Eighty employees from 17 organizations across Peel made a difference in our community by participating in United Way of Peel Region’s fall Day of Caring™ on October 22. Collectively they volunteered more than 480 hours to complete 19 different projects at 12 local United Way-funded agencies.

The fall Day of Caring™, sponsored by Edward Jones, is an opportunity for employees to experience firsthand how their contributions support our community and learn more about the programs and services that United Way funds.
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We first introduced you to Joshua Roul back in 2005 when he was just 3. Recently we were privileged to meet with Joshua again and we are excited to bring you this update on his progress.

A day after he was born in January 2002, Joshua was diagnosed with nerve damage to his left shoulder as the result of a difficult delivery. As serious as this situation was, it paled in comparison to what happened next.
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United Way of Peel Region is establishing a Black Community Advisory Council (BCAC) and seeks interested individuals from Peel’s diverse Black community to assist in developing and executing strategies that address key challenges affecting Peel’s Black community.
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United Way of Peel Region’s Young Leaders Council (YLC) will host its second annual Leadership in Style event “A Red Tie Affair” on November 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the City of Mississauga’s Great Hall.

Leadership in Style: “A Red Tie Affair” will feature several aspiring designers from across the GTA as they partner with YLC to promote youth involvement in our community and with United Way.
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Shelley White, United Way of Peel Region CEO and Sanjay Makkar, President of Meadowvale Lion’s Club of Mississauga Churchill, with cheque to benefit United Way. The $3,000 donation is courtesy of the Meadowvale Lion’s Club of Mississauga Churchill golf tournament held in September.
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Have a chance to win two round trip tickets to one of 77 Canadian, U.S., or international destinations serviced by WestJet, enjoy a sumptuous meal, and support our community by attending United Way of Peel Region’s Chefs’ Challenge. This popular and delicious event takes place October 27 at the Delta Meadowvale Resort and Conference Centre in Mississauga.
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The employees at the UPS, Derry Road facility had a successful 2009 United Way campaign. They surpassed their goal of $40,000, raising a grand total of $41,116. Funds were raised through pledge card donations and a variety of contests and events including a pancake breakfast, pizza day, gift basket silent auction, baby photo contest, and a mini Olympics. The campaign launched July 8 and wrapped up September 1.
more...

Eighty employees from 17 organizations across Peel made a difference in our community by participating in United Way of Peel Region’s fall Day of Caring™ on October 22. Collectively they volunteered more than 480 hours to complete 19 different projects at 12 local United Way-funded agencies.

The fall Day of Caring™, sponsored by Edward Jones, is an opportunity for employees to experience firsthand how their contributions support our community and learn more about the programs and services that United Way funds. Volunteers armed with paint brushes, shovels and rubber gloves worked on a variety of projects including helping out at the food bank, doing yard work, painting, gardening, cleaning, and computer training.

“Day of Caring provides a unique opportunity for employees to learn more about community issues and play a direct role in building a great community,” explains Shelley White, United Way CEO. “It’s tremendously rewarding for the volunteers to carry out much-needed projects that the agencies may otherwise have not been able to easily complete.”

The following companies and organizations sent volunteers: Canada Post, Citrix, City of Mississauga, E.I. duPont, Edward Jones, Humber College, Ikon Office Solutions Inc., Ingram Micro, Live, MettlerToledo, Praxair, RBC, Region of Peel, State Farm, Tech Data, The Pepsi Bottling Group (Canada) Co., and Wyeth.

Paint and related supplies were donated by the Brampton South Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse and Pizza Nova provided a pizza lunch for Day of Caring volunteer groups of 8 or more.

Participating agencies were: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel, Brampton Caledon Community Living, Caledon Community Services, Canadian Mental Health Association – Peel Branch, Catholic Family Services of Peel-Dufferin, Community Living Mississauga, Our Place Peel, Peace Ranch, Peel Senior Link, SELF, The Mississauga Food Bank, and YMCA of Greater

Click here to read the full news release.

We first introduced you to Joshua Roul back in 2005 when he was just 3. Recently we were privileged to meet with Joshua again and we are excited to bring you this update on his progress.

A day after he was born in January 2002, Joshua was diagnosed with nerve damage to his left shoulder as the result of a difficult delivery. As serious as this situation was, it paled in comparison to what happened next.

“I had been heavily medicated due to complications because of the difficulty of the birth, and did not realize that there was something not quite right with his eyes until he was two days old,” explained Joshua’s mother, Jodi Roul.

“At this time, I saw that neither of his pupils was in the centre of his iris. Joshua was diagnosed with Ectopic Papillae et Lentis (dislocated pupils and lenses).”

To make matters worse, when Joshua was only six weeks old, he developed an abscess that required surgery. “Between doctor’s appointments, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and tests, we had not fully comprehended the impact this would have on his and our lives as a family,” said Jodi.

Eventually, Joshua was referred to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) - Halton-Peel, a United Way of Peel Region funded agency. A CNIB Early Intervention Specialist came to the Roul home to evaluate Joshua’s condition.

