Blog Entries by Year:  2011 | 2010 | 2009

 

December 17, 2010 | Chrysler Canada Employees and Retirees Contribute More than a Million Dollars to United Way Windsor-Essex

At a celebration at its headquarters this morning, Chrysler Canada announced that the company's employees and retirees in Windsor-Essex County have committed $1,172,561.11 to the United Way for the 2011 calendar year. On hand at the event were Reid Bigland, Chrysler Canada President and CEO; Rick Laporte, 2010 Windsor-Essex United Way Campaign Chair and President of CAW Local 444; Lorraine Goddard, United Way - Senior Director Community Impact; and employees from the Windsor Assembly Plant and headquarters. "What a magnificent gift to our community!" stated Goddard. "These dollars will be invested to support basic needs and independence, children and families and neighbourhood engagement."

Chrysler Canada has been a significant corporate presence in the Windsor area since its founding in 1925. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chrysler Group LLC, which was formed in 2009 from a global strategic alliance with Fiat Group. The alliance builds on Chrysler's culture of innovation and Fiat's complementary technology, allowing the company to offer an expanded lineup of fuel-efficient vehicles well-suited to Canadian customer needs. Facilities in the Windsor-Essex region include the Chrysler Canada headquarters, the Temple Drive offices, the Automotive Research & Development Centre and the Windsor Assembly Plant. "We have been touched and humbled by the support this community has extended to Chrysler Canada over the years," said Bigland. "The company is doing very well this year, and we are pleased to give back to Windsor-Essex through this United Way commitment."

Sales of Chrysler Canada products grew 28 per cent this year compared with 2009, with the Windsor-built Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country posting a 42 per cent increase calendar year to date. Production at the Windsor Assembly Plant is up 67 per cent over 2009, and the plant continues to operate on three shifts. Employees at the plant, as well as throughout the other company locations, have a long history of charitable engagement. "Giving back to the community is one of our passions," said Laporte. "It represents the true sense of caring about our neighbours, which is what the United Way is all about. CAW Local 444 are community partners, making a community difference." The contribution from Chrysler Canada brings the United Way Windsor-Essex Campaign total thus far to $4.12 million, or 82 per cent of the organization's goal of five million dollars. Additional information and news from Chrysler is available at http://www.media.chrysler.com.

December 13, 2010 | Ford Motor Company, Nemak Canada and CAW Locals 200 and 240 support their community through the United Way!

 

The leadership and volunteers from Ford Motor Company, Nemak and CAW Locals 200 & 240 chose a unique way to announce their support to the United Way campaign. The company, its workforce and retirees came together to form live "Holiday Giving Tree" which included the figures of their final campaign results. "Ford Motor Company, in partnership with Nemak Canada and CAW members are strongly committed to helping people in our community. We know that United Way has created three priority areas for investments over the next three to five years, and we support this new direction in funding." stated Alex Maciag, Site Manager. Nemak Canada and its workforce share in the support for the future of our community.

 

"We recently reported some very positive news regarding our own local plant in terms of new investments and the preservation of jobs." stated Plant Manager, Mark Provost. "Our employees have once again stepped forward to share in the future of Windsor-Essex" he stated. Dan Cassady, President of CAW Local 200, echoed the praise for the workforce. "Our members are second to none, in terms of the commitment they have for helping people in our community in so many ways. I am so proud of their dedication to helping others." he stated. When the final results were tabulated, the combined contribution from Ford Motor Company, Nemak Canada, their workforce and retirees, totaled an amazing $645,750. That total represents a gift of more than $404. per employee.

 

Darby McCloskey, the United Way co-chairperson for the campaign, announced the result at a news conference today at the CAW Local 200/444 Hall. United Way representatives were there to celebrate. "Today's announcement has given some momentum toward our goal of $5 million. To date, our campaign has raised $3.55 million, but we still have an additional $1.45 million to raise" stated Lorraine Goddard, Senior Director of Community Impact for the United Way. "We are asking residents of Windsor Essex County to give the gift that works all year" she stated.

 

 

November 22, 2010

Written by: Melissa Johnson, 2010 United Way Loaned Representative
Some people laughed. Some people stared. Some people were confused, but everyone was talking. Everyone except the Flash Mobbers.

This past Friday, shoppers in Devonshire mall were stunned when hundreds of ordinary people all stopped at the same moment, apparently frozen in place. At 6:30pm sharp volunteers for United Way Windsor-Essex stopped what they were doing and removed their coats to reveal their 'LEAD UNITED' T-shirts and froze in place for two minutes. Passers-by were surprised by the massive flash mob and many stopped their busy holiday shopping to ask what was happening.

