Message from Connie Smith, 2011 Hamilton Campaign Chair

What an unforgettable experience these past many months have been!

As a journalist, I have always been attracted to stories that inspire: stories of people who have overcome adversity, unimaginable obstacles and challenges to give hope to others.

In covering these stories I was most often led to the charitable organizations that are the first lines of defense when tragedy, or crisis strikes or need presents itself. After becoming involved with the United Way, I was astounded to learn that most of the programs offered by these organizations are funded by the United Way.

I have spent many hours, days and weeks visiting corporate board rooms, lunch rooms and plant floors not to mention fundraisers and special events where individuals from all walks of life and means have touched me beyond words with their compassion, unbridled determination and generosity. All along the way, teams of dedicated United Way volunteers and highly skilled staff have been there to lead the way and offer a helping hand, long after the end of most business days.

Perhaps most inspirational of all have been those in need themselves who have put their personal challenges aside to help one another.

Our goals to change poverty into possibility, help children be all they can be and empower healthy people to build strong communities are being accomplished because the Burlington and Greater Hamilton community understands the power of one. It is a lesson I will carry with me always.

Message from Rick Bashista, 2011 Burlington Campaign Chair

Each one of us is a vehicle for change and United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton unites us as we work together to bring change to the lives of children, individuals, families and seniors in our community.

2011 saw our two great communities of Burlington and Hamilton work together with one mission – to bring hope and change to those in-need – be it with a meal, shelter, companionship, clothing, counseling or healthcare.

The United Way has proven its sound business practices in all areas: goal setting, advertising, promotion and reporting, full transparency, commitment to staff and volunteers – all executed to create lasting change in our communities. This is an organization that is so well positioned to teach us business and life lessons for success. I encourage all involved to dig deeper and become more involved and for those that are not yet part of the United Way family – simply call us and find out how you can, ‘Give, Act, Volunteer.’

2011 was also a year of change for me personally. In honour of my Father, I went on to carry the United Way flag as this year’s Burlington Campaign Chair. My father taught me so much about helping others and for that, I thank him with all of my heart.

Now, at the end of the 2011 Campaign, it is obvious caring and compassion have reached new record levels in this community. I would like to thank everyone involved for all that you have done, and continue to do to create change in our community.

During the first period of the Hamilton Bulldogs game, the United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton announced the final results of their 2011 Campaign – $6,912,000 ($4,819,000 in Hamilton and $2,093,000 in Burlington).

Leading the celebration was Burlington Campaign Chair, Rick Bashista and Hamilton Campaign Chair, Connie Smith.

“The positive energy shown throughout this campaign by thousands of volunteers and donors in hundreds of workplaces throughout Burlington and Hamilton was inspiring”, said Bashista.  “It is overwhelming to see what can happen when people come together in support of the programs and services that are so vital to the health of our community”

“These past months have taken us into board rooms, meeting rooms, lunch rooms, into hospital lecture halls and on to plant floors”, said Smith.  “I’ve met CEO’s and corporate leaders who believe in social responsibility and walk the talk, union leaders and plant managers who galvanize their teams and co-workers around a cause, individuals on the street of all ages, from all walks of life and all means who step up to the plate with whatever they can, offering a hand to a stranger, asking only for a smile in return”.

“Without a doubt this campaign was a tough one.” said United Way Burlington & Greater Hamilton CEO, Len Lifchus.  “It was a combination of many things that impacted this year’s campaign.  We are very proud of our accomplishments and the fact that we are the only charity in Hamilton and Burlington that has consistently raised over six million dollars every year, over the past five years, to benefit the lives of over 200,000 of our residence. We are most grateful to Connie, Rick, their Campaign Cabinets, our Board of Directors and the thousands of workplace volunteers who gave so unselfishly of themselves.” 

The Hamilton Bulldogs and the United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton formed a community partnership early on in the year. The Bulldogs Foundation entered into a text giving fundraiser with the organization, encouraging mobile users to text ‘uwaybh’ to 45678 to make a $10 donation. The Bulldogs also showed their support to the 2011 Campaign by collecting pennies for United Way’s Pennies for Change fundraiser, providing tickets to United Way funded program recipients and finally, hosting the organizations Evening of Celebration and final campaign announcement.

