Linda Kuga Pikulin, President of The Pepsi Bottling Group (Canada) Co. (PBG), has taken on the leadership of United Way of Peel Region's 2007 campaign. As Campaign Chair, Ms. Kuga Pikulin will set the pace for the campaign and work with other senior business volunteers and United Way staff to implement a variety of fundraising strategies.
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With more than 700 volunteers donating over 25,000 hours last year, United Way of Peel Region has many reasons to salute its volunteers.

"Our volunteers are important to us. We rely on them to succeed and without their help United Way would not be able to address the critical issues in our community," said Nicole Dupuis, United Way of Peel Region's Volunteer and Youth Engagement Associate. "Our volunteers have the power to inspire by example while encouraging and motivating others to serve in their respective communities."
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Congratulations to Detective Sergeant Donna Madill on receiving the Brampton Board of Trade's Police Service Award.
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Now's the time to sign up for United Way of Peel Region's 16th Annual Golf Tournament to be held Wednesday, July 4, at Lionhead Golf and Country Club.
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April 28 is International Day of Mourning for Workers Injured or Killed on the Job.

This is a meaningful day for people like 42-year-old Gavin, who lost sight in both eyes after a steel rod struck him on the temple while he was working at a construction site in 1993.
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Community organizations searching for hard-to-find information now have a new "local library" to turn to for help. Launched March 30 at United Way, the Imagine Canada - John Hodgson Library Community Collection provides free access to the largest collection of Canadian non-profit literature in the world.
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Rachelle Pantaleon (centre) and Darryl Francispillai, coordinators of Mississauga in Motion, present Liz Leake of United Way with a cheque for $800, proceeds from the league’s inaugural charity volleyball tournament held last month.
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United Way has announced it is investing $6,892,347 from its Community Priorities Fund into an essential network of 101 human care services and programs provided through 52 different community agencies. The investment, which comes from United Way's largest funding stream, runs from April 1 to next March.

"This funding provides the stable, ongoing financial support that is so critical for meeting Peel's social service challenges," said United Way Community Investment Director Anita Stellinga. "We are investing in a wide range of vital services that not only meet immediate needs, such as food for a hungry family or safe shelter for a troubled youth, but also help tackle the root of theses problems through programs such as literacy training, job skills development, and anger management counseling.

United Way targets its funding to make an impact in the following five key community priorities:

• Strengthening families and children
• Reducing hunger, homelessness and poverty
• Helping abused women and children
• Supporting seniors to live healthy and independent lives
• Helping newcomers and immigrants settle and integrate

As the funding applications were being assessed, United Way reviewers noted several trends and common challenges among community agencies. Analyzing these trends assists United Way with its long- and short- term planning and reveals the state of the social services sector in Peel. Among the trends noted in this year's process are:

• Leadership turnover: Close to 1 in 4 funded agencies experienced turnover at the senior staff level, either through retirements or career changes. To assist new Executive Directors with their transition into the role, United Way has implemented an orientation strategy.
• Decreases in fundraising and funding: More than 1 in 4 funded agencies reported a decline in charitable gaming revenues as a direct result of non-smoking legislation affecting bingo halls. While United Way cannot replace this revenue, it does offer learning opportunities through its Training and Consulting Services for agencies needing to develop fundraising strategies.
• Human resources management challenges: Some agencies, particularly where staffing levels have increased significantly due to an influx of government funding, are facing human resources challenges. New government funding for some agencies does not fully support HR management of growing staff numbers. Through the Strengthening Organizational Effectiveness Fund, United Way (in partnership with the Region of Peel) provides resources for agencies to enhance their organizational capacity.
• Expanded diversity initiatives: 1 in 5 funded agencies have undertaken initiatives to increase their effectiveness in providing service to an increasingly diverse clientele. Through the Regional Diversity Roundtable (a network of organizations and institutions committed to building inclusion and diversity competence) United Way promotes the implementation of diversity strategies in the human services sector.

"These trends highlight how vitally important it is that United Way continue to focus on strengthening Peel's social services sector," said Sue Ritchie, United Way Board member and Chair of United Way's Community Investment Cabinet. "Without strong, stable agencies, the residents in our community will not be able to gain access to the services and programs they need."