“Amanda [the Early Intervention Specialist] and I discussed what services she could offer through the CNIB,” said Jodi. “Amanda was always there to ensure that Joshua was getting the services and stimulation he needed to reach his developmental milestones. Without the help of the people at the CNIB, families and individuals affected by vision loss would have nowhere to turn for help.”

Today Joshua is 7. With the help of visual aids and an Educational Assistant he is able to fully participate in his grade 2 class. He lives a very active life and travels across Ontario and the northern United States as a competitive cheerleader with Power Cheer Toronto.

United Way of Peel Region is establishing a Black Community Advisory Council (BCAC) and seeks interested individuals from Peel’s diverse Black community to assist in developing and executing strategies that address key challenges affecting Peel’s Black community.

“It is our mission to engage with our community through partnerships, to ensure people are cared for, connected and included,” said United Way CEO Shelley White. “The BCAC is an opportunity for members of our diverse Black community to have a strong voice in developing specific programs and services which they feel will empower the community to thrive.”

The Council will be comprised of people from different segments of the Black community including African, Caribbean, Canadian, and anyone whose ethnic or ancestral origins are in Africa. Members will represent different sectors including business, health, education and the community.

The Black Community Advisory Council is one of three councils created as part of a diversity outreach initiative by United Way to build and promote inclusion in Peel Region. The Chinese Advisory Council was launched in 2007 and the South Asian Council was launched earlier this year.

If you are interested in joining the Black Community Advisory Council or would like to learn more, contact Sharon Douglas, Assistant Director, Community Investment at (905) 602-3620 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Click here to read the full news release.

On November 7, stylish young adults from across the region will don their favourite red attire and gather at the Mississauga Civic Centre Great Hall for Leadership in Style: A Red Tie Affair. The second annual fashion event is presented by United Way of Peel Region’s Young Leaders’ Council (YLC) and takes place from 1 to 4 p.m.

“This is a great opportunity to bring young people together to celebrate style, entrepreneurship and leadership in our community,” says Monika Platek, YLC Chair. “United Way’s Young Leaders Council recognizes that our peers have both talent and energy to share with our community. This event is one way to help bring them together.”

Tickets for the event are just $5 and include a fashion show and light refreshments. All proceeds go to United Way’s Community Fund.

The Young Leaders’ Council was established by United Way of Peel Region in 2008 and is made up of emerging young professionals between the ages of 20 to 35 who work together to actively promote volunteerism amongst our peers within Peel Region.

To purchase tickets, please contact Nicole Dupuis, United Way’s Volunteer and Youth Engagement Associate, at 905-602-3622 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Click here to read the full news release.

Shelley White, United Way of Peel Region CEO and Sanjay Makkar, President of Meadowvale Lion’s Club of Mississauga Churchill, with cheque to benefit United Way. The $3,000 donation is courtesy of the Meadowvale Lion’s Club of Mississauga Churchill golf tournament held in September.

Have a chance to win two round trip tickets to one of 77 Canadian, U.S., or international destinations serviced by WestJet, enjoy a sumptuous meal, and support our community by attending United Way of Peel Region’s Chefs’ Challenge. This popular and delicious event takes place October 27 at the Delta Meadowvale Resort and Conference Centre in Mississauga.

Guests will enjoy a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres provided by Liaison College of Culinary Arts and a silent auction at 6 p.m., followed by a marche-style dinner at 7 p.m. prepared by some of Mississauga’s top restaurants.

Celebrity chef and author Robert Rainford will be the master of ceremonies. Throughout the evening tickets will be sold for a chance to win two round trip tickets to any destination WestJet flies as the prize in our Chefs’ Challenge Raffle sponsored by Carlson Marketing.

The United Way 2009 Chefs’ Challenge is sponsored by AstraZeneca Canada Inc. in partnership with the Delta Meadowvale Resort & Conference Centre with the support of TD Bank Financial Group, The Data Group of Companies, West of the City and Carisma Florist Ltd., PSAV, and Wave 94.7. Premium wines for the event will be provided by Charton-Hobbs, a leading Canadian distributor of wine and spirits.

Individual tickets are $150 each and a table for 10 is $1,500. Visit www.chefschallenge.ca to download a ticket order form. But hurry! There are limited tickets still available for this almost sold out event.

All proceeds from the Chefs’ Challenge support United Way’s Community Fund. For more information about the Chefs’ Challenge or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities or donating an item to the silent auction, please contact Christine McIvor at 905-602-3650 ext. 2327 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

United Way committee members Tony Mercieca and Abhinav (Nav) Kalsi serving it up at pancake breakfast fundraiser. (Photo provided by UPS, Derry Road facility.)

The employees at the UPS, Derry Road facility had a successful 2009 United Way campaign. They surpassed their goal of $40,000, raising a grand total of $41,116. Funds were raised through pledge card donations and a variety of contests and events including a pancake breakfast, pizza day, gift basket silent auction, baby photo contest, and a mini Olympics. The campaign launched July 8 and wrapped up September 1.

Fall Day of Caring a success - 480 hours of time donated in a single day!

Recruitment underway for the Black Community Advisory Council

Upcoming Events

Chefs' Challenge
- October 27, 2009

Leadership in Style - a red tie affair - November 7, 2009