When the Toronto Argonauts face the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday, October 20 at the Rogers Centre, it could be a preview of the Grey Cup game the following month. That gives you added incentive to attend this United Way fundraiser.
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The Silver City Mississauga theatre was full of heroes on September 16 as United Way launched its 2006 "Be a Hero" campaign by unveiling its $13-million goal. More than 250 people attended the event, which was sponsored by St. Joseph Communications and featured a special screening of the new FOX film, Everybody's Hero.

"This film tells the story of a boy who saves the day for his father by believing in his own ability to make a difference," explained 2006 Campaign Chair Carl Oxholm, Partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. "Every day we see the difference that people make when they support United Way. They are our community's true heroes."

United Way's $13-million goal includes $1-million which is targeted to come from national employee campaigns. These national campaigns are coordinated by United Way for organizations that have head offices in Peel and have multiple locations across the country. Donations raised through national campaigns are distributed back to the communities in which they were raised.

To date, more than $540,000 has been raised in the 2006 campaign. Last year's campaign raised $12,531,054.

"United Way creates lasting change that improves lives and builds resilient communities," said Harry Mann, United Way's Board Chair. "Donations to the United Way Community Fund are invested in services and programs that address immediate needs, those that tackle the root causes behind those needs, and initiatives that address community-wide concerns. People from all walks of life, all corners of our community, and in many different circumstances are helped by United Way."

United Way encourages you to be a hero by donating to the Community Fund.

From left to right: Carl Oxholm, 2006 Campaign Chair; Shelley White, CEO, United Way of Peel Region; and Harry Mann, Board Chair, unveil the 2006 Campaign Goal.

Through United Way's Pacesetters program, companies and organizations of all sizes demonstrate their community leadership. Pacesetters pledge their support to United Way's Community Fund before the campaign's public kick-off and encourage others to contribute to the community through United Way.

"I am pleased to announce that we have 47 Pacesetters this year," said 2006 Campaign Chair Carl Oxholm, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. "This gives our campaign a great boost and helps encourage other organizations to support the campaign."

To date, the following companies and organizations are setting the pace this year by raising a total of more than $540,000 to date:

• Affinia Canada Corporation
• Alcon Canada Inc.
• Assured Logistics Inc.
• AstraZeneca Canada Inc.
• BASF Canada
• Baxter Corporation
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel
• Brita Canada Corporation
• Cadbury Schweppes Americas Beverages
• Canadian Tire Corporation Limited
• Carlson Marketing Group Canada
• City of Brampton
• City of Mississauga
• Communications Repair Logistics
• Data Group of Companies
• Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board
• Edward Jones
• ESAB Group Canada Inc.
• Frito Lay Canada
• GE Canada
• General Mills Canada Corporation
• GlaxoSmithKline Inc.
• Hershey Canada Inc.
• Hewlett-Packard (Canada) Inc.
• IKON Office Solutions
• Kimberley-Clark Inc.
• Labour Community Services of Peel Inc.
• Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc.
• Maritime-Ontario Freight Lines Ltd.
• McCormick Canada
• Moore Canada
• NAV Canada
• Nestlé Purina Petcare
• Peel District School Board
• Peel Senior Link
• Pepsi-QTG
• PLASP Child Care Services Employees
• PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
• Regional Municipality of Peel
• Samuel, Son & Co. Limited
• Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis Centre of Peel
• The Clorox Company of Canada Ltd.
• The Pepsi Bottling Group (Canada), Co.
• Town of Caledon
• Trillium Health Centre
• Victim Services of Peel
• Zehrs Markets & The Real Canadian Superstore

When the Toronto Argonauts face the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday, October 20 at the Rogers Centre, it could be a preview of the Grey Cup game the following month. That gives you added incentive to attend this United Way fundraiser.

The Argos are offering tickets at the 100 and 200 levels for 25% off the regular price. The team will donate $5 for each ticket sold to United Way. A $33.75 ticket (regularly $45) will get you a seat near the 30-yard line on the 100 or 200 level. A $21 ticket (regularly $28) will get you a seat in or near the end zones on the 100 or 200 level.