“The Bulldogs are truly a community team – we love being here in Hamilton and we love giving back to our fans and supporters,” said Brian Lewis, Bulldogs Foundation Executive Director. “Partnering with United Way was a natural fit for us, and we’re excited to be a part of the big reveal.”

The United Way 2011 Campaign kicked off in September with a goal to raise $6,999,999.99.

“The United Way family – our Board of Directors, Campaign Cabinet and Chairs, staff, volunteers and our fantastic donors – have been working exceptionally hard to raise funds throughout our 2011 Campaign,” said Len Lifchus, United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton’s CEO. “We cannot wait to announce our final campaign results on February 17^th.”

Tickets are only $15. To order, call 905-527-4543 or email LSchwarzbach@uwaybh.ca. Thursday, February 16 at noon will be the last day to order tickets, so be sure to order now!

With one week left in the 2011 Campaign we have raised $6,897,000 – just $103,000 short of reaching our target.

With that said – we have still raised a substantial amount for our two communities! We can be happy and celebrate that.

We are thankful to those that have supported the United Way and in turn this community to get us to this point, but we will continue to push to reach our goal in this final week because there is always more to be done.

The more we push, the MORE food we put on tables, the MORE shirts we put on backs and the MORE hope we instill in hearts.

If you would like to directly help those in-need in your community, donate today and be the change you wish to see in your community: 

• By Phone: 905-527-4543
• Online: http://www.uwaybh.ca/ways-to-donate/donate-online/
• In Person: 177 Rebecca Street, Hamilton, ON L8R 1B9 or 429 Elizabeth Street, Unit C, Burlington, ON L7R 2L8

Please read on to see the Community Spirit Awards 2011 winners:

• 2011 Rising Star: Barton Auto Parts, McMaster Innovation Park, Natural Resources Canada, Ontario Provincial Police, Public Health Ontario Laboratory, Sheraton Hamilton Hotel, SFS intec, Inc.
• 2011 Hamilton Workplace Campaign of the Year, Under 100 Employees:  Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers, USW 4153
• 2011 Hamilton Workplace Campaign of the Year, Over 100 Employees: Harris Rebar, Iron Workers Local 834
• 2011 Burlington Workplace Campaign of the Year, Under 100 Employees:  Newalta
• 2011 Burlington Workplace Campaign of the Year, Over 100 Employees: The CUMIS Group Limited
• 2011 Hamilton  Employee Campaign Chair of the Year: Debbie Shields & Lee-Ann Wild, Canada Revenue Agency
• 2011 Burlington Employee Campaign Chair of the Year: Gord Savelli, Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital
• 2011 Agency Campaign of the Year: YWCA of Hamilton
• 2011 Hamilton Community Event of the Year: Kings Buffet
• 2011 Burlington Community Event of the Year: Burlington Mall, Christmas Gift Wrapping
• 2011 McMaster University Workplace Leadership Giving Award: Canada Revenue Agency, PIPSC & PSAC
• 2011 Student Spirit Award: St. Gabriel Catholic School, Halton Catholic District School Board
• 2011 United Way Union Spirit Award, Hamilton & District Labour Council
• 2011 Innovation Award: U.S. Steel Canada, Take Twenty Initiative
• 2011 Gallery of Distinction Award: Cogeco Cable Inc.
• 2011 ArcelorMittal Dofasco Community Builder Award: The Hamilton Spectator
• 2011 Ten Year Platinum Award: Burlington Hydro Inc. IBEW 636, Ecodyne Limited, JAN Kelley Marketing, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Scotia Private Client Group

At an event like the Community Spirit Awards, it becomes clear, caring and compassion have reached new record levels in our community. The United Way family (Campaign Cabinet, Chairs, Board and Staff) would like to thank everyone listed below for all they have done, and continue to do to create change in our community.

RISING STAR OF THE YEAR
The Rising Star Award is presented to organizations who organized an outstanding first-time workplace campaign.

2011 Recipients:

Barton Auto Parts
McMaster Innovation Park
Natural Resources Canada
Ontario Provincial Police
Public Health Ontario Laboratory
Sheraton Hamilton Hotel
SFS intec, Inc.

