This year, family will have Christmas tree

“My first Christmas in Canada was extremely bleak,” recalls Sandra Bocarro. “There were no gifts and no tree.”

After researching Canada, Sandra felt it would be an ideal place to live and raise a family. She arrived in July 2004 but despite being a highly educated professional, she had difficulty finding employment. By Christmas the family had depleted their savings and were struggling to make ends meet.

“How could I think about Christmas?” says Sandra. “I barely had furniture and had to focus on affording the essentials.”

Then a United Way-funded agency matched Sandra with a professional mentor who helped her network and apply her transferable skills to find employment. Now at 38, Sandra is employed and living in Mississauga with her husband and two children. For the first time since arriving in Canada, she and her family will have a Christmas tree. They are excited about the holidays.

“Without the help of my mentor, I’d still be groping around in the dark,” she says. “The whole experience has really taught me the power of being resilient.”

General Mills stuffs the bus and raises record amount

A minivan nicknamed the “cereal bus” was bursting at the bolts, thanks to a record-breaking donation by General Mills Canada and its employees. On November 29 hundreds of General Mills employees stuffed the bus with food, toys and clothes they had collected to donate to various United Way funded agencies just in time for the holidays. The “Stuff the Bus” event was part of the General Mills workplace United Way campaign which raised a record $388,318. This marks the 12th year that the company and its employees have rallied together to support United Way of Peel Region.

Intuit runs successful first campaign

Intuit’s United Way Employee Campaign team members left to right: Christine Chapman, Denny Poulin, and Daljit Kaur.

Inuit and its employees raised $5,660 for United Way’s Community Fund during their first-ever employee campaign. The effort was led by Intuit’s “We care and give back” co-chair Denny Poulin, along with a dedicated team of volunteers. Fundraising activities included a campaign launch with guest speakers, a food drive competition, samosa sale, book sale and games. Congratulations Intuit on a great first effort!

Sheridan College students create Youth Spirit Awards

For the second year, Sheridan College students have created one-of-a-kind awards to present to the winners of United Way of Peel Region’s Youth Spirit Awards. The Youth Spirit Award program recognizes children and youth from across Peel Region for their creativity and enthusiasm in raising funds and awareness for United Way.

The Youth Spirit Awards program is an initiative of United Way’s Young Leaders Council, a group of young adults focused on creating a legacy of giving and volunteerism that will strengthen our community.

“Youth play a vital role in the building of a strong and vibrant community,” says Nicole Dupuis United Way’s Stakeholder Engagement Manager. “The unique awards handcrafted by Sheridan students symbolize the innovative efforts that our winners have exhibited this year.”

Winners will be announced on February 4 at United Way of Peel Region’s Community Achievement Celebration.

Celebrate community achievement with United Way

Join us in honouring our volunteers and supporters as we celebrate the conclusion of United Way’s 2010 campaign. Order tickets for United Way of Peel Region’s Community Achievement Celebration (CAC) taking place Friday February 4, 2011, at the Pearson International Centre. The theme for this year’s event is the power of “the dance.”

The evening begins with a cocktail reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by a Halal dinner, entertainment and awards presentation at 6:30 p.m. Early bird tickets ordered by January 7 are $60 each or $600 for a table of 10. Tickets ordered after January 7 are $65 each or $650 for a table of 10. To download your order form or for more information about the CAC click here or contact Lin Ferguson, Manager, Events at 905-602-3625 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Supporting community through Well of Change

Share a passion or talent, or donate an item to support United Way through Well of Change. This unique and innovative virtual marketplace makes donating fun and convenient. Through Well of Change, individuals and organizations can donate or buy a variety of services and items online, with all proceeds benefiting charity.

Well of Change is a non-profit organization supported by a team of dedicated volunteers whose goal is to make the act of giving easier for everyone. You can experience the rewards of volunteerism, promote a business, find a great deal and contribute to a worthy cause all at the same time.

To support United Way of Peel Region through Well of Change, please visit http://wellofchange.org/charities/32. You can post or purchase a variety of items and services including photography lessons, dog walking, tax preparation, furniture and more.

All proceeds donated to United Way of Peel Region through Well of Change support United Way’s Community Fund which invests in vital programs and services that hundreds of thousands of Peel residents depend on every day.

Calling for Spirit Award nominations

United Way is looking for innovative and creative workplace campaigns that have inspired employee participation while promoting team spirit and raising funds for our community. If you know of such a campaign, nominate it for a United Way Spirit Award!

All nominations must be forwarded to Susan Kulkarni at United Way of Peel Region by 5 p.m. on January 6, 2011. Winners will be announced at United Way’s annual Community Achievement Celebration, taking place February 4, 2011 at the International Centre in Mississauga.

Click here to download a nomination form. For more information about the 2010 Spirit Awards please visit www.unitedwaypeel.org, call Susan Kulkarni at (905) 602-3642, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or contact your United Way representative.

Raptors support United Way

Here’s your chance to save up to 30 per cent off Toronto Raptors tickets and support United Way. For a limited time, when you purchase tickets to select Raptor’s games listed below, a portion of the sales will go directly to United Way’s Community Fund which invests in programs and services that create hope and build better futures.

To book your tickets today, visit www.raptors.com/ticketpass and enter the special offer code: WAYTOGO. For more information on this great opportunity and more, contact Brennan Kerr at 416 815-6076 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Select games include:

• Sacramento Kings – Sunday, January 9 @ 1:00 p.m.
• Atlanta Hawks – Wednesday, January 12 @ 7:00 p.m.
• Detroit Pistons – Fridary, January 14 @ 7:00 p.m.
• Memphis Grizzlies – Monday, January 24 @ 7:00 p.m.
• Philadelphia 76ers – Wednesday, January 26 @ 7:00 p.m.
• Milwaukee Bucks – Friday January 28 @ 7:00 p.m.
• Minnesota Timberwolves – Friday, February 4 @ 7:00 p.m.
• San Antonio Spurs – Wednesday, February 9 @ 7:00 p.m.

In April 2002, 6-year-old Nolan Cattell's father died of a brain tumour. With no siblings or relatives living locally, Nolan and his mother, JoAnn, were on their own.

JoAnn wanted her only child to have a male role model - someone he could learn from and have fun with while maturing. She contacted a United Way-funded agency that placed Nolan in a group program in 2003 where he could interact with other children in his single-parent situation. The ultimate goal of the program was to match the children to adult role models. Over the course of the program, the agency introduced Nolan to a young man named Nat Marchica and the two were officially matched in 2005.

Nolan and Nat shared something in common. Nat's father had passed away 10 years ago. Like Nolan, Nat had no relatives living nearby.

"My dad passed away when I was 19," said Nat when asked why he got involved in the United Way-funded program. "I wanted to help someone in similar circumstances."

Today, Nolan, age 13, and Nat have a strong bond. They engage in many activities together, including soccer, going to the movies, attending sports events, and playing with Nat's dog. The two try to get together on a weekly basis, usually on weekends.

When asked what is the most important thing Nat has done for him, Nolan replied with a smile on his face. "He's helped me with social issues - like girls."

How has Nat's relationship with Nolan affected his life? "It's changed it for the better. It makes a hard day better. It makes me feel like a kid again," said Nat.

January 19 - Step Up and Learn: Team Building workshop for individuals aged 20-35

February 4, 2010
Community Achievement Celebration

February 16 - Step Up and Learn: Professional Image workshop for individuals aged 20-35

March 15 - Step Up and Learn: Networking Image workshop for individuals aged 20-35