The purpose of the staged Flash Mob was to bring people together in one particular space at a specific time to do something out of the ordinary to create awareness, intrigue, and curiosity about LEAD UNITED and our local United Way. The thought behind the activity was to take a few minutes to remind everyday people to STOP and THINK about their community, and to highlight how our community as a whole must support each other to change the lives of our fellow neighbors, friends, peers, and families.

Volunteers described the event as fun and engaging. Evana Denis said, "I thought it was a really creative way to get peoples' attention. It's so easy to forget about giving back during the holidays, because everyone is so busy. But this was a fun way to remind people." To watch the video of the United Way Devonshire Flash Mob, visit www.weareunited.com/flashmob

November 15, 2010

On October 29th, 2010, United Way held the 2nd Annual iClimb for United Way. United Way welcomed over 300 participants and 40 teams this year. This year, over $37,000 in pledges and sponsorship was raised in support of our community. We couldn't have done it without the help of our volunteers and corporate sponsors. For more details about the iClimb, visit www.weareunited.com/iclimb.

This year, the Top Individual Prize was awarded to Kip Wierenga, an employee from Reliance Home Comfort. Reliance Home Comfort not only registered a team, but in addition, volunteered at the event. Following the event, a United Way Staff member received the following note from Lynda Pizzolitto (a volunteer and team member) and the Reliance Home Comfort Team. A big thank you to Reliance Home Comfort for participating at this year's iClimb.

I wanted to take a moment tocongratulate you and your team for an amazingwell run event.I had theprivilege to be part of both lastyear's event and this year's.

After helping out last year and seeing what fun the teams had when they climbed, I was convinced that we (Reliance Home Comfort) needed to be part of the climbers this year. I was able to see both thevolunteer side and the participants side and all I can say is Wow..I am not sure how early you started to set up or perhaps you were there all night. Your efforts were certainly evident .

I don't think that you missed a thing everything was so wellorganized and run, it was easy to get in and out and the health fair was an added benefit.As a volunteer it couldn't have been easier. you had everything done for us. I am sure that there was months of prework that went into thisone dayfrom a great team.

All I can say is great job and thanks.

Sincerely,

Lynda Pizzolitto
Reliance Home Comfort

August 24, 2010

The 2009 Well-Being Report, outlining statistics regarding the Windsor-Essex community, was released to the public earlier this week. To view the report online, visit www.weareunited.com/reports. To check out the Windsor Star article that was posted on August 24th, 2010, click here.

July 29, 2010

Over the next five years, United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex will focus its energy and resources on Supporting Basic Needs & Independence, Positioning Kids & Families for Success and Creating Thriving Neighbourhoods. The following strategies are being supported by United Way in order to achieve these initiatives. To learn more about our New Direction and our Community Investment Priorities, click here.

July 26, 2010

What a fitting tribute to celebrate a long term commitment of support to our community!

On behalf of the United Way Board Members and staff, we would like to extend our most sincere thanks to all of the members of the General Motors / CAW 90th Celebration Committee for their donation of $15,019.73 to the United Way.

General Motors of Canada, through both the Windsor Transmission Plant and Windsor Trim Plants, partnered with CAW Local 1973, its members and retirees to create a legacy of commitment to social responsibility and support of individuals and families in our community. Together, they have supported literally hundreds of charitable causes and activities, perhaps none was more visible than their long term commitment to the United Way.

Though United Way's active records and with some forecasting, we know that commitment was over $20 million over the last 90 years. We thank General Motors of Canada, the Windsor Transmission and Trim Plants, along with CAW Local 1973, for their most generous support!





July 13, 2010

United Way Wins Award

Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Canada South Chapter celebrated their 50th Anniversary of AFP with a Fundraising Day in June at Caesar's Windsor. At the celebration, three awards were presented:

Impact on Our Community Award - The Ontario Trillium Foundation
Outstanding Career in Fundraising - Ron Foster, Windsor Regional Hospital
Outstanding Agency in Fundraising - United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex

Congratulations to all recipients, and to the United Way staff and volunteers.



Patrick Goggins, Chair of the United Way Board of Directors, accepting the AFP Award in June



June 24, 2010

United in a Hard Hit Community

Through volunteer support and sponsorship, The Great-West Life Assurance Company has demonstrated their desire to help the residents of Windsor and Essex County time and time again.

Check out their Public Accountability Statement to learn how they are working to help not only our community, but communities all over Canada. Our local United Way is featured in this booklet (page 27).



June 11, 2010

Leadership Windsor-Essex | 9th Annual Commencement Ceremony