Unprecedented United Way campaign hopes to raise $30 million in 3 years

August 20, 2013 · 0 Comments

United Way York Region (UWYR) announced an unprecedented community goal to raise $30 million in 3 years – so Jenny, and thousands like her, can get the support they need close to home.
The announcement was made Aug. 17, amidst hundreds of eager paddlers ready to compete at the Toromont CAT Dragon Boat Festival.
Daniele Zanotti, CEO, UWYR, said: “Once a week, for three years, Jenny woke up at 5 am, two kids in tow, waited for a bus on the outskirts of East Gwillimbury, and traveled south to a second then third bus to get her daughter the mental health supports she needed – in Scarborough. Because there just wasn’t anything in her neighbourhood.
“Imagine the help Jenny and her family needed – close to home,” said Zanotti. “Imagine a network of care and support in every neighbourhood – Vaughan or King, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Georgina, East Gwillimbury, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill or Aurora. In three years, we will know we have succeeded when people and families in municipalities across this region can say, ‘there is help in my neighbourhood.’”
“The demand for services across our region is outpacing our supply – stretching an already slim network of agency partners,” said Helen Murray, board chair, UWYR. “And in every municipality, residents told us that what makes communities great is social infrastructure: places where people can go and find the help they need. This is why we are launching a three-year campaign to raise $30 million: to ensure appropriate frontline services in every neighbourhood in York Region. Because we know communities with supports and services are more likely to benefit from better health, higher educational achievement, and better economic growth.”
Barbara Bellissimo, senior vice-president and chief agent, State Farm Canada, and 2013 campaign chair, expressed support for this aggressive three-year plan.
“Our volunteer team of corporate and community leaders is excited by this bold goal. And thanks to all of you … and the individuals and businesses that have already committed to partner with us, we have an opportunity to make great neighbourhoods across this region even greater for all.”
Bellissimo also thanked the event’s title sponsor, Toromont CAT, a company who has lent its name to this event for six years.
Andrew Quattrociocchi, P&S marketing manager, Toromont CAT is proud of his company’s deep-rooted sense of corporate responsibility and long-standing partnership with United Way.
“Toromont CAT is truly a leader in the community and to giving back. In fact, our biggest philanthropic contribution in terms of time and money has been to United Way York Region – having raised over $2 million dollars to date for their important work in the community.”
Additional event sponsors included Platinum sponsors Acklands-Grainger Inc., IBM Canada and Seneca College and Gold sponsor State Farm Canada.
This year’s Toromont CAT Dragon Boat Festival raised $120,000. Congratulations to Acklands-Grainger Dragon Masters for winning the coveted A Division Championship at the annual Toromont CAT Dragon Boat Festival in support of United Way York Region.
United Way York Region serves nine municipalities Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Whitchurch-Stouffville. In addition to its traditional role of supporting agencies to meet urgent needs, United Way is working to tackle the root causes of social issues. To help strengthen York Region’s quality of life, United Way is uniting people and resources on three priorities: moving people from poverty to possibility, helping kids be all they can be, and building strong neighbourhoods.