If you could make a difference, would you?

Many of you have already taken that first step towards making a difference, and I thank you for helping United Way KW build a brighter future for our community. Let’s take it one step further by becoming as involved as we possibly can be. After all, the best way to see the difference is to be part of the change.
 
What would you like to do to make a difference in our community? Tweet your ideas to me at @KeithReinhart and let your voice be heard!

United Way KW really appreciates the support young people have shown so far, but I think we can do better. United Way KW is currently falling behind on its targeted revenue goal, which means our community may not receive all of the support it needs. So I ask you again, if you could make a difference, would you?

If you haven’t already, please take that first step. Be change, make change and see change with one simple action- text UCHANGE to 45678 to donate $5 to United Way KW.

It’s official, by the way, I’m back for another year. I’ve really been enjoying my role as Youth Campaign Chair for United Way KW, so when they offered to let me stick around for another year, I jumped at the chance. Quite literally, that is. I’m a big fan of jumping.

I’m also a big fan of the work United Way KW is doing to help our community remain healthy and strong, which is why I’ll be continuing on with my text-to-give campaign. Just one more reminder before I sign off…

Text UCHANGE to 45678 to donate $5 to United Way KW, and make a difference today!

Reach out and help your community

With a struggling worldwide economy triggering challenges at the local level as well, United Way KW recently voiced concern and worry for our community.
  
At a time of increased demand for social services, forecasts show that only $4.9 million of the $6 million revenue goal set in September will be brought in through fall workplace campaigns. Our CEO, Jan Varner, recently told the media that there is “an overall downward trend in the funds pledged,” which is cause for concern.

Shelters and emergency services have only become busier as more individuals and families come to depend on them. Our local Food Bank is also experiencing an increase in families needing assistance and, unfortunately, a decrease in food being donated. These facts all point to one thing - our community needs our help.

We’ve all heard the saying “one person can make a difference,” but how many times have we ignored this sentiment or questioned if it’s actually possible? I know I have many times.

I never would have believed that I, one individual, could benefit my community. I’m just an ordinary youth living in the KW area. I shop at the same places as you. I eat at the same places as you. Heck, we might have even met.

Simply put, I now realize I couldn’t have been more wrong. I now know that I can make a difference, and so can you. I encourage you to take that next step. Don’t be a bystander at a time when our community needs your help. Be change, make change and see change by taking one simple action. Text UCHANGE to 45678 to donate $5 to United Way KW and help your community today. For more ideas on how you can help, visit http://www.uwaykw.org/.

Dream Auction offers unique twist to online holiday shopping

This holiday season, United Way KW encourages you to give your loved ones an unforgettable gift that benefits our whole community.

If you're looking for the perfect Christmas gift - one that stands out from the rest and officially earns you the title of “Best Gift Giver of the Year” - you won’t want to miss the opportunity to bid in the 2011 edition of our Online Dream Auction.

As James Chmiel, our 2011 United Way KW Campaign Chair, explains, “We’ve taken your typical auction and transformed it into an opportunity to have the experience of a lifetime. Think back to your childhood dreams of what you wanted to be when you grew up. This auction provides a chance to make those dreams come true, either for yourself or for someone dear to your heart.”

Included among the many auction packages available are the chance to be police chief for a day, opportunities to be a talk show host or food critic on local radio, and the chance to play hockey with the Kitchener Rangers. These and many other dreams are only a bid away.

Whether it’s a well-deserved holiday gift for yourself, or something unique for that hard-to-shop-for person on your list, you'll find something for everyone.

In the spirit of the holiday season comes one more festive detail - all proceeds from the United Way KW Dream Auction will help support social service needs in our community. Afterall, the holiday season is the perfect time to help make a difference for someone in need.

Bidding starts Tuesday November 29th at 9 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. on Wednesday November 30th. Bids can be placed at http://donateuway.com/auction or directly through the United Way KW web site at http://www.uwaykw.org/.