In June, United Way will announce an additional allocation from the Community Priorities Fund of up to $460,000 for programs and services that specifically target poverty reduction, support for seniors and help for abused women and children.

Linda Kuga Pikulin, President of The Pepsi Bottling Group (Canada) Co. (PBG), has taken on the leadership of United Way of Peel Region's 2007 campaign. As Campaign Chair, Ms. Kuga Pikulin will set the pace for the campaign and work with other senior business volunteers and United Way staff to implement a variety of fundraising strategies.

"I am honoured to accept the exciting challenge of this role," said Ms. Kuga Pikulin. "I look forward to working with many United Way heroes in the coming months to help make a difference in the lives of the people of Peel."

A Peel resident for the past several years, Ms. Kuga Pikulin is PBG's highest-ranking female operating executive and runs Canada's $1.2-billion soft drink business. She has been involved with United Way both professionally and personally for more than 20 years.

Ms. Kuga Pikulin joined Pepsi-Cola North America in 1982. Since then she has held a series of increasingly responsible sales, marketing, operations and executive positions. She was appointed President of PBG Canada in 1998.

In addition to her long-standing involvement with United Way, Ms. Kuga Pikulin sits on the boards of industry associations Refreshments Canada and Food and Consumer Products of Canada. In 2004 she established the Dr. Donna J. Kuga Trustee Scholarship at Penn State University in her sister's honour to help undergraduate students with financial needs.

"We are thrilled to have someone with Linda's extraordinary business background to lead the United Way campaign this year", said United Way CEO Shelley White. "She will definitely be a tremendous asset to the 2007 campaign and we thank her for her willingness to play such an important role."

With more than 700 volunteers donating over 25,000 hours last year, United Way of Peel Region has many reasons to salute its volunteers.

"Our volunteers are important to us. We rely on them to succeed and without their help United Way would not be able to address the critical issues in our community," said Nicole Dupuis, United Way of Peel Region's Volunteer and Youth Engagement Associate. "Our volunteers have the power to inspire by example while encouraging and motivating others to serve in their respective communities."

Among these vital volunteers are the six members of United Way's Allocations Committee. Together they review applications for funding, identify emerging issues and make recommendations to the Community Investment Cabinet. New committee members Mathew Murdock, Catherine Fiel and Anna Olsen know the importance of volunteering.

Mathew, an Account Manager with GE Capital Solutions, is a United Way donor who decided to expand his involvement by volunteering. Persuaded to volunteer by a fellow colleague, Mathew knew it was time to give back to society. "I figured it was time for me to develop a perspective related to organizations that are in place to help everyone," he said. Mathew's volunteering gives him new insight. "I was always aware that many 'Quality of Life' organizations existed, but did not realize the scope and breadth of these groups. I now know!"	Mathew Murdock
Catherine is a Financial Analyst at AstraZeneca Canada Inc. Even though this is her first time volunteering with United Way, she spends many hours volunteering with other organizations. "I became a volunteer for the Allocations Committee because I like to venture into the unknown and take up a challenge. Since this is new territory for me, it piqued my interest," she said. Catherine volunteers when she can and believes that others should volunteer too. "It's a great way to broaden your knowledge of reality and your community, while at the same time benefiting a great organization that breathes life into so many different agencies."	Catherine Fiel
Anna is the Manager of Volunteer Programs at Peel Children's Aid. As a Peel resident for 10 years, Anna has dedicated herself to the volunteer cause. Working her entire career in the not-for-profit sector, Anna knows that volunteering educates and inspires. "United Way has given me the opportunity to give my insights into the funding allocations process," she said. The involvement of volunteers is essential to United Way's ability to carry out its mission of ensuring that people are cared for, connected and included. Thanks to volunteers such as Mathew, Catherine and Anna, as well as hundreds of others volunteers, United Way creates change that strengthens community and improves lives.	Anna Olsen

"Good, strong volunteers have always supported the United Way in achieving many successes for the community," said Anita Stellinga, Director of Community Investment. "As we focus on creating lasting, positive change that strengthens our community and improves people's lives, United Way is all the more reliant on strong volunteer leadership."

