Building industry comes through for United Way

YorkRegion.com
June 20, 2014
Chris Traber

More than $829,000 was raised at the 32nd annual Building Industry Luncheon in support of United Way York Region’s In Every Neighbourhood initiative, a three-year commitment to provide 325,000 helping hands for people in municipalities across our region.

Some 1,200 members from the Greater Toronto Area’s building and development industry came together at Markham’s Le Parc to support the agency and honour York Region CEO and chairperson Bill Fisch, who is retiring this summer.

“When you leave here today, know that, thanks to your generosity, 13,000 people will get the United Way help they need close to home,” United Way CEO Daniele Zanotti said. “Your gift will provide crisis counselling for teenagers who have been waiting up to seven months, literacy and retraining for adults hungry for a new job to make ends meet, respite supports for families with adult children with developmental challenges.”

As United Way’s most successful one-day fundraising event, the annual luncheon has now raised more than $8 million to help build the region’s social service infrastructure.

Zanotti applauded luncheon committee chairpersons Jim V. De Gasperis, president and CEO, Condrain Group and Pemberton Group president Marc A. Muzzo. He also cited Fisch, who is serving his fifth consecutive term as the region’s lead.

“It’s an honour to be part of an event and an industry that is committed to giving back to their local community,” De Gasperis said. “The fact that we went from raising $775,000 last year to almost $830,000, a 7-per-cent increase over last year, shows just how much the building industry cares about not only York Region’s physical infrastructure, but our social infrastructure, too.”

In addition to record proceeds raised by the luncheon, a surprise pledge was also made.

Your Community Realty president and CEO and United Way’s major individual giving cabinet chairperson Vivian Risi committed $50,000 to the campaign.

“I am a proud York Region resident, but, sadly, the vital supports needed to help people are not readily available,” Risi said. “Far too many people, in far too many of our neighbourhoods, lack a helping hand close to home. This is why my work with United Way is so important.” 

The event also included a special tribute to Fisch, a long-serving luncheon committee chairperson. He was honoured with United Way York Region’s Cornerstone Award. The recognition celebrates individuals or corporations whose long-standing support to United Way contributes significantly to human services across York Region. Fisch becomes only the second recipient of this coveted acknowledgement in United Way’s 37-year history. The late building industry luncheon founder, Alfredo De Gasperis, received the inaugural Cornerstone in 2007.

United Way plays a unique role in our region, bringing people, business, labour and community agencies together to ensure people get the help they need in every neighbourhood, Fisch said 

“Our region is a better place for all, thanks to the work of United Way,” he added.