Dare to Dream!

If you could do anything you wanted to for a day, what would you do? Host a radio show? Play hockey with the Kitchener Rangers? Take over as police chief? Hit the spa in a limo?
  
United Way KW is pleased to be hosting an ONLINE DREAM AUCTION on November 29 & 30, 2011.
Place a winning bid, and you'll not only make your own dreams come true, you'll also help fulfill the dreams of those in need in our community.

There are lots of great packages to bid on, and with the holiday season coming up, it's a great opportunity to get a great gift for somone special on your list! For more information, visit http://www.uwaykw.org/.
 
Meg

Breakfast - no, make that lunch - with Jeff

I took leave of our wonderful community recently to visit Toronto and have lunch with Jeff Hutcheson, whom I know needs no introduction for anyone in the KW area. He may be working in Toronto now on Canada AM, but we still consider Jeff our hometown sports and weather hero.

Did I mention Jeff is hosting our annual Celebrity Event honouring Lisa LaFlamme at Fed Hall on November 25th? I was meeting with him to go over details for the event.

I'm not sure who was more excited, myself or my 5 year old son, who squealed with delight when I pointed to Jeff on TV and said that was who I was meeting for lunch later that day.

Jeff Hutcheson

Like many Canadians, every weekday morning my family watches Jeff and the rest of the Canada AM team while we eat breakfast and get ready to start our day. I have to admit, when I was younger I always wished we could be one of the families Jeff joined for breakfast in their home while hosting his segment of the show. I'm also particularly fond of the "things" Jeff finds on the internet to share with his viewers.

Back to Toronto... a colleague and I met Jeff at a sports restaurant, which I thought was very fitting. He is just as fun and easy-going in person as he is on TV. I can't give too much away about our discussion, but let's just say our upcoming celebrity event is one evening you do not want to miss! Remember, it's Friday November 25th at 7 p.m. at Fed Hall. More information and tickets are available at http://www.uwaykw.org/. Hope to see you there!   Meg

Don’t forget where you came from

Keith Reinhart
2011 Youth Campaign Chair

“Don’t forget where you came from.” - Justin Bieber

You’ve heard it before, “there’s no place like home,” and Justin Bieber’s home is no exception. Our own local Canadian celebrity recently donated a whopping $10,000 to the Stratford Food Bank. Now, Stratford may not be the city we live in, but I feel it is the perfect topic for this week’s blog. Even a multi-million dollar pop star like Justin comes back to his hometown roots because he knows from personal experience what it’s like to depend on community support.

It’s natural for some to have a cynical reaction to this latest donation. I mean, Justin has performed with some of the biggest musicians around such as Usher and Rihanna. He has also sold millions of albums and has a net worth of $85 million. But it was only a few years ago that this young star and his family relied on help from the Stratford community. In Justin’s movie biopic, Never Say Never, he vividly recalls going to the food bank with his mom. Despite those earlier struggles, however, Justin made it to where he is now.

Even if you haven’t performed in front of millions of screaming fans or been photographed with your celebrity girlfriend, you have something in common with Justin.

We all want the best for our families, friends and community. A lot of times we see people in need and wish we could do more to help. It is important to remember however that helping doesn’t take a lot. Food bank demands have greatly increased, with more people needing food and less food to give out. Every little bit counts. $5 may not mean much to you, but it can mean the world to someone else. Whether it’s five boxes of macaroni and cheese or a frozen pizza, that five dollars just made a difference. That five dollars just helped feed a family.

I wish I could say I’ve performed alongside some of the best artists like Justin has, but I guess he and I will just have to be alike in another way. I’ve made the step to help my home community, and now you have the opportunity to do the same. Be change, make change, and see change with one simple action - text UCHANGE to 45678 to donate $5 to United Way KW. If you want to do even more to help your community, you’ll find some great ideas online at http://www.uwaykw.org/.