Year-Round Fundraising Efforts Strengthen Community Impact

With summer half over and the fall fast approaching, planning is well underway here at United Way KW for our annual workplace campaign.

I’ve had a few individuals approach me over the past year to inquire why we’re placing increased emphasis on year-round fundraising efforts, instead of just focusing on our popular fall workplace campaign. There are several very good reasons for this shift.

The philanthropy model we’ve used for many years - one based largely on workplace campaigns - limits our ability to raise increased funds. Our community is made up of many diverse types of workplaces and we know some individuals simply aren’t being reached through our traditional workplace campaign efforts. As well, some organizations find that fall just isn’t the right time of year for them to run a fundraising campaign.

So, while our fall workplace campaign continues to be our single largest - and most publicly recognized - method of fundraising, we’re also consciously stepping out of this historical campaign model to engage donors year-round. Through additional practices such as direct mail campaigns, special events, text-to-give, and sponsorship opportunities, we’re working aggressively to diversify revenue sources so we can expand our impact on community issues.

Cathy Snyder
CFO/CAO

Teledyne Dalsa Donates Social Media Student

Community Heroes abound! 
  
Be sure to check out the latest entry in our CEO's blog to learn more about two community heroes at Teledyne Dalsa - Patrick Myles and Neil Humphrey - and the unique program they've developed that's turning their co-op students into community heroes too!

Our 2011 Youth Campaign Chair: Keith Reinhart

Here at United Way KW, we strongly encourage youth to get involved in their community in a meaningful way. Doing so enriches not only their lives, but also the lives of many others.

This year, we’re upping the youth factor of our fall workplace campaign with the addition of a new volunteer position, that of Youth Campaign Chair. We’re thrilled that 22-year-old Keith Reinhart from Kitchener has agreed to be first in tackling this role.

Certainly no stranger to social media, Keith comes to us on the heels of an adventure-filled year as the 2010 Young & Free Ontario Spokesperson, part of a campaign sponsored by Libro Financial to lend a voice to Ontario youth 25 and under, particularly where financial matters are concerned.

A large part of Keith’s role involved blogging, tweeting and creating online videos, and we’re looking forward to him engaging in similar projects on our behalf.

You can learn more about Keith in the latest addition of our REACH newsletter. That's him on the cover, in fact. REACH is available online at http://www.uwaykw.org/.

Our 2011 Campaign Chair: James Chmiel

We’re pleased to announce that James Chmiel, a partner and President of Erb and Erb Insurance, will take on the volunteer role of 2011 Campaign Chair. James takes over the reigns from News570 radio personality Lisa Drew. Lisa set the bar very high with the fabulous job she did last year, but we know James is up to the challenge.

To acquaint you with James a little better, we’ve included a list of the top 10 things we think you should know about him in our latest edition of REACH newsletter. We won’t tell you all 10 right now, but here are the first two to get you started:

1. James was first introduced to United Way in 2003 when he joined Erb and Erb Insurance, one of our long-time supporters. That same year, James worked in the community on our behalf as a sponsored employee, an experience which he calls “phenomenal”.

2. James was named one of Waterloo Region’s 2011 Top 40 Under 40, an honour bestowed upon those individuals considered to be among the top young leaders in our community.

To learn more about James, be sure to check out the latest addition of REACH, available online now at http://www.uwaykw.org/.

OH Canada! My Care it Forward Family Challenge!

With Canada Day only a few days away, I thought I’d issue a “Care it Forward” challenge! I want each and every one of you to use the upcoming long weekend as an opportunity to do something caring as a family.

To give you some ideas, let me tell you about the two activities my family has planned for Canada Day weekend:

First, we’re planting a tree to replace one of the many trees in our region uprooted by the powerful winds and thunderstorms that swept through our area earlier in June.

Second, my family and I are going to pick up the litter in our neighbourhood park. This is an activity I do on a weekly basis with my 4 year old – part of my effort to ensure he grows up knowing the importance of pitching in and doing one’s part.

Remember, spend some quality time with your family this Canada Day weekend performing an act of caring. Then email me at mlagrotta@uwaykw.org to share your experience. If you can, send me a photo too.

By caring for our community, you’re also caring for this great country of ours. It’s where we live, work and play, and we need to take care of it.

I look forward to sharing my acts of caring next week!

Oh, and don’t forget to enjoy one of the fantastic fireworks displays this weekend, eh!

Meg

PS - If you're looking for some great reading material while you relax, check out the new edition of REACH. It's hot off the press!

2011 Edition of Reach Arrives

It's here!

  
The 2011 edition of REACH, our annual report to the community, is now available. There are a lot of Community Heroes inside!

Be sure to check out page 2 to learn more about our "Care it Forward" initiative. I'd love to have you get involved with this awesome project showcasing community spirit.

You can read REACH online or contact the United Way office to request a print copy.

Meg

Superheroes really do exist!

Like most children, I look at my dad and see a superhero. He really can do anything - still the strongest man I know. In the spirit of Father’s Day, I want to share why this day is so important to me.
 
Father’s Day is a special day for the Lagrotta girls. (Yes my dad was blessed with five fabulous girls, including my mom.)
 
My dad had the fight of his life from 1996 – 1998 when a very rare and aggressive type of lymphoma (neither Hodgkins nor non-Hodgkin’s) became his kryptonite. At the time, there was no known treatment and a very low survival rate.

I still remember him coming to my dance competition, very sick, to see me perform the solo I had dedicated to him and his cancer journey. The song was Leann Rimes’ “How do I live?” It’s the same song my father and I danced to on my wedding day a few years ago. With his indomitable spirit and incredible outlook on life, my father defied all odds and won his battle. He beat his kryptonite and lives life in remission.
  
My dad is one of those people who everybody knows and loves. He’s always helping neighbours and caring for others - especially his girls. He is happiest at the cottage with all of us, playing with his grandkids.
  
He is a walking miracle…and my real life super hero.
  
Happy Father’s Day, Dad!
  
Meg