The numbers were impressive: 10,700 donors, 550 volunteers, 300 participating workplaces and $5.5 million raised.
Mathematical achievements aside, the success of United Way Greater Victoria’s 2015 fundraising campaign was all about community spirit and giving.
It’s why the region’s largest non-government funding organization holds its annual Spirit Awards luncheon, as it did again April 22 at the Empress Hotel.
“It’s an opportunity to be part of a community of people who care about building this community. That and its focus on youth poverty and strengthening opportunities for children resonates with me, and it’s part of our responsibility,” said Jamie Cassels, University of Victoria’s president and vice-chancellor who received the afternoon’s most prestigious honour, the Chair’s Award of Distinction.
Cassels, who became UVic’s president in 2013, was explaining why he has had such a long relationship with the agency that inspired the university to pull off the capital region’s second-highest-grossing campaign last year.
“There are lots of demands on people but what we found was that participation among our entire [UVic] community has grown every year. People want to give back.”
Since 1994, UVic has been a strategic partner, raising almost $4.8 million to support the campaign, including over $278,000 for 2015. It has also supported it through sponsorship and research partnerships.
Fifteen workplaces and individuals were recognized for their contributions to the campaign to help local charitable organizations fund programs to address pressing social challenges.
In expressing her gratitude to Cassels for his support as a donor and champion, and for his leadership, United Way CEO Patricia Jelinski said: “His personal dedication to philanthropy and our community is inspiring.”
Campaign chair Bruce Williams has been involved with the United Way for more than 20 years, beginning in Ontario and continuing when the CTV and CFAX broadcaster relocated to Vancouver Island in 2001.
“United Way touches more lives than any other agency in town,” helping about 97,000 people locally over the past year, said Williams.
“It’s an organization that encompasses all ages, all demographics and all geographic areas in the capital region. It’s the umbrella over everything, so for me it’s a wise investment of my time and my money.”
Donor support helped change lives through over 110 funded programs that the agency says represents 8,000 families, 27,000 children and youth and 62,000 individuals.
This year’s Spirit Awards recipients included:
• Naden Band Spirit of Excellence Award — Royal Roads University with Royal Roads Faculty Association and Canadian Union of Public Employees 3886
• Triple Crown — Schneider Electric
• Outstanding Workplace Campaign — Greater Victoria Public Library with Canadian Union of Public Employees 410
• Power of You — Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada with Public Service Alliance of Canada Union of National Employees
• Outstanding Employee Campaign Chair, under 100 employees — Cory Mireau from Island Savings Mayfair Branch
• Outstanding Employee Campaign Chair, over 100 employees — Shawn Johnson from TD Canada Trust
• Outstanding Campaign Committee — HP Advanced Solutions with B.C. Government Employees Union 1201
• Leadership Giving — Canada Revenue Agency with Public Service Alliance of Canada Union of Taxation Employees 20028 and Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada
• Community Impact — Stantec Consulting Ltd.
• Community Partner — Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria with B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union 301
• Labour Partnership — Viking Air Ltd with Unifor 114
• Engineering Challenge — Read Jones Christofferson Ltd.
• Post-Secondary Cup — University of Victoria
• Financial Challenge — RBC Royal Bank
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