United Way celebrates 10 years of Day of Caring™

From left to right
Volunteers take a break from teaching Chinese Newcomers about pumpkin carving at The Cross-Cultural Community Services Association.

Barb Anderson,Intuit Software; Edwina Cheung, The Cross-Cultural Community Services Association; Shelley White, United Way CEO; Lin Ferguson, United Way staff; Daljit Kaur, Intuit Software; Kevin Wang, Intuit Software; Doris Ng, Intuit Software; and Denny Poulin,Intuit Software.

Pumpkin carving, yard cleanups, painting and computer training were among the 22 projects completed today by more than 125 volunteers during the 10th anniversary of United Way of Peel Region’s Day of Caring™. The semi-annual event provides a unique opportunity for employees from companies and organizations across the region to spend a day helping at a local United Way funded agency. Through their experience, the volunteers learn more about community issues and the services supported by United Way.

“During the last 10 years we have seen tremendous growth in Peel and with that, an increased demand for agency services,” said United Way President and CEO Shelley White. “Day of Caring™ is instrumental in preserving agency resources and ensuring maximum funding goes to the vital frontline programs and services that hundreds of thousands of men, women and children in our community depend on.”

Over the last decade more than 2,200 employees across Peel contributed more than 13,000 hours of their time to United Way funded agencies through Day of Caring™.

“We want to extend a special congratulations and thank you to the Region of Peel and its employees for their dedication and ongoing support of United Way and our community,” said White. “While many organizations have participated in Day of Caring™ over the years, the Region of Peel is the only one that has participated each year since we started Day of Caring™ in 2000.”

The event was sponsored by TD Canada Trust employees serving Mississauga. Paint and related supplies were donated by the Brampton North Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse, and a pizza lunch was provided by Pizza Nova for volunteer groups of 8 or more.

To read our full news release with a list of participating agencies, corporations and organizations click here.

Photos can be viewed at on Flickr.

United Way announces PepsiCo Canada Leadership Challenge Grant

Photo credit: Mike Scholz

From left to right: Carl Oxholm, 2010 Board Chair, United Way of Peel Region; Linda Kuga Pikulin, President, PepsiCo Beverages Canada; Marc Guay, President, PepsiCo Foods Canada; and Shelley White, CEO, United Way of Peel Region

United Way of Peel Region is thrilled to announce the creation of its first-ever Leadership Challenge Grant. The 2010 PepsiCo Canada Leadership Challenge Grant, supported jointly by PepsiCo Beverages Canada and PepsiCo Foods Canada, will match dollar-for-dollar, up to a total of $100,000, all new or increased gifts of $1,000 or more to United Way’s Community Fund. This matching grant is available for the duration of the 2010 campaign.

“Stepping up to provide the inaugural Leadership Challenge Grant is one way that PepsiCo Canada can demonstrate its strong commitment to the community in which we live, work and do business,” said Linda Kuga Pikulin, President, PepsiCo Beverages Canada. “United Way creates lasting change in the lives of individuals, families and neighbourhoods in our community. PepsiCo Canada is proud to be an active partner in supporting this vital work.”

The grant gives individuals who are considering a gift to United Way an extra incentive to demonstrate outstanding generosity and concern for our community.

“At PepsiCo Canada we are committed to delivering our mission of ‘Performance with Purpose’, which is, achieving success while leaving a positive imprint on society,” said Marc Guay, President, PepsiCo Foods Canada. “Establishing this Leadership Challenge Grant for United Way creates momentum for the 2010 campaign by prompting more people to give, and we are confident that it will also help to build better futures for thousands of people in our community.”

To read our full news release click here.

Sylvia gives thanks

Thanksgiving was always a special time for Sylvia Flynn. In addition to it being one of her favourite holidays, it was also her wedding anniversary. She and her husband Douglas had married on a Thanksgiving weekend more than 50 years ago. Since then, every Thanksgiving, Sylvia would prepare an intimate meal for two: turkey or roast beef, potatoes, squash and other vegetables. It was their tradition until 2004 when Douglas unexpectedly passed away. With no children, Sylvia in her 80s, was left on her own.

“He was my whole life,” she says.

Several months after her husband’s death, Sylvia read in her local newspaper about the Caledon Meals on Wheels Congregate Dining program for seniors and decided to join. Funded by United Way, the program reduces isolation by providing social dinning and other programs that assist seniors to stay connected with their community and live active, social lifestyles.

Thanks to United Way and the Caledon Meals on Wheels Congregate Dining program, this Thanksgiving Sylivia was not alone. She enjoyed an entertaining afternoon which included a delicious meal in the pleasant company of other residents from her community.

“It was such a lovely day and I had a great time,” says Sylvia. “I’m already looking forward to next year.”

When you support United Way, you invest in programs and services that help create a healthy community where no one is left behind, left out or left on their own.

“Being able to get out and socialize really makes life worth living,” says Sylvia.

