Volunteers are the backbone of United Way. Hundreds of people volunteer with United Way in a variety of ways. Whether it’s as a member of the Board, Community Investment Cabinet or Campaign Cabinet, an Employee Campaign Chair or Canvasser, an Account Executive, a participant in Day of Caring, a member of Speakers’ Bureau or one of the many other roles, volunteers offer their time, expertise, advice and influence to support the success of our organization. Volunteers help keep our costs low ensuring maximum impact for donations received.
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With one in seven children in Peel living in poverty, it’s fitting that poverty reduction is the theme of United Way of Peel Region’s 2007 annual general meeting. The Honourable Deb Matthews M.P.P., Minister of Children and Youth Services and Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction will be the keynote speaker for the event which will take place on Friday, June 6, 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Mississauga Convention Centre, 75 Derry Road West.
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“We are very passionate about the work that United Way does to support our community on a daily basis.” said Randy Meisner, Manager, Customer Service, Baxter Corporation. “It’s part of our philosophy as a global organization to give back to the community in which we work and live.”
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Register your organization today for United Way of Peel Region’s 2008 spring Day of Caring, taking place Thursday May 15. Day of Caring is your opportunity to volunteer at a United Way-funded agency for one day and experience first-hand how your donations impact the community. Choose a volunteer placement from more than 164 opportunities and take part in personally lending a helping hand to support our community.
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Several leaders from Peel’s non-profit sector have the unique opportunity to help determine the best way to enhance the skills of emerging human services leaders in our community. Through a pilot program called, Lead with Confidence the Peel Learning Institute (PLI) will test a variety of potential training programs and services with pilot participants. The pilot launched March 26 and will continue until the week of May 12.
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“I don’t find myself to be extraordinary at all. I just enjoy doing what I do,” said Elisabeth Appleton, a married mother of two who has been a United Way volunteer for almost 20 years.
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Register now for Leaders on the Links, United Way of Peel Region’s 17th annual golf tournament, taking place on Thursday, July 10 at Lionhead Golf and Country Club in Brampton. The name of our tournament reflects each participant’s role as a leader in the community when you attend this major fundraising event.
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United Way of Peel Region’s new Neighbourhood Development Grants are giving a boost to several vulnerable neighbourhoods in Mississauga and Brampton. The grants, totalling $100,000, are to reduce isolation and exclusion while strengthening resident-led leadership and helping to revitalize local communities.

“The six projects that we are funding provide an excellent start to United Way’s neighbourhood development strategy,” says United Way CEO Shelley White. “Our goal is to engage and empower neighbourhoods, communities and key stakeholders in creating high-quality community-based solutions to local issues and challenges.”

Funding under this initiative has been directed to several community agencies which will in turn develop and manage the following neighbourhood development projects.

1. Malton Stewardship Day, taking place on Saturday April 26 in recognition of Earth Day, receives $6,000 through the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.

2. McHardy Court & Fair Oaks, a high density neighbourhood in central Brampton receives $18,000 through the Boys and Girls Club of Peel.

3. Acorn Place, a high density neighbourhood in Mississauga near Hurontario Street and Eglinton Avenue, receives $21,000 through the Boys and Girls Club of Peel.

4. The Brampton Kennedy Road Strip, north of Steeles and south of Queen Street receives $15,000 through the Brampton Neighbourhood Resource Centre.

5. The Sheridan apartment complex receives $21,000 through the Boys and Girls Club of Peel.

6. The Malton Community Festival, taking place this year on July 5 and 6 receives $19,000 through the Malton Neighbourhood Services.

“The desired outcomes of the six projects are to create connections within neighbourhoods, build relationships between residents and social service providers and empower residents to be leaders in creating a thriving community for all,” says Anita Stellinga, United Way’s Director of Community Investment. “The bottom line is, a neighbourhood that works together is safer, healthier and more productive.”

For full details on the Neighbourhood Development Grants please see our news release.

Volunteers are the backbone of United Way. Hundreds of people volunteer with United Way in a variety of ways. Whether it’s as a member of the Board, Community Investment Cabinet or Campaign Cabinet, an Employee Campaign Chair or Canvasser, an Account Executive, a participant in Day of Caring, a member of Speakers’ Bureau or one of the many other roles, volunteers offer their time, expertise, advice and influence to support the success of our organization. Volunteers help keep our costs low ensuring maximum impact for donations received.

“Some people might ask why we celebrate National Volunteer Week?” said Nicole Dupuis, United Way’s Volunteer and Youth Engagement Associate. “The answer is because we are truly grateful for our volunteers and their commitment to our organization and our community!”

United Way is proud to take a leading role in volunteer management by creating a Volunteer Development Policy Manual and Handbook promoting best practices and a centralized approach in volunteer management. There are 23 different types of volunteer positions at United Way of Peel Region.

If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities at United Way, please contact Nicole Dupuis at ndupuis@unitedwaypeel.org.

With one in seven children in Peel living in poverty, it’s fitting that poverty reduction is the theme of United Way of Peel Region’s 2007 annual general meeting. The Honourable Deb Matthews M.P.P., Minister of Children and Youth Services and Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction will be the keynote speaker for the event which will take place on Friday, June 6, 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Mississauga Convention Centre, 75 Derry Road West.

