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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 9, 2008

United Way and City of Toronto come together
to launch 2008 campaign

TORONTO—United Way Toronto President Frances Lankin joined Toronto Mayor David Miller at Nathan Phillips Square today for a special joint launch of United Way’s 2008 campaign and the City of Toronto’s annual workplace campaign.

Standing before a colourful sea of people in United Way ballcaps and City employee campaign t-shirts, Lankin announced a citywide fundraising goal of $110-million — and recognized City of Toronto employees for their dedication to helping United Way meet that goal.

"It takes a whole community pulling together to build a better future," Lankin told the crowd. "Today’s campaign launch is a celebration of people from across Toronto coming together in common purpose to build a better city for everyone."

"This is a time of hardship for many of our friends and neighbours," said Lankin. "The pressure on our community is great. This year, we’re calling on everyone, in every corner of our city to pull together — to dig a little deeper — to join us in building a better future."

Lankin noted that United Way and the City share a common commitment to taking action on some of Toronto’s most serious challenges. The City and United Way came together through the Strong Neighbourhoods Task Force to identify thirteen priority neighbourhoods in need of help, and work closely together in developing common strategies for solving our city’s shared problems.

Every fall, employees of the City of Toronto run a spirited workplace campaign — and have long been a major partner in supporting United Way’s annual campaign. Since 2001, they have raised more than $1-million each year for United Way’s campaign to build a more vibrant, safe and inclusive city. Last year, United Way’s annual campaign raised $108.1-million.

"Our partnerships help United Way to make a difference every single day," Lankin said. "I want to thank employees of the City for the time and dedication they show every year in helping us reach our campaign goal."

Established in 1956, United Way Toronto is a charity working to advance the common good and create opportunities for a better life for everyone in our city. Working in partnership with others, we mobilize people and resources to address the root causes of social problems and to change community conditions for the better. United Way supports agencies that provide services to strengthen individuals, families, and communities.

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