WORKPLACE CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR – HAMILTON
This award is presented to companies and affiliated unions, which exemplify teamwork, leadership and community involvement.

2011 Nominees:

UNDER 100 EMPLOYEES

Canada Border Services (Customs and Immigration Unions; Public Service Alliance of Canada)
KPMG
Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (USW 4153)
Toromont Industries Inc.

OVER 100 EMPLOYEES

Canada Revenue Agency (PIPSC; PSAC)
Harris Rebar (Iron Workers Local 834)
McMaster University (CUPE 3906; C.A.W. Local 555; SEIU Local 2; IUOE Local 793)
The Hamilton Spectator (GCC Teamsters Local 100M; CEP Local 87M)

WORKPLACE CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR – BURLINGTON
This award is presented to companies and affiliated unions, which exemplify teamwork, leadership and community involvement.

2011 Nominees:

UNDER 100 EMPLOYEES

Ecodyne Limited
Fern Hill School
Newalta

OVER 100 EMPLOYEES

Hadrian Manufacturing Inc.
Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital (CUPE; OPSEU and ONA)
The CUMIS Group Limited

EMPLOYEE CAMPAIGN CHAIR OF THE YEAR
This award is presented to the campaign co-ordinator(s), which exemplify teamwork and leadership, while achieving excellent fundraising success and high levels of participation through their workplace campaign.

2011 Nominees:

HAMILTON

Debbie Shields & Lee-Ann Wild (Canada Revenue Agency)
Robert Connell (KPMG)
Cheryl Stepan (The Hamilton Spectator)
Gunther Boenisch & Kerry Dove (Workplace Safety Insurance Board)

BURLINGTON

Jennifer Ellis (JAN Kelley Marketing)
Gord Savelli (Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital)
Sam Ro & Committee (L3-Wescam)
Nana Ngobila & Casandra Dilegge (The CUMIS Group Limited)

AGENCY CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR
These community agencies have achieved excellence in teamwork, leadership and community involvement.

2011 Nominees:

Access Counselling & Family Services
Hamilton Council on Aging
Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton
YWCA of Hamilton

COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR AWARD
This award is presented to a committee, organization or individual who has successfully planned and executed a community special event, achieving excellent fundraising success, and engaging high levels of participation and awareness.

2011 Recipients:

Kings Buffet, Hamilton
Burlington Mall, Christmas Gift Wrapping

INNOVATION AWARD
The Innovation Award recognizes an organization who demonstrated innovation in raising funds and awareness for the United Way.

U.S. Steel Canada, Take Twenty Initiative

McMASTER UNIVERSITY WORKPLACE LEADERSHIP GIVING AWARD
This award is presented to the organization that best promotes the leadership giving program (donations of $1,000 or more) within their workplace.

2011 Nominees:

Canada Revenue Agency
TD Canada Trust

STUDENT SPIRIT AWARD
This award is presented to the school or board of education who demonstrated community spirit through leadership, fundraising and community involvement.

St. Gabriel Catholic School (Halton Catholic District School Board)

UNITED WAY UNION SPIRIT AWARD
In recognition to a local union who has shown exceptional and continuing support for United Way.

Hamilton & District Labour Council

TEN YEAR PLATINUM AWARD
This award is presented to organizations that have achieved a platinum employee award ($110 + per capita) for 10 consecutive years.

2011 Recipients:

Burlington Hydro Inc. (IBEW 636)
Ecodyne Limited
JAN Kelley Marketing
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Scotia Private Client Group

GALLERY OF DISTINCTION AWARD
This award is presented to the organization that has demonstrated outstanding long-term support of United Way.

2011 Nominees:

Cogeco Cable Inc.
McMaster University
The CUMIS Group Limited
The Hamilton Spectator

ARCELORMITTAL DOFASCO COMMUNITY BUILDER AWARD
This award was developed to recognize and honour ArcelorMittal Dofasco for its leadership role as a community builder. The ArcelorMittal Dofasco Community Builder Award recognizes organizations that impact, inspire and lead the people of our community. It is presented to a company or organization who demonstrates outstanding enthusiasm and support to United Way as well as making a significant difference in our community.

2011 Nominees:

BMO Bank of Montreal
Pearson Dunn Insurance Inc.
The Hamilton Spectator