 United Way Says Thank You
In January we announced to the community that together we raised an astounding $2,115,067 surpassing our Campaign goal by leaps and bounds. We could not have done this without the businesses, employees and caring community members who worked so hard to make this year's campaign a success. Thanks to the generous sponsorship of The Red Deer Advocate, we were able to do a two page thank you ad recognizing companies and their employees for their participation and hard work. This is only one small token of our appreciation for all the work that everyone does to help make our community a better place to live. |
Thank You To Our Client Ambassadors
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If you've seen our Campaign video, or hosted a workplace presentation, chances are you've heard the story of someone who has faced a life changing struggle and has overcome and achieved success. These are our Client Ambassadors and they volunteer their time year round to share their impactful stories of how your donations changed their lives, without them, we couldn't fully illustrate how each person could make a difference in their community. Thank you to each of our Ambassadors for their ongoing volunteerism and for sharing their powerful stories with all of us.  Carla SchneiderDaniel DelormeErin UsinskiLinda ShepherdBarry Weatherall Erin Usinski is one of our dedicated Client Ambassadors who came to know United way through her son, Simon. As an infant, Simon developed normally but began to change by 18 months: his speech diminished and he was losing interest in play. Medical testing resulted in a diagnosis of Autism. As a result, Simon was referred to a United Way funded agency that educates children and helps kids with special needs. Their staff arranged therapy and helped Erin build a care network that supports her entire family's needs. Simon has gone from no speech or socialization skills to spontaneous speech and their family is growing stronger each and every day. |
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Every year, United Way staff and volunteers gear up for the Campaign Kick Off, an event where community leaders, our most engaged companies, volunteers and other supporters gather around and celebrate the start of the Campaign season.To ensure that this event is successful, we are looking for fun, energetic and organized volunteers to join this year's planning committee. If you're looking to meet new people, help your community and have a little fun along the way, contact the United Way office at 403.343.3900 for more details. 
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Who Would Have Thought Wearing Jeans Would Be Good For The Community?
| Special events are a great way to infuse your workplace with energy, create awareness and boost employee morale. Of course, they are also great fundraisers, but the real value is the excitement and momentum they create and some can be sustained year-round, like "Dress This Way For United Way" promotion.
Some companies, like our friends at Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the City of Red Deer, encourage their employees, in addition to a workplace campaign, to purchase a "Dress This Way for United Way" sticker for $2 for AHS, which would allow them to wear Jeans on a Wednesday. This not only raises funds for their United Way campaign year-round but also increases employee moral because who doesn't love to wear jeans in the middle of the week while helping a great cause?
If you're interested in learning more about this initiative, please contact our office and we would love to answer any questions that you may have.
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Employee Participation Awards
| The 2012 Employee Awards were presented at the \Touchdown event and recognized employee campaigns based on the percent of participation and dollars raised per capita. Congratulations to all the award winners in each category.
Bronze Award: 65% participation
Agrium
Gold Award: 75% participation
Scott Kia
Wel-Can Welding and Fabrication Ltd
Excellence Award: 100% participation
Canadian Western Bank
Costco
Evraz
Gord Scott Nissan
United Way of Central Alberta
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What Your Donation Buys For Our Community
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$50 - sends one child who's witnessed violence to a group counseling program
$100 - will buy 50 adult bus passes to enable people living in poverty to get to their appointments
$250 - provides 8 - $50 grocery cards to help families in emergency situations
$1,000 - provides a10 week support group for women of domestic violence to learn the skills for maintaining healthy relationships
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Save The Date
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May 7, 2013
United Way Town Hall
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Golden Circle
4620 47A, Red Deer
June 20, 2013
United Way AGM
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Photo of the Month
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Councillor Lynne Mulder accepting her Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Award, presented by United Way President Rick VanHemmen at the Touchdown event. Lynne has been a long-time supporter of United Way and spent many years volunteering, including Campaign Chair in 1999 and Board member from 2000 to 2005. Lynne's in-depth involvement and knowledge of United Way also led her to be selected to sit on the National Board of United Way of Canada where she represented Alberta for 6 years. Lynne now sits on the United Way Advisory Committee with a number of other past chairs and community leaders.
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Jane's Story"Jane," a 35-year old woman with two children, had been involved in a domestically violent relationship with her common-law partner in a rural Central Alberta town. Jane finally decided it was time to leave and took her children to the Women's Shelter. There she was able to contact Central Alberta Women's Outreach Services, a United Way funded agency. Support staff met with her and began to assist her in planning for a healthier family life, with hopes to one day return to their community safely. She participated in programs and received the support she needed, including housing at Juliettas Place. Outreach staff provided Jane emotional support, assistance in clarifying her options, and locating legal, financial and psychological resources for herself and her children. Staff accompanied her to court regarding custody and access issues and assisted her when her partner found her and began to stalk and threaten her. Although Jane's partner continues to harass her, Jane says that she feels as prepared as she can be because she has rebuilt her supports in her community. Her son sleeps through the night and her daughter is no longer afraid to bring her friends home anymore. The family is beginning to develop a sense of peace and order.
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You Don't Have To If You Don't Want To
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Contrary to many beliefs you don't have to run a workplace campaign during the "traditional" campaign period (September to December) if that doesn't work for your company. For example, Wel-Can Welding and Fabrication Ltd. ran their campaign in January and Farm Credit Canada is running theirs in February.
United Way staff will support you whenever you decide to do a campaign. Just be sure to let us know your time-frame and requirements so that we can support you.
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