The deadline for ordering tickets is October 17. Download the ticket order form, fill it out and fax directly to the Argos at the number provided. Tickets will be mailed to the purchaser. There is no minimum ticket order - the more you order, the more United Way's a winner.

Start your Day of Caring at United Way of Peel Region headquarters with a breakfast pep rally. Then, head off to your designated agency to take on any of a number of assignments ranging from painting to yard work to computer training.

Sign-up is on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline for registering is Monday, October 2.

To ensure your name is added to the project distribution list contact Marilyn Caird, Communications Manager, Events & Sponsorship, at 905-602-3625 or mcaird@unitedwaypeel.org. Every effort is made to match the capabilities and interests of volunteers to a project.

Sign up today!

There are several advantages to making a gift in this manner:

• Opportunity - It provides an opportunity to make a significant gift during your lifetime.
• Tax Advantages - By donating your appreciated securities or mutual funds directly to United Way of Peel Region, you can eliminate your capital gains tax bill.
• Reduced Expenses - Your actual cost of making the gift is reduced.
• Reduced Brokerage Fees - Many brokerage houses forego fees for charitable transactions.
• Simple and Convenient - Securities are easy to transfer. Your broker transfers the shares from your account to United Way of Peel Region's brokerage account.
• Recognition - Your gift can be honoured during your lifetime.

To take advantage of this option for donating, securities must be electronically transferred to United Way's brokerage account and not be sold by you, the donor. The gift will not qualify for the reduced capital gains tax if the securities are sold and the cash then gifted to a charity. A donation receipt is issued for the fair market value of the security on the date of transfer.

Here is an example - a donor in the 45% tax bracket who wishes to give a gift of $100,000:

Gifts of Publicly Traded Securities and Mutual Funds

As you can see, you get a substantial tax break and it is very easy to do!

If you are interested in taking advantage of the new tax exemption, please call Ted Fauteux, Director Resource Development, at 905-602-3632 or email tfauteux@unitedwaypeel.org.

The Town of Caledon's Employee Campaign for United Way got off to a stellar start on September 12 by exceeding its campaign goal of $4,000 on the first day by raising $5,500, including two Leadership gifts. A Leadership gift is a donation of $1,000 or more.

Employees of Edward Jones kicked off their campaign on September 11 with a barbeque that included plenty of fun and games for a good cause.

In June, the provincial government announced it is introducing legislation to break down barriers for newcomers, enabling more internationally trained professionals to work in their respective fields.

The Fair Access to Regulated Professions Act, 2006 (Bill 124), if passed, is a long overdue but welcomed development. The proposed legislation, the first of its kind in Canada, would require Ontario's regulated professions, including some not normally thought of as professions, such as forester, dietician and midwife, to ensure their licensing process is fair, clear and open. They would also be required to assess credentials more quickly. When you consider that 60 per cent of newcomers to Canada do not work in the same occupational field as they did in their native country, Bill 124 represents a significant step forward, especially in our community. Peel has the second-highest volume of new immigrants in the country. Approximately 100 newcomers per day arrive in Peel, of whom 70 are immigrants. Peel's immigrant population is growing at a faster rate than the Canadian-born population (25.2% versus 9.8%).

On July 27, a community information forum on Bill 124 was held at the Mississauga Convention Centre. Speakers included the Honourable Mike Colle, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Sheldon Leiba, General Manager of the Brampton Board of Trade, and Sharon Douglas, Manager of Community Investment for United Way of Peel Region.

"In our opinion, Bill 124 is a strategic move towards the broader vision of a healthier and more inclusive community," said Douglas. "As an organization that funds 54 human service agencies and 104 programs and services in the region, we witness the impact of underemployment and unemployment on newcomer families. Many of our funded agencies deliver programs that aid in the settlement and integration of newcomers into our community. United Way of Peel Region is currently a partner in The Mentoring Partnership (matching skilled immigrants with professionals in their fields), the Peel Immigrant Strategy Group, and the Regional Diversity Roundtable. We want to advance the capacity of individuals and organizations. As a community-impact organization, we are committed to creating lasting change that improves lives."

Twenty-four-year-old Ray had had a long involvement with street gangs and was frequently in conflict with the police. On one occasion, his brush with the law cost him a full-time job with a major retailer.

