United Way News

United Way of Saskatoon & Area Celebrates
2011 Community Campaign Total

On Tuesday, January 24, 2012 United Way of Saskatoon & Area announced the results of the 2011 Community Campaign. A press conference held at the Saskatoon Indian & Métis Friendship Centre (SIMFC) revealed a total of $6,374,143 for our community. This result surpassed the goal of $6.2 Million set in September, and is the largest-ever Community Campaign for United Way of Saskatoon & Area.

The press conference kicked-off with messages from Executive Director Sheri Benson, thanking the community for their continued confidence in United Way of Saskatoon and Area. ‘Your confidence allows our organization to take action against poverty; to create learning and personal development opportunities; and to take steps towards a safe and more accessible community for everyone’.

Last night, United Way of Saskatoon & Area hosted a celebration of their achievement. The theme for the evening was ‘Change Worth Celebrating’. Special guests spoke about the positive impact and positive changes that will develop from the money raised during the Community Campaign; and workplaces and volunteers were recognized for their outstanding contributions and community spirit.

United Way of Saskatoon & Area’s mission is to improve lives and build community by engaging individuals and mobilizing collective action. By focusing on four community-identified priority areas, United Way strives to bring about long-term improvements to the quality of life in our community. Funds raised during the 2011 Community Campaign will be invested back into the community to support this mission.

Cameco Workplace Campaign Surpasses $1M

The Employee Giving Campaign at Cameco continues to inspire and excite us each and every year.  In 2007 Cameco, its employees and their union (USW Local 8914) were presented with United Way’s Thanks a Million Award. This award recognizes campaigns that reach a cumulative total of $1M over several years. In Cameco’s case, it took from 2004-2007. Then in 2009, Cameco reached another cumulative milestone and was awarded the $2M award.  Now in 2011, they have the distinction of becoming the first group, not only in Saskatoon but in Saskatchewan, to raise more than $1M in one campaign year!

Thank you to CEO, Tim Gitzel for his support and leadership, to the campaign coordinating team (Jonathan Huntington, Sue Pratt and Cory Wolfe), to the canvassers at Corporate Office and the Northern mine sites, and to each and every donor. You have all made a difference and contributed to positive change in Saskatoon and Area.

Change starts here.

United Way of Saskatoon and Area would like to extend congratulations to Cameco, its employees and their union (USW Local 8914) for raising a total of $1,010,000. Cameco is the first campaign in Saskatchewan to achieve the $1 million milestone!

Girl Guides Builds Confidence

submitted to United Way by an anonymous Girl Guides leader

Last year, I met S. She was new to the community, which is difficult for any 11-year old, but in S’s case she was also dealing with some family instability. She was very quiet and shy, she looked at the floor a lot, and barely spoke. Her family required financial assistance to enroll S in Girl Guides, which prompted us to use some of our United Way funding to pay S’s registration, purchase her uniform, her program and her book. S really blossomed in the Girl Guides program. She started off rarely making eye contact, and ended up cheerfully singing along with the rest of the girls.

Our weekly meetings with the same leaders, in the same place, with the same friends and same meeting routine became a source of stability for S. The small group setting made her feel safe enough to start chatting with the other girls, and eventually she even voiced her opinions. All of these changes happened within just one year. Without United Way funding, S would not have been able to participate, and it’s doubtful that she would be on the confident path of learning she’s on right now.

Regional Headquarters (PRA) Gives Back to the Community: Baby Food Drive

Submitted to United Way by: April Morris, A/Regional Communications Manager and GCWCC 2011 Co-Chair

Correctional Service Canada, Regional Headquarters (Prairie Region) held a very successful United Way workplace campaign again this year, surpassing their goal and raising a grand total of $34,000. Congratulations and Thank You to everyone involved!

Part of their workplace campaign included a United Way speaker from Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre. The speaker inspired this dedicated group to do even more for our community. Keep reading to find out how they took their campaign to the next level.

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Final Thermometer Announcement until Achievement

As of Friday, December 2, citizens of Saskatoon & Area have contributed $5,324,454 to
United Way’s Community Campaign – 85% of our total goal of $6.2 million. Thank you for helping us to reach this level. These dollars are contributed back into your community – making it a place that is truly great, for everyone!

Over the next six weeks the community will not hear from United Way, but know that we are still hard at work. We will be diligent in our efforts to meet goal, ensuring we raise the most money possible for our community. If you would like to make a donation, please phone our office at 975-7700 or click on the Donate Now button on our homepage.

Mark your calendars - the total amount raised during our 2011 Community Campaign will be announced on Tuesday January 24, 2012. We will have an Achievement Announcement in the morning with the Celebration and Awards Ceremony to follow in the evening. The ceremony will take place at TCU Place. Please contact our office for more information.

Give Today. Change A Life Forever.