Campaign Volunteers
CIBC Mellon's United Way campaign volunteers tell us why they support the United Way
Five members of the CIBC Mellon's campaign committee share their personal stories of why they support the United Way.
We all have our own reasons for getting involved. The volunteers on the CIBC Mellon campaign decided to share with their colleagues (and you), their very personal reasons for supporting United Way.
The United Way helped me through a tough time
by Jennifer Zingel, CIBC Mellon's Volunteer Campaign Canvasser
Four years ago, my loving father passed away after being diagnosed with an extremely aggressive cancerous brain tumour. After the neurosurgeons at Sunnybrook Hospital operated on my terminally ill father, they recommended we take him to York Central's hospice services for his final weeks.
This United Way funded agency provided my dad with amazing care. The nurses and doctors had been specially trained to deal with terminally ill patients and their loved ones. The nurses would sing and talk to my dad even though he began to sleep away most of the day in a coma-like state.
In the end, all of dad's children were there when he passed away.
To this day, I continue to be grateful to the United Way for supporting hospice services and helping us through a difficult time.
How my grandmother inspired me to support the United Way
by Anchel Ghai, CIBC Mellon's Volunteer Campaign Communications
My grandmother immigrated to Canada in the 1970s. She had a relatively strong understanding of English, but didn't know the culture very well.
In the 1980s she decided to take English classes to help her take command of the language and to learn more about Canadian culture.
She would live with us for a few months out of the year. During her visits I would rush home from school so we could read together—everything from her English class books, to my school textbooks, and even the books we would pick up together from our weekly trip to the library.
To this day, my parents insist that I inherited my love for reading from my grandmother—and I agree.
I don't know if the classes she took were supported by the United Way, but I do know that the United Way has a number of programs that help newcomers learn English and Canadian culture.
Why do I support the United Way? There are so many reasons—but none are more important than my belief that the United Way helps families build strong relationships and makes newcomers feel welcome in Canada.
A sense of community inspires me to support the United Way
by Angela Davis-Coombs, CIBC Mellon's Volunteer Canvasser Co-coordinator
I’ve been fortunate that my family hasn’t needed the support of United Way funded agencies. I realize that life can change, and that you never know when you may need to count on the community for help.
I can only imagine if I was unemployed, or we were suddenly without a home. What if my aging parents needed assistance, my children needed special help to aid their education or I was in an abusive relationship and needed support to get out? What would I do if I was new to Canada and had no support or understanding of the language or culture?
I can only imagine how grateful I would be for the United Way and its supported agencies.
I support the United Way because of my sense of community. Sometimes, we need a little assistance. The United Way and its supported agencies provide this help.
The United Way, its more than 20,000 volunteers and the 200 agencies it funds help us build stronger communities – and I am proud to be a part of this community.
How the United Way made a difference in my life
by Sarah Lennox, CIBC Mellon's Volunteer Campaign Committee Member
In 1991 my sister Kaitlin was born with a rare form of Down Syndrome, identified as Mosaic. Children with Mosaic Down Syndrome have two distinct cell groupings. In some cells there are 46 chromosomes, which is typical. Other cells have an extra copy of chromosome #21. This meant that my little sister would have intellectual developmental differences that would be impossible to predict, and a future that was unknown.
Because so little was known about this form of Down Syndrome, a developmental therapist from Brampton Caledon Community Living (BCCL) was assigned to my sister and our family shortly after she was born.
BCCL—a United Way funded agency—supports individuals with intellectual disabilities (and their families) through all ages as they develop their capacity to live, learn, work and participate in all aspects of living in the community.
The therapist from BCCL visited our home twice a month until Kaitlin was four. While monitoring my sister's physical and mental growth, the therapist taught each member of my family how to play with Kaitlin using special toys and activities to help kick-start her development.
Kaitlin also received one-on-one attention, learning cognitive and physical ways to communicate at an early age. During this time, my family also attended support groups and used the research library at BCCL.
With all the help and support we received from BCCL, Kaitlin excelled beyond all expectations. She was able to attend a traditional school and keep up with other kids her age. She even learned to read early! BCCL also helped my family receive the knowledge and support they needed to assist with the challenges that can arise when a family member is diagnosed with an intellectual disability.
Kaitlin is now 16, and like any other 16-year-old, she loves her independence. As she matures, BCCL will continue to involve her in individualized and transitional planning, work and volunteer service opportunities, skills training, as well as the chance to participate in community activities, clubs, and social/recreational events.
Because of the United Way, and their support of BCCL, Kaitlin has a future full of possibilities.
Why I support the United Way
by James Dennison, CIBC Mellon's Volunteer Employee Campaign Chair
I've been volunteering with the United Way for almost 20 years. The reason I got involved may be different from many stories you hear. The stories about friends and family receiving assistance from the United Way supported agencies are inspiring and definitely keep me motivated to continue my support, however, that's not why I started.
The reason I began supporting the United Way is even simpler - they helped my family keep the lights on every year.
My mother worked for the Thunder Bay Literacy Group - a United Way supported agency. Our household income depended on the funding her employer received from the United Way.
Every November, I went door-to-door in the cold, canvassing for the United Way. And each time someone donated, canvassing was worth the effort. Now, it's a lot easier. We can all support the United Way from the comfort (and warmth) of our desks.
The impact the United Way makes by helping agencies offer services is profound. However, it's reach is even greater. The United Way helps individuals and families (like mine) keep their lights on.
Here are some volunteer highlights of the 2006 workplace campaign.
Campaign Volunteer of the Month
John Teti, Canada Life Assurance Company (above, left)
John Teti says the best part about being a volunteer for the United Way campaign is “building relationships with people from various parts of the company and seeing the hard work result in donations”.
For 12 years, Teti has been involved in his company’s United Way fundraising campaign. This year, he served as Deputy Chair Person in the first campaign since the integration of Canada Life and Great West Life.
He says the first thing they did to build a strong fundraising campaign was hand pick a committee that would create an impact and become a large voice.
They spread the campaign over two weeks. Fundraising events included a raffle, a balloon pop, bake sales, a Toronto Maple Leaf Day, Jean Days, a garage sale and a 50/50 draw.
“Each event was carefully planned to make sure everyone participated and the message on why we were doing it came across,” Teti says.
Canvassing champions monitored each floor to ensure posters were out, and committee members were available to answer any questions.
Their success was measured by comparing the amount of money they raised in 2005 to last year. And the end result surpassed last year’s figures.
“It’s rewarding when you know you have done everything in your power to make a difference in the lives of others,” Teti says. “The time spent helping United Way is a small commitment compared to the community’s needs.”