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

United Way KW’s Commitment to Accessibility

In honour of this week, May 29th to June 4th, being National Access Awareness Week, I thought it fitting to highlight the effort United Way KW is making in this regard.
 
What exactly does accessibility mean and why does it matter? As the Access Waterloo Region web site explains, “People with disabilities regularly face barriers that prevent them from working, traveling in and enjoying their communities. Seniors also experience barriers to activities as part of the natural aging process. Ontario's accessibility standards will break down these barriers so that people of all ages and abilities can more easily live, work and travel throughout the province.”

National Access Awareness Week brings attention to the ongoing need for improved accessibility for people with disabilities. It’s also a time to acknowledge and thank those organizations that are making an effort and doing their part.

At United Way KW, we’re committed to making our region a great place to live for everyone. We want our community to be accessible and inclusive for all.

When it comes to communications, our goal is to connect with persons with disabilities in a manner that takes into account special needs and unique circumstances, including the use of assistive devices. We are working toward ensuring that our communications policies, practices and procedures are consistent with the core principles of independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity.

This is an ongoing process, and we welcome your comments and suggestions. Please direct any feedback and inquiries to myself at 519-886-6100 ext. 254 or csnyder@uwaykw.org.
 
Cathy Snyder
Chief Financial Officer

West Avenue Residents Inspire My "Care it Forward" Journey

One of the main reasons I was so excited to embark on my “Care it Forward” journey was so I could inspire other people in KW to give their time by showing them just how easy it is to make a difference.

Well, last week I was the one getting inspired! A story appeared in the Waterloo Region Record entitled “Residents work to take back neighbourhood, honour slain friend”. (http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/527160--residents-work-to-take-back-neighbourhood-honour-slain-friend)

The article references the terrible tragedy that took place last New Year’s Eve when John Ferreira was senselessly killed on the Iron Horse trail and the residents of West Avenue in Kitchener lost a dear friend and neighbour.

From that terrible event, something wonderful has transpired. The residents of John Ferreira’s neighbourhood are now pulling together to reclaim and restore their once safe and prosperous community. Their goal is to change public perceptions about living in downtown Kitchener, while deterring and reducing crime in their own backyard.

Now that’s inspiring! This story demonstrates that by coming together for the common good, we can bring about positive change in our community. All we need to do is get started!

Thank you, residents of West Avenue in Kitchener, for role modeling change in your neighbourhood and showing others how to “Care It Forward”. You are all Community Heroes, and I applaud your efforts.


Meg

PS. Do you have a similar story to tell? If so, be sure to let me know at mlagrotta@uwaykw.org or 519-888-6100 x232. I want to make sure all of our unsung Community Heroes get the congratulations and recognition they deserve.