Congratulations to Detective Sergeant Donna Madill on receiving the Brampton Board of Trade's Police Service Award.

With more than 30 years of service with Peel Regional Police, Madill has served since 2004 as a member of United Way's Speakers' Bureau, visiting companies and organizations to provide motivational support and information about United Way. She has also served on the boards of various United Way-funded agencies.

Now's the time to sign up for United Way of Peel Region's 16th Annual Golf Tournament to be held Wednesday, July 4, at Lionhead Golf and Country Club.

Last year's tournament sold out well in advance. Don't miss this once-a-year opportunity to golf with friends and colleagues for the benefit of United Way and the community.

This year's ACE (title) sponsors are RBC, Deloitte, and Telus. A limited number of corporate sponsorship opportunities are still available. Please contact Kathryna Indewey, Campaign Manager, at 905-602-3642 or email kindewey@unitedwaypeel.org for more information.

For further information about the tournament or to book a foursome, contact Marilyn Caird, Communications Manager, at 905-602-3625 or mcaird@unitedwaypeel.org.

Click here to download a copy of the registration brochure.

April 28 is International Day of Mourning for Workers Injured or Killed on the Job.

This is a meaningful day for people like 42-year-old Gavin, who lost sight in both eyes after a steel rod struck him on the temple while he was working at a construction site in 1993.

After being out of work for six years, Gavin asked a United Way-funded agency to help him find suitable employment. Agency staff recommended that he seek work in the area of customer service, but Gavin wanted to work in a factory setting.

The agency contacted a packaging company to ask if Gavin would be able to visit for a day to try different jobs. The company agreed but requested that an agency representative be present with Gavin at all times for safety reasons because there were forklifts constantly moving throughout the factory.

That day, Gavin attempted a number of jobs, from hand packaging to working on the line. The employer was so impressed with Gavin's performance that he hired him the same day to perform various duties. Soon thereafter, the company featured Gavin in its new safety video, which has become mandatory viewing for all new employees during their orientation.

Community organizations searching for hard-to-find information now have a new "local library" to turn to for help. Launched March 30 at United Way, the Imagine Canada - John Hodgson Library Community Collection provides free access to the largest collection of Canadian non-profit literature in the world.

"This library is a terrific resource for community groups and students seeking information on a wide variety of subjects related to the non-profit sector," explains Sharon Douglas, United Way Community Investment Manager. "It is an important part of our strategy to build the capacity of the non-profit sector in Peel so it can effectively meet our community's human service needs."

The library offers users access to a bilingual collection of over 6,000 pieces. An index of the entire collection can be viewed online at www.nonprofitscan.ca and many of the resources can be read online or downloaded. Hard copies of items that are not available online can be reviewed at the United Way office. A computer is also available for viewing materials online. To ensure items are always available, loans are not permitted.

Subjects covered by the library's resources include creating effective partnerships with businesses, not-for-profit employment law, fundraising, governance, and general non-profit management.

The library is located at United Way's offices at 5170 Dixie Road, Suite 300, Mississauga. It is open by appointment from Monday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To make an appointment, please contact Cheryl Jones at (905) 602-3619 or cjones@unitedwaypeel.org.

Rachelle Pantaleon (centre) and Darryl Francispillai, coordinators of Mississauga in Motion, present Liz Leake of United Way with a cheque for $800, proceeds from the league’s inaugural charity volleyball tournament held last month. Close to 100 people participated in the event. Mississauga in Motion is a year-round adult sports league dedicated to promoting physical activity in our community.

A $50 per pay donation ($1,300 per year) to United Way's Community Fund provides a troubled youth with confidential professional counselling for four to six months.
Peel has the second-largest population of youth (288,000) in Ontario.

A $10 per pay donation ($260 per year) to United Way's Community Fund enables counsellors to develop safety plans for 20 women who have experienced abuse.
One United Way-funded agency deals with as many as 2,500 persons a year experiencing partner abuse.