Chinese hub officially opens

Left to Right: Audrey Chiang, Chair, Mississauga Board of Chinese Professionals & Business. Allan Thompson, Regional Councillor, Region of Peel; Genevieve Wong, President, Carefirst Seniors & Community Services Association; Bob Delaney, MPP Mississauga-Streetsville; Bonnie Crombie, MP Mississauga-Streetsville; Victor Oh, Vice Chair, Safe City Mississauga; Hazel McCallion, Mississauga Mayor; Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism; Bob Dechert, MP Mississauga Erindale; Kathy Zhao, President, Mississauga Mandarin Association; Stephen Chu, President, Mississauga Chinese Business Association; Sharon Douglas, Assistant Director, Community Investment, United Way of Peel Region.

Federal, provincial, regional and municipal leaders, along with community partners and volunteers gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the official grand opening of the Peel Chinese Community Service Hub (PCCSH) in September. Located in Unit 81 at 1177 Central Parkway West, the PCCSH is a culturally sensitive, language-specific, social service centre for Chinese residents and immigrants of all ages. It aims to link residents with volunteer, employment and settlement services to enhance successful integration. It also serves as an information and education centre with a broad range of programs designed to strengthen neighborhoods and empower our community.

The PCCSH was a recommendation based on the 2008 report, The Needs and Challenges of the Chinese Community in Peel Region by United Way of Peel’s Chinese Advisory Council. It is a collaborative initiative between the Mississauga Board of Chinese Professionals and Businesses; Mississauga Chinese Business Association; Mississauga Mandarin Association; Region of Peel Human Services; Chinese Advisory Council, United Way of Peel Region; and Carefirst Seniors & Community Services Association.

Peel is home to more than 60,000 people of Chinese origin who make up 9.4 per cent of Peel’s visible minority population.

Tri-hospital joint United Way campaign exceeds goal

In the first-ever tri-hospital campaign for United Way of Peel Region and United Way Toronto, staff, physicians and volunteers at the Credit Valley Hospital, Trillium Health Centre and William Osler Health System joined forces to raise an incredible $88,084. The result is almost triple their $30,000 goal.

Throughout the campaign, the three hospitals competed to raise the most money, achieve the highest percentage increase in donations over last year and demonstrate the strongest spirit. Trillium Health Centre received the Percentage Increase Award for achieving a 476% increase over last year in total funds raised. William Osler Health System walked away with the Spirit Award by sending a team out into the community to visit United Way agencies and meet their clients and staff. The Credit Valley Hospital won the overall competition by raising $40,147.

“This campaign has been a unique opportunity for our three hospitals to come together in support of people in our neighbourhoods who need the services of United Way agencies,” said Matt Anderson, President and CEO of William Osler Health System. “The United Way is a critical resource in our community for our friends, our neighbours, our patients and their families.”

To read our full news release click here.

Register for the Marathon and save HST

Register now for the 2011 Mississauga Marathon, taking place next May 14 and 15. The earlier you register, the earlier you can benefit from outstanding bonus offers. Register by October 27 and save the HST. The sooner you register, the more you save.

As a charity partner of the Marathon, United Way invites you to register as an individual runner, join a team, or pledge a runner. There are a variety of running events to enter, ensuring a fun run for all ages and athletic abilities. Registrations received by May 2 will have their first name or team name printed on their bib.

All pledges donated to United Way through the marathon go directly to our Community Fund, which helps change lives and build better futures. Last year donors contributed $3,300 to United Way through the marathon.
To learn more about the marathon, registration and bonus offers visit www.mississaugamarathon.com or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

See Nutcracker for United Way

Here’s your chance to enjoy the arts and help support our community at the same time! Mississauga’s Living Arts Centre is offering a special promotion to benefit United Way.

When you purchase tickets to The Nutcracker (December 4 and 5), enter the promotional code UNITED and 20 per cent of your ticket price will be donated to United Way's Community Fund.

To learn more about this great opportunity, click here, visit www.livingartscentre.ca or call the Living Arts Centre box office at (905) 306-6000.

When he was 22, Robert Ditchburn lost touch with reality. He was consumed with thoughts that his coworkers were talking about him behind his back and that his employer was trying to harm him.

Alarmed by Robert's behaviour, his father took him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and given medication. Robert had joined the ranks of the 1 in 5 people in Canada who will personally experience a mental illness. Robert returned to work two years later but relapsed when he stopped taking his medication. After a two-month hospitalization,

Robert lost his job and feared for his future. He agonized over how he would get his life back on track. More

October 30
Region of Peel 5K Run, Walk and Roll

November 17
Step Up and Learn - Negotiations/ Influencing workshop

December 4, 5
The Nutcracker
at the Living Arts Centre
20% of ticket price donated to UWPR with promo code UNITED.

Posters:
Download 11x17 or 8.5x11 posters featuring the stories showcased in the 2009 Annual Report. Click here!