Things are Heating Up!
|
We can't tell you just how excited we are to be able to help bring the Central Alberta community the 211 on-line service at www.ab.211.ca. This has been an on-going process for many years, but we believe it is well worth the effort. Our hope is to bring the phone service to our area within the next twelve months. If you haven't already, please take a moment to search for some resources in your community, and see what's available for you to learn about. In other news, the newly formed Kick Off Lunch committee is working out the details for the annual launch to the fundraising campaign on September 11th. Tickets will be available on-line Friday, June 27, so please visit us on-line before you take off for the long week-end! www.caunitedway.ca Have you noticed your in-box is full of e-mails asking for your consent to continue to send you e-mails? We have too, but you won't see one from us! An exception to the new rules have been made for non-profits, as this would severely hamper their ability to raise money. Federal officials have confirmed that the Canada Revenue Agency definition of "fundraising" will be used to determine which activities are exempt from Canada's Anti Span Legislation (CASL). This means direct and indirect fundraising activities, like donor recognition programs, are exempt from CASL. In addition, communication tools like newsletters and community reports, which don't have commercial content, are not subject to CASL. However, we always offer you the opportunity to unsubscribe if you do not wish to continue receiving our communications. Simply scroll to the bottom and click the "unsubscribe" button.
|
|
Central Alberta Launches 211
| |
On June 17 we launched 211 online service for Central Alberta residents. This new service will connect Central Albertans to a range of local social and community services,  as well as services across the province. Residents will now be able to access detailed information about social services in one place.
Information on 211 is organized by need, not who delivers the service, which makes the website that much easier to search. By going to the 211 website, individuals will be able to simply find the resources they are looking for with a few search terms instead of trying to work through complex networks.
211 has been in service with great success in Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, as well as Edmonton, Calgary and the Wood Buffalo Region within Alberta.
For more information about 211, click here.
|
Amazing Volunteer Service
|
The continuing effort of our volunteers was recognized at our Annual General Meeting on June 19th. Length of Service Awards are given annually to volunteers who have completed 3, 5, or 10 years of
 | |
United Way Central Alberta Board President Rick Van Hemmen and CEO Robert J. Mitchell present Lars Rogers with his 10 year award.
|
continuous service.
This year, Lars Rogers was recognized with a certificate for 10 years of support. Rick Van Hemmen, Belinda Davies, Heather Karst, and Leah Poole were all presented with certificates for 3 years of support. Thanks everyone for your outstanding and continued support!
|
|
Make a Difference With a Day of Caring™
| |
Help strengthen our community, sign up for a Day of Caring and make a difference in Central Alberta. Participating in a Day of Caring™ provides the opportunity to volunteer with agencies and see what impact they have in the community, and provides assistance to agencies without taking much needed money from their operating budget.
Participating in a Day of Caring™ can be as simple or as big as you want, such as helping deliver meals and groceries, reading to a child, or doing landscaping projects. After participating in a Day of Caring™
many companies continue to plan one each year as they are seeing the direct impact in the community, employees also come away with a positive experience.
If you are interest in participating in a Day of Caring™, call the United Way office at 403.343.3900.
|
|
|
United Way Central Alberta welcomed a new Vice-President to the Board at the AGM on June 19. Kerry Bales joined United Way in 2013 and was elected Vice-President with Belinda Davies for 2014-15. Kerry is the Senior Vice President of the Central Zone of Alberta Health Services. He will also be filling in as the interim treasurer as we look to fill the position for 2014-15.
Thank you to our 2014-15 Board of Directors who were elected at the AGM. Our Board of Directors for 2014-15 are: Rick Van Hemmen - President Belinda Davies - Vice President Kerry Bales - Vice President Cathy Peacocke, Angie Keibel, Rocco Schurink, and Darlene Wilson.
|
Come Out to Chair Sockey Night
| |
We are looking for a volunteer Committee Chair as well as committee members for the annual Sockey Night on November 15, 2014.
This event helps keep our community warm with a fun night out at a Rebels game. Through the sales of socks, raffles and collecting socks off the ice this event helps Central Alberta's most vulnerable as winter sets in.
To volunteer for the Sockey Night Committee call the United Way office at 403.343.3900.
|
Funding Provides Prenatal Care
One of the Outreach Workers from Central Alberta AIDS Network (CAANS) has been working in the in the Rocky Mountain House area over the past year to promote harm reduction strategies.
While working in the community, a young pregnant mom came each week to talk about family, a miscarriage two years prior, and the drug situation in her community. Due to the earlier loss of a baby this pregnancy was considered high-risk and she wanted to make the best choices for her child.
The soon-to-be mom was scheduled for a caesarean section and moved to Red Deer the week prior to her scheduled delivery date. While in Red Deer, the Outreach Worker and this young woman connected every few days.
During a visit to the new mom, she expressed her gratitude for the support she received, and her concerns about returning to her community with the baby. Plans were made to follow-up with her after she returned home to provide support as she continued making safe choices for herself and her newborn.
CAANS is able to continue supporting people in the community such as this new mom due to funding from United Way Central Alberta.
|
|
|
 |
|
Save The Date
|
ECC Training Aug 13, 2014
Kick Off Luncheon Sept 11, 2014
Sockey Night Nov 15, 2014
Scotch Classic Nov 20, 2014
|
Photo Of The Month
| |
Roxann Good and Gwen Clarke at the Women of Excellence Awards. Roxann was nominated as a Woman of Excellence in 2012, and Gwen won for Business and Professional Division this year.
Both are long time volunteers and supporters of United Way. A long list of this years' nominees and winners are past or current volunteers with our organization, including Linda Wilson, Delta Rempel, Belinda Davies, Valdene Callin, BJ Tumanut, Cindy Jeffries and Sherri Smith.
|
|
| |
June 27 is Canadian Multiculturalism Day. United Way invests in many agencies that support the diverse population in Central Alberta, such as the Red Deer Native Friendship Society.We celebrate the contributions that create our diverse community.
|
Your Dollars at Work
When you donate to United Way you are helping people in your community improve their lives.
$50 ensures that Aboriginal students have access to parking so they can participate in pre-employment and life skills development programming
$500 provides basic furnishings and a new home start-up kit to an individual or family who are being supported to have secure housing
$1,000 provides a training session for 5-10
immigrant participants on essential skills for appropriate employment
|
|
|
|
