United Way thanks 'neighbours' for contributions

January 23, 2014
YorkRegion.com
By Chris Traber

Won’t You Be My Neighbour?

This morning, in the theatrical persona of iconic Fred Rogers, United Way York Region CEO Daniele Zanotti gave us the answer to that famous children’s television theme song.

Announcing United Way’s In Every Neighbourhood campaign is at 27 per cent, $8.1 million, of its historic $30 million three-year community goal, the showman confirmed his agency has a lot of supportive neighbours.

“Last summer, we launched an ambitious three-year goal of bringing a United Way helping hand to every neighbourhood, and six months in, thanks to each and every one of you, we are almost one third of the way,” Mr. Zanotti told a packed United Way’s 2013 Celebration event audience at Angus Glen Golf Club in Markham.

As part of In Every Neighbourhood, United Way York Region is already expanding its Strength Investments funding to municipalities that lack social infrastructure and programs, Mr. Zanotti said.

A minimum of $30,000 per year for the next three years will support projects that bring people together to work on local issues in East Gwillimbury. Another $30,000 per year for the next three years will be invested in Whitchurch-Stouffville. This commitment to bring vital frontline social services to underserved neighbourhoods will ensure youth, families and seniors can access the supports they need close to home.

In Every Neighbourhood came to life when State Farm Canada senior vice-president and chief agent Barbara Bellissimo visited Milliken Mills in Markham. 

“As I walked around and learned about the work of United Way in this community, I didn’t see need, sadness, despair,” said Ms Bellissimo, the volunteer 2013 United Way campaign chairperson. “Instead, I saw hope, I saw resolve, I saw many happy faces, young and old. I saw a neighbourhood at work, solving issues, getting on with their lives with the support of a United Way helping hand.”

Milliken Mills is a place of hope thanks to United Way, she said, adding the campaign is an aspiration to create the neighbourhoods we want to live in, places where community can come together and residents have the supports they need to succeed in life.

The celebration recognizes the many donors, volunteers and companies that champion United Way across York Region.

The 2013 Spirit Awards were given to organizations and individuals that achieved outstanding results through their United Way support.

2013 Spirit Awards recipients:
• 2013 Student Campaign Spirit Award (secondary level): Holy Trinity School
• 2013 Student Campaign Spirit Award (elementary level): Sir Richard W. Scott Catholic Elementary School
• 2013 partner Agency Spirit Award, one to 99 employees: Job Skills
• 2013 partner Agency Spirit Award, 100-plus employees: Vita Community Living Services
• 2013 Day of Caring Volunteer Spirit Award in honour of Michael J. Donoghue: MMM Group Limited
• Douglas E. Lear Award: Darcy Bonner, Allstate Insurance Company of Canada
• 2013 Municipal Challenge, one to 299 employees: Town of East Gwillimbury
• 2013 Municipal Challenge, 300-plus employees: Town of Richmond Hill
• 2013 Community Campaign Spirit Award: PowerStream Inc.
• 2013 Quantum Leap Spirit Award, one to 99 employees: Nexans Canada Inc.
• 2013 Quantum Leap Spirit Award, 100 to 299 employees: Lexmark Canada Inc.
• 2013 Quantum Leap Spirit Award, 300-plus employees: City of Vaughan
• 2013 Corporate Spirit Award, one to 99 employees: Canso Investment Counsel Ltd.
• 2013 Corporate Spirit Award, 100 to 299 employees: Lexmark Canada Inc.
• 2013 Corporate Spirit Award, 300-plus employees: IBM Canada Ltd.
• 2013 Leadership Giving Spirit Award, one to 99 employees: Canso Investment Counsel Ltd.
• 2013 Leadership Giving Spirit Award, 100 to 299 employees: Lexmark Canada Inc.
• 2013 Leadership Giving Spirit Award, 300-plus employees: WorleyParsons
• 2013 Leadership Giving Spirit Award (national or regional campaigns), 300-plus employees:
Acklands-Grainger Inc.
• 2013 Leadership and Major Individual Giving Ambassador Award in honour of Michael Hortie: Heather Mason-Wood, Canso Investment Counsel Ltd.
• 2013 Union Support Award: D.A.L.I. Local 675
• 2013 Employee Campaign Spirit Award, one to 99 employees: ITW Construction Products
• 2013 Employee Campaign Spirit Award, 100 to 299 employees: Lexmark Canada Inc.
• 2013 Employee Campaign Spirit Award, 300-plus employees: Regional Municipality of York and York Regional Police
• 2013 Employee Campaign Spirit Award (national or regional campaigns), 300-plus employees: Allstate Insurance Company of Canada
• 2013 York Region Community Spirit Award, one to 99 employees: Canso Investment Counsel Ltd.
• 2013 York Region Community Spirit Award, 100 to 299 employees: Lexmark Canada Inc.
• 2013 York Region Community Spirit Award (national or regional campaigns), 300-plus employees: State Farm
• 2013 York Region Community Spirit Award, 300-plus employees: Regional Municipality of York and York Regional Police
Celebration Sponsors:
• Title sponsor: IBM Canada Ltd.
• Gold sponsors: Acklands-Grainger Inc., AECOM, Allstate Insurance Company of Canada, MMM Group Limited, State Farm
• Media sponsor: Metroland Media Group