2010 Spirit Awards

Leadership Campaign Award, Private Sector—$25,000 to $499,999

HKMB Hub International

HKMB Hub International raised over $58,000 in Leadership dollars—a 31% increase over last year, accounting for 77% of their overall campaign goal! Senior management recognized the importance of the Leadership campaign, speaking about it at a management retreat, during opening ceremonies, on the website, and wherever else they could. This resulted in an amazing Leadership campaign that included 11 new Leaders! Kudos to this organization's Leadership Chair and canvassing team that went all out to ensure that HKMB Hub International saw their greatest Leadership growth ever!

Photo: (From left to right) Chris Clark (presenter), Denise Rutty, Steve Rocchi, and Steve Lurie (presenter).

Leadership Campaign Award, Private Sector—$500,000 to $999,999

Bell Canada

Bell Canada showed its employees that becoming a Leader could be as easy as a click of a button. By using innovative online strategies—such as placing a Leadership icon on their website, creating a customized portal to make online giving easier, and broadening user access—Bell Canada enabled an increase of 52% in their Leadership results alone. The organization also promoted the Clark–Schulich Partnership in Philanthropy challenge and their own dollar-for-dollar match program to generate more Leadership dollars. Working closely with United Way Toronto to help increase awareness about the Community Fund, the campaign ultimately achieved a total of 122 Leaders who brought in 59% of the overall total dollars raised.

Photo: (From left to right) Chris Clark (presenter), Mary Deacon and Steve Lurie (presenter).

Leadership Campaign Award, Private Sector—Over $1-million

TD Bank Group

TD Bank Group had a targeted campaign for Leaders in 2010 raising more than $5.6-million through aggregate Leadership contributions from over 1,200 Leaders—a 38% increase in Leadership giving over last year. There was a Leadership Chair for each one of the bank's business lines. More than 100 senior ambassadors were recruited, and they worked tirelessly to train additional ambassadors to effectively spread the campaign message. The ambassador training sessions included visits to United Way agencies to educate TD Bank Group volunteers about the impact of agencies and to "Make it Real." They customized their approach for every level of Leadership giving, and had specific volunteers focused on canvassing donors for major gifts at $10,000 and above. In addition, there were several leadership events across business lines that included agency and United Way speakers to offer education. Five senior executives personally contributed a combined total of $500,000 to match employee donations at every giving level. Plus, President and CEO Ed Clark partnered with Seymour Schulich to match Leadership dollars across the city through this year's Clark-Schulich Partnership in Philanthropy Leadership challenge. TD Bank Group excelled in the 2010 Leadership Campaign because their leaders demonstrated philanthropic leadership for the United Way campaign.

Photo: (From left to right) Alan MacGibbon (presenter), Marcie Ponte (presenter) and Paul Clark.

Leadership Campaign Award, Public Sector

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing

Earlier this year, all 75 management members of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing were invited to a breakfast with the Ministry's Deputy to learn more about United Way Toronto and the impact Leadership Giving has—a first-time event. With a strong determination to top last year's results, this leadership team hand-delivered all Leadership packages, with information about the Clark-Schulich Partnership in Philanthropy Leadership challenge. Their determination paid off—they welcomed 13 new Leadership donors and the organization raised over $32,000 in Leadership pledges—an amazing 85% increase over last year.

Photo: (From left to right) Bill Forward, Pam Skinner, Susan Wang, Marcie Ponte (presenter), and Alan MacGibbon (presenter).

Employee Campaign Award, $25,0000 to $499,999

Borealis Infrastructure

At Borealis Infrastructure, United Way Toronto is a true part of the corporate culture. All employees are encouraged to be Leaders, the committee is enthusiastic and committed to success, and the Employee Campaign Chair and CEO thanks donors personally for their support. This year, Borealis Infrastructure's campaign raised over $132,000 and the highlight was by the company broomball tournament, sweeping other investment companies into friendly sport, all in support of United Way Toronto. And they sure cleaned up in terms of participation—this campaign achieved 100% participation for the second year in a row!

Photo: (From left to right) Stephen Bear (presenter), Maureen Stinson, Kenn Richard (presenter), and Robert Deutschmann.

Employee Campaign Award, $500,000 to $999,999

Procter and Gamble Inc.

Procter and Gamble Inc. implemented new engagement strategies such as friendly competitions and special incentives, including recognition for donors that increased their donation rate by 10%, 25% or 30% respectively. Procter and Gamble Inc. employees also creatively leveraged social media vehicles such as Facebook and Twitter to help raise funds for United Way Toronto, inviting their networks to support them financially in their commitment of up to 200 volunteer hours! Add to that the proceeds from their extremely popular warehouse sale to benefit United Way Toronto and you get an incredible achievement yet again this year with a campaign total of over $900,000, and over 90% employee participation.

Photo: (From left to right) Stephen Bear (presenter), Alaina Lagrou, Winnie Tang, and Kenn Richard (presenter).

Employee Campaign Award, Over $1-million

TD Bank Group

Technology and engagement strategies were drivers for the success of this campaign. TD Bank Group introduced a new intranet page for employees for the TