case. We held our arms out for the best chocolate, the best candy, the best chips and yes, even the best pop. Let’s face it; we were fortunate and we got the best out there. But now it’s our turn to give instead of get. It’s our turn make that difference, to put that smile on someone else’s face.
 
There’s no doubt about the fact that money is tight. Being a student is no multi-million dollar experience, but there are other ways to show support and make a difference in your community.

Volunteering is a great way to help those in need. Not only are you making a difference, you’re also acquiring skills and experience you can carry forward into your career. Future employers are always going to want to see the volunteer section on your resume, so why not beef it up with some community support? Give yourself the opportunity to stand out from the rest. Give yourself the opportunity to be the best.

Those hundreds of doors, several years and thousands of pieces of candy were part of our Halloween history. Now let’s make our Halloween present count. We held out our arms, we over indulged in candy and we knocked on every door with a light on. We were the “getters”, but now it’s time to be the givers. Give your time, give your skills, and give that same gleaming smile. Be a part of United Way KW, be a part of the change in your community.

Change is in Your Fingertips

Whether you’re employed full time or a student, accomplishing all your goals while juggling daily life can sometimes seem like the unthinkable, especially when final exams creep up on you or your boss gives you an unreasonable deadline. But once those goals are accomplished, it all seems worth it, like you’ve achieved something surreal or become the next superhero. That deep feeling of accomplishment feels pretty darn good, right?
  
Lately, I’ve discovered another way to feel a sense of accomplishment in addition to getting work done - helping my community through United Way KW. So has Conestoga College student Amanda Bilogrovic, who recently donated $5 through our “Give What You Can” text-to-give challenge. Here’s what she says about the experience: “As a student without a lot of money, I feel great knowing my one simple text message will improve someone’s life. The convenience of giving this way doesn’t hurt either!”

In recent years, Canadians have helped people around the world through text-to-give campaigns. These needs have mainly stemmed from people struggling to deal with natural disasters. For these countries, gratitude for the support received from Canadians is something that simply can’t be put into words.

Now, as the winter months approach and our warm coats and scarves come out from the back of our closets, it’s important to remember local needs as well. Cold weather means our shelters are becoming increasingly full. It also means that some individuals will have a harder time making ends meet. But most importantly, it means the KW area needs your help.

I asked Amanda what made her decide to donate to United Way for the first time and she responded with, “I’ve recently realized just how hard making it on your own really is, and how hard it must be for others as well. Individuals struggling to support a family or looking for a way out of an abusive relationship are the people who truly know how hard it is to make it on their own. I decided the people in my community are the ones who need my help. In the end, I decided to help my neighbours.”
  
Please, I encourage you to be change, make change, and see change by one simple action – text UCHANGE to 45678 to donate $5 to United Way KW. That’s right, you can help make a difference in our community by giving as little as five dollars. So please, take a short break from texting your friends, and text to make a difference instead. I guarantee you’ll feel that great sense of accomplishment.

Me? Superstitious? No way!

Hi, it’s me James Chmiel again, the 2011 United Way KW Campaign Chair.
 
Earlier this year, United Way KW took a look at the impact that could be achieved by surpassing last year’s revenue total of $5.3 million by 13%. Here are some of the great things we could provide:

• More support to help kids succeed in school, to be healthy, and free from abuse and neglect.
 
• Additional programs to help keep families strong.
 
• More focus on building neighbourhoods where people feel safe to live, learn, work and play.
 
• Increased efforts to ensure that newcomers to our community feel welcome and supported.
  
• Better opportunities for economic security.
  
Clearly, a 13% increase would do great things for our community. Based on last year’s $5.3 million, that would have meant a revenue goal of $5.89 million this year, but instead I rounded it up to an even $6 million.

In case this move makes me appear superstitious, I want to clarify that I have nothing at all against the number 13. I simply believe that $6 million is within our grasp. This community has a lot of heart. If we all work together, I KNOW we can get there.

Hosting a United Way Workplace Campaign? If not, why not?

Hi, I’m James Chmiel, the 2011 United Way KW Campaign Chair. Back in September, I announced this year’s revenue goal of $6 million. Enthusiasm and commitment from local workplaces have been fantastic so far. While we’re off to a great start, there are still many workplaces out there that aren’t running United Way campaigns. Some simply don’t know where to start, and others are under the misconception that it’s a lot of work to hold a campaign. I know if they found out how easy it is to help United Way KW bring about long term sustainable change in our community, they’d be on board in no time!
  
That’s where I’m asking for your help. Please, if your workplace doesn’t currently hold a United Way campaign, or if you know of other workplaces in our community that don’t hold one, help me spread the word about how easy it is to care.

Workplace campaigns offer a great opportunity for employees to come together as a team, build awareness of local social service needs and resources, and make a difference in their community by supporting the work United Way does to change community conditions for the better.

We know the need is there. By rallying together and encouraging all workplaces in our community to host United Way campaigns, we can help ensure that the dollars are there too.

More information about workplace campaigns is available at http://www.uwaykw.org/, or by calling United Way KW at 519-888-6100.

Celebrity Event Update - Special Guests Announced!

If you haven't taken a peek at the blog of our CEO Jan Varner lately, I highly recommend you do so, especially if you've been waiting in anticipation for more information about our ever-popular annual celebrity event.

As if having Lisa LaFlamme as our guest of honour isn't awesome enough, wait until you see who her special guests are for the evening!

This event always sells out, so don't wait. Get your tickets now!

Meg

Youth Challenge: Give What You Can

I’m Keith Reinhart, Youth Campaign Chair for United Way KW. I’m also a university student, so I get that cash can be tight when you’re in school. Making a big donation to United Way KW probably isn’t in the cards right now. But if you think that means you can’t do something good for our community, you’re wrong.

Every little bit helps. It’s a proven fact. So go ahead and keep your rent money, but how about going without a coffee every once in a while, or skipping that last drink you shouldn’t have had anyway? I know a way you can turn that small change into something really big.

Quiz time - what’s 600 X 5? Right, 3,000. More importantly, $3,000 to support those in need in our community if 600 of you text “UCHANGE” to 45678 to donate $5 to United Way KW. The amount gets added to your phone bill. (My grade school math teacher would be so proud if he saw this.)

So that’s the challenge I’m issuing to every youth in the KW area. I want 600 of you – at least 600 of you - to make that next message really count by texting “UCHANGE” to 45678 to donate $5 to United Way KW. Then text your friends and ask them to do the same. You’ll all be helping to create sustainable social change in our community.
 
Remember, text “UCHANGE” to 45678 to donate $5 to United Way KW. Don’t wait, do it today!

Keith
 
PS - Thanks to Libro Financial, our text-to-give sponsor, for making this challenge possible. I’ll report back soon and let you know how the challenge is going.

Checking in on Charity Fraud

It’s hard to tune into the news these days without hearing about some form or other of charity fraud. It’s not surprising then, that almost two thirds of Ontarians worry about charity fraud, and over half say they aren’t as likely to give as a result.

With this in mind, we want you to be confident that the funds you entrust to United Way KW are invested wisely in programs and initiatives that help improve social conditions in our community.

As the annual audited financial statements on our web site will attest, we are committed to being transparent and meeting all Canada Revenue Agency accounting principles and compliance requirements.

We encourage you to be an educated donor. Ensure that your gift goes to a genuine registered charity and is used for the purpose you intended. Check out www.uwaykw.org/give for three brief online videos by Canada Revenue Agency on the subject of charitable giving.

Cathy Snyder
CFO/CAO