November 2013 

Vol 5, Issue 11



United Way Connects
Tis the Season for Making Change
That festive time of year is almost here again, and everyone seems to be at their busiest! Christmas parties, photos with Santa, year end financials, shopping for gifts for your family and friends, sharpening the skates and so much more!  We're hoping you add to your list to make your 2013 charitable giving decisions. 

The gifts that you make now have a big impact not just now, but year round making positive changes happen for the community. We love the stories we hear from people getting into the spirit and making their financial contribution then also deciding to volunteer their time, or perhaps donate some toys or food. 

For the United Way fundraising campaign, we are currently at $1.475 million or $65% of the $2,250,000 goal.

If you have a story of how you are getting into the spirit of making change, we'd love to hear from you!
November has been a very busy month for United Way with two successful events held back to back.

The annual Sockey Night in Red Deer was held at the Enmax Centrium on November 15 and helped raise over $3,500 and hundreds of socks for Central Albertans. A huge thanks to our sponsors including the Red Deer Rebels, Telus, Redcore, Solace Salon at iHotel, Dave Brunner Fine Art Photography and CIBC for their help in making this a great event.

Once Sockey Night in Red Deer was wrapped up, the sold out annual Scotch Tasting quickly approached. On November 18, attendees gathered to sample 25 different Scotches while raising money for their community. In total, $15,000 was raised towards campaign. Thanks to the major sponsors including RBC, 100.7 FM The River, Liquor Crossing Wine Centre, CFI Foods Ltd., Big Bend Market, CIBC, Dave Brunner Fine Art Photography, Copies Now, Klein Design Inc., CORK'D Taphouse & Grill and Lahrmann Constuction Inc.

See here for more information on Sockey Night in Red Deer or the Scotch Tasting event.
The NOVA Chemicals' United Way campaign this year focused on participation and "superheroes" and that's exactly what they got. Their campaign yielded 511 superheroes participating at various levels. Leaders of the Way - employees and retirees who gave at the $1,000 and up level - increased to 131 from last year's 117.

Their current total is close to $645,000 as a result of additional donations raised this year. Since 1995 the NOVA Chemicals' annual United Way campaigns (including employee, retiree and matching corporate funds) are close to breaking through the $5 - million mark.

In addition to the financial support for the critical work the United Way agencies carry out in Central Alberta, 221 employees and leaders went out into the community as part of the United Way Day of Caring program. They lent a hand to 25 not-for-profit agencies with 41 assignments totaling more than 1700 volunteer hours, saving the agencies much needed manpower hours to direct toward agency programs. 

NOVA Chemicals' United Way campaign team presented a cheque in November to the CEO of United Way of Central Alberta Robert Mitchell. Their superheroes pulled through for another record-breaking campaign.

Other campaigns are reporting in and United Way staff and volunteers are always excited to see what the results are. Some other campaigns that are completed include Best Buy ($6,552), Future Shop ($9,548), Costco ($24,940), and Husky Energy ($50,000). Thank you again to everyone who has worked hard to make their workplace campaign a success.

getinvolved2Make A Difference By Volunteering 
United Way of Central Alberta depends on dedicated volunteers to make a difference in the community. Whether it involved the Campaign Committee, Community Impact Council or the Board of Directors, there is always an opportunity for those looking to get involved in a community organization.

United Way is currently recruiting for the Board of Directors to assist in the development of the United Way of Central Alberta's Strategic Plan and help in carrying it out. Members are asked to meet on a monthly basis (except in the summer), to serve on at least one committee of the board, and attend and represent the Board of United Way at events, such as Town Hall Meetings, Community Consultations, Campaign events and workshops.

If you're interested in joining the Board of Directors or would like more information, please contact Belinda Davies via ea@caunitedway.ca.
 
Supporting the community can give you that fuzzy feeling of knowing that you're helping others in need over the holiday season. In addition to helping, if you are a new donor or haven't contributed to a charity since 2007, you are now eligible for a Super Tax Credit. This will give first time charitable donors a 40% federal credit for the first $200 or less and 54% credit for amounts between $200 and $1,000.

For example, if you gave a $200 gift to United Way, you would receive $100 back in tax savings, through the Super Tax Credit. If you gave $1,000, you would receive $650 back in tax savings, meaning that you're $1,000 would have a lasting impact in Central Alberta and it would only cost you $350.

If you aren't eligible for the Super Tax Credit, you are still  entitled to a tax credit of 50% (29% federal tax credit plus 21% Alberta provincial tax credit) for any gift over $200.

didyouknow United Way Supports Frontline Service Workers

On November 6, United Way was a proud supporter of the Frontline

Natasha Peters, Central Alberta Women's Shelter, accepting her Frontline Service Award

Service Provider Awards, which recognizes employees who have made a significant contribution by working directly with individuals and families impacted by domestic violence and/or bullying. Award recipients were nominated by peers and had to work a minimum of 2 years within the City of Red Deer or Red Deer County. Winners received $600 towards professional development, provided by United Way of Central Alberta. 

 

Congratulations to Ruby Stones (the Outreach Centre) and Natasha Peters (Central Alberta Women's Emergency Shelter) on their Frontline Service Awards. Also, congratulations to Rita Wall (City of Red Deer - Social Worker in the Domestic Violence Unit of the RCMP) for her Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Do you know someone who is interested in working for a well recognized organization while giving back to their community? United Way is looking for an energetic individual to join us on a 12 month contract as a Resource Development Associate. Successful candidates will have a University Degree or College Diploma in Marketing or Communications and must have proven success in business and sales development.

See here for more details.
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In This Issue

Make A Difference By Volunteering

Thanks For Your Support

Photo Of The Month

Helping Youth Make Healthy Decisions

United Way Supports Frontline Service Workers

Did You Know...?
savethedateSave The Date
December 12, 2013
Red Deer Youth & Volunteer Centre United Way Bake Sale
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
4633 - 49 Street, Red Deer

January 16, 2014
Campaign Touchdown  
Details TBD
photoofthemonthPhoto Of The Month
Judilonne Beebe, Association of Communities Against Abuse
Congratulations to Judilonne Beebe, Executive Director of the Association of Communities Against Abuse for achieving a provincial Inspiration Award.

Judi has worn many different hats in her career, child and youth care counsellor, social worker, foster parent, and chairperson for the Camrose Women's Shelter. Judi has demonstrated a passion for building a strong and healthy community. She has been a key player in bringing educational group programming to men, women and children involved in, or affected by, family violence in the Stettler area.

For more details, see here.

'As adults, one can talk about the dangers, hazards and temptations of tobacco and other substances, but hearing the same information from a knowledgeable, trained high school student speaking out against tobacco is far more impactful, and much more believable particularly to a  middle school student. As a parent, I witnessed my son grow in many ways when he was in the Butt Ugly program. He gained research skills, a strong understanding of the effects of tobacco, of advertising and media and made a firm decision that he would not use tobacco products. He developed skills in group facilitation, improved his public speaking and presentation skills. I have had the opportunity to speak with students that recall attending Butt Ugly performances who reported that the program impacted their decision not to use tobacco products.'

- Laurel Mutch, RDC Counsellor and parent of high school leader whom helped deliver the program.  


...that 17% of youth in Alberta aged 15 to 19 smoke tobacco? Alberta Health Services reports that tobacco use costs society in direct and indirect healthcare costs, lost income due to premature death, disability, worker absenteeism, reduced productivity, fire damage and tobacco subsidies. In 2002, the cost to Albertans was $1.8 billion. Butt Ugly, a program supported by United Way of Central Alberta, involves high school students and young adult mentors in teaching middle school students about living a tobacco free life.