Bankers’ Challenge Raises $3,000

Local bankers shed their suits and ties in favour of sweatbands, running shoes and tricycles, all to raise funds for the United Way of Guelph & Wellington.

The Bankers’ Challenge for the United Way was held November 25, at Old Quebec Street Mall. Teams from CIBC, RBC, Scotia Bank and TD Canada Trust took part in the four-person tricycle relay. 

In the end, the event raised $3,000.  Several prizes were awarded, with RBC taking the prize for best costume for their gold antenna and capes.

Thanks to the Guelph Chamber of Commerce for their help in arranging this event.

 

Rallying for the United Way with The Kramdens

Guelph-based rockers The Kramdens played a free lunchtime concert on November 17 in St. George’s Square in downtown Guelph.  The concert is to celebrate the success of the United Way of Guelph & Wellington’s annual fundraising campaign to date and to raise awareness of the funds still needed.

“Hundreds of individuals and businesses throughout this community have already shown great support to the United Way campaign this year, which has already raised over $1 million,” said Ken Dardano, executive director of the United Way.  “This is a great start, but with the needs in the community increasing, we must make sure we reach our target of $2.65 million.”

Starlight Film Festival sees Hundreds of Students in Attendance

Movies, popcorn and video games were enjoyed by hundreds of local high school students who attended this year’s Starlight Film Festival hosted by our local Galaxy  Cinemas. This all-night movie night raised $7,000 toward this year’s campaign. A special thank you to Galaxy Cinemas and their staff for once again hosting this annual event! Also, thank you to the many sleepless volunteers that stayed up all night to ensure a safe and fun event for all! 

 

Campaign Closing Celebration

Employee Campaign Coordinators (our tireless army of volunteer fundraisers!), and other supporters of the United Way of Guelph & Wellington will come together December 9 for a celebratory luncheon at the Delta Hotel in Guelph.  Campaign awards for best campaign coordinators, pacesetting workplaces, enthusiastic spirit and funds raised will be announced, along with the total funds raised in the 2009 campaign,

Thanks to the Delta Guelph Hotel and Conference Centre, The Co-Operators and McNeil Consumer Healthcare for their generous sponsorship of this event.

A celebratory luncheon for the University of Guelph campaign – which set a fundraising target of $500,000 this year – will be held at the University Centre on December 1.

 

Well-Being of Children Report Card Released

"The Well-Being of Children Birth to Six: A Report Card for Wellington-Dufferin and Guelph” was released November 17, 2009.

United Way Social Planning staff are members of the coalition that developed the report card.

The report card identifies areas of strength and weakness for young children and their parents in our community.  It provides data on children’s health, readiness for school, quality of life and also the supports available to parents. 

Poverty Elimination Task Force Receives Funding to Continue its Work

The Guelph-Wellington Task Force for Poverty Elimination has received $84,000 in funding from the Joint Social Services Committee of the County of Wellington and the City of Guelph.  The funds will support staffing, allowing the task force to continue to develop and engage in its mission to reduce the numbers of people living in poverty with a vision to innovative, collaborative and inclusive long-term initiatives.

In the coming months, the task force will be continuing its work coordinating poverty reduction initiatives.  On-the-ground initiatives, including two pilot community gardens, guidelines for running community kitchens and spring workshop on living on less, are being planned.

New Look for the United Way Website

We’ve updated the look of our website!  Take a moment to look around the new site.  You’ll find information on news and events, our research publications and campaign materials.

 
Your Donations still Needed

Despite the generous response from our community, your donations are still needed!  With the downturn in our economy, several of our agencies are reporting that more people are coming to them for help. If you can, please give generously today by donating online or by calling 519-821-0571 x 28.

 
 Thank you!

To all the supporters of the United Way of Guelph & Wellington, THANK-YOU.  Your generous support – be it of your time, your money or your kind words about our work -- is very much appreciated.  Thank you for believing in your community; for believing in possibility.