One day, Ray decided to clean up his act. Some of his friends were trying to further their education, get counselling and find employment through a United Way-funded agency, so Ray decided to join them. Ray possessed many leadership qualities, which he was able to tap into with regular counselling sessions with the agency staff as well as with the staff at another United Way-funded agency.

As a result of the counselling he received, Ray made some life-altering decisions. He began to explore his love of music in a focused manner and began writing poetry as well as rap lyrics addressing his life experiences. Ray emerged with clearer life goals and plans to go to university to study theology. He has worked on applying for a pardon of his criminal charges and hopes to work one day to inspire youth to choose peace over aggression. Thanks to the support of United Way, Ray has established himself as a calming influence and an inspiring role model to younger "street-involved" peers.

If you enjoy fine food, you'd better hurry. The Chefs' Challenge on October 24 is almost sold out. Sample fabulous fare from any or all of 10 top restaurants represented at this annual fundraiser in support of United Way of Peel Region.

Date:	Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Time:	6:00 p.m. - Cocktails & Silent Auction 7:15 p.m. - Dinner
Venue:	The Delta Meadowvale Resort & Conference Centre 6750 Mississauga Road Mississauga, Ontario L5N 2L3 Click here for directions.
Dress Code:	Business Attire
Reminder:	Cash bar

Variety is the spice life at the Chefs' Challenge with the following restaurants on the menu:

• Breakwater Restaurant, Waterside Inn
• The Elliott House
• Lucy's Seafood Kitchen & Cafe
• Michael's Back Door
• On The Curve / TEN
• Regatta Bar & Grille, Delta Meadowvale Resort & Conference Centre
• Rogues Restaurant
• Rosewood Bistro & Wine Bar
• Ruth's Chris Steak House
• Solstice Restaurant & Wine Bar

Throughout the evening, Master of Ceremonies Michelle Butterly of CHFI-FM will hand out some fabulous door prizes.

Chefs' hats off to the organizers and major sponsors of the event: AstraZeneca Canada and the Delta Meadowvale Resort and Conference Centre.

Tickets are $200 per person or $2,000 for a table of 10. (Tax receipts for the full amount will be mailed after the event.)

Hurry! This event is almost sold out. To purchase tickets to this gourmet gala, download the ticket order form and return with payment to reserve your seats. Seating/tables are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Don't delay - order yours today! For further information, contact Kimberley Souliere, United Way Campaign Manager, at 905-602-3633 or ksouliere@unitedwaypeel.org.

The people at E.I. du Pont Canada all deserve a big bear hug! The company kindly donated 50 stuffed toy polar bears to United Way for distribution among its funded agencies. Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre and Caledon Community Services will each receive a share of the bears, which in turn they will distribute to children in their programs.

Settlement worker Samia Ramadan of the Dixie Bloor Neighbourhood Centre has that warm and fuzzy feeling.

Community Achievement 2006 is scheduled for the evening of Thursday, February 15, 2007 at the Pearson Convention Center in Brampton. Reserve this date now and plan to celebrate the successful conclusion of United Way's campaign! Watch for the October issue of Way to Go! for your ticket order form and additional details.

In 2003, 10,049 Peel residents, including 2,073 children, used shelters. Approximately 30,000 individuals are on a waiting list for affordable housing, with only 200 to 300 spaces opening up per year.

United Way allocates close to $920,000 annually to services and programs that address poverty, hunger and homelessness. From shelters and literacy programs to crisis intervention and the region's largest food bank, United Way funds a circle of support that not only addresses immediate needs but tackles the root causes of those needs.

Planning a fundraising campaign for United Way? Here are a couple of fun, easy-to-execute ideas:

Airplane Toss: This event works best in offices that have multiple floors overlooking a lobby or atrium. Put an assortment of prizes on the lobby or atrium floor and have participants throw their paper airplanes from an upper level. The person whose plane comes closest to the prize is the winner. (Alternative: Throw paper planes through hula hoops.)

Tricycle Race: Have senior management compete in a tricycle race around a pre-determined track, indoors or out. Staff can then place bets on whom the winner will be.
There have been some hilarious races over the years!