Matthews previously served as Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Community and Social Services and Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues. She received the 2007 Political Award of Merit for practicing and exemplifying social work values, including the fight for social justice, in her political, professional and social life.

A complimentary breakfast will be served and everyone is welcome to attend. Space is limited so please R.S.V.P. no later than May 23 by calling 905 602-3650 or email jpereira@unitedwaypeel.org.

The Baxter Corporation scored $1,225 for United Way of Peel Region at their first-ever Play like a pro fundraising event.

“We are very passionate about the work that United Way does to support our community on a daily basis.” said Randy Meisner, Manager, Customer Service, Baxter Corporation. “It’s part of our philosophy as a global organization to give back to the community in which we work and live.”

The Play like a pro event took place in February at the Richo Centre in Toronto and included a fun skate, an opportunity to watch or play in a friendly game of pick-up hockey and tickets to a Toronto Marlies game. Additional funds were raised by selling raffle tickets for a hockey stick autographed and donated by the Marlies team.

In addition to supporting United Way, the event proved to be a great team-building exercise for Baxter employees as well as an opportunity to be physically active while socializing with coworkers, friends and family.

United Way’s Kimberley Soulière accepts cheque from Randy Meisner, AnnMarie Mercer and Dave Pidduck of The Baxter Corporation.

Register your organization today for United Way of Peel Region’s 2008 spring Day of Caring, taking place Thursday May 15. Day of Caring is your opportunity to volunteer at a United Way-funded agency for one day and experience first-hand how your donations impact the community. Choose a volunteer placement from more than 164 opportunities and take part in personally lending a helping hand to support our community.

Your Day of Caring will begin with a welcome orientation by a United Way representative at an agency location. You will then go on to spend the day helping out at your assigned agency.

All volunteers will receive a t-shirt and certificate of acknowledgement for their participation in this rewarding and inspirational event.

The deadline for sign-up is Monday, May 5. Placements are assigned on a first come, first served basis and are filling up quickly. To ensure that opportunities are available to as many people as possible, there is a limit of 20 volunteers per participating organization, unless unfilled opportunities exist following the registration deadline.

If you require further information, or would like to register for Day of Caring, please contact Marilyn Caird, Communications Manager, United Way of Peel Region, 905-602-3625 or mcaird@unitedwaypeel.org.

Several leaders from Peel’s non-profit sector have the unique opportunity to help determine the best way to enhance the skills of emerging human services leaders in our community. Through a pilot program called, Lead with Confidence the Peel Learning Institute (PLI) will test a variety of potential training programs and services with pilot participants. The pilot launched March 26 and will continue until the week of May 12.

The PLI is an initiative of the Peel Capacity Building Committee, part of the Peel Funders Consortium. United Way is an active partner in the initiative.

Research has shown that many leaders in the non-profit sector will retire within the next five to 10 years. PLI, once fully established, will help ensure that non-profit agencies remain strong even after current leaders retire.

The development phase of Peel Learning Institute is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

“I don’t find myself to be extraordinary at all. I just enjoy doing what I do,” said Elisabeth Appleton, a married mother of two who has been a United Way volunteer for almost 20 years.

Currently Elisabeth, known as Liz to friends and family, coordinates all fundraising activities and events at Rogers Park. Events include casual month where employees pay a fee to dress casually for a designated month, as well as various raffles and auctions throughout the year.

“Liz is amazing,” said Suzanne Kilner, Director of Network Services at Rogers. “She has tons of energy and she believes in what she is doing. She pulls us all together.”

Liz’s parents inspire her to volunteer and give back to the community. The only child of Hungarian immigrants, Liz knows the challenges newcomers face in trying to start a new life. It was United Way-funded agencies that helped her parents settle into the community when they arrived in Canada many decades ago. Then in 2007, when her elderly mother was diagnosed with fumitory arthritis and underwent hip surgery, United Way-funded agencies were there again, this time providing a wheel chair and a homecare nurse to help her mother through recovery. “The United Way helps so many different agencies provide so many different services; that’s what I like about it,” she said.

For Liz the best part of being a United Way volunteer is knowing that she is helping make difference in her community. “United Way is a great cause and I just want to be involved in making great things happen,” she said with a smile.

Register now for Leaders on the Links, United Way of Peel Region’s 17th annual golf tournament, taking place on Thursday, July 10 at Lionhead Golf and Country Club in Brampton. The name of our tournament reflects each participant’s role as a leader in the community when you attend this major fundraising event.

Apart from having a great time, proceeds from the event go to United Way’s Community Fund, which supports programs, services and initiatives that meet vital needs such as preventing homelessness, helping newcomers settle and sheltering woman and children from abuse. Your support also creates sustainable change that helps our community thrive.

This year we are proud to have Bantrel, Deloitte, Purolator, Telus and RBC Insurance as our title sponsors. Be a leader on the links and participate in this once-a-year event. Register today so you don’t miss out.

The entry fee for foursomes range from $2,000 to $2,300 and the single golfer fee is $500. Golf carts, range, locker, guest gift, lunch and dinner are included.

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

United Way of Peel Region distributes Neighbourhood Development Grants, totalling $100,000.

Upcoming Events.
Day of Caring is scheduled for May 15.
United Way's Annual General Meeting will take place on June 6.
The Golf Tournament, Leaders on the Links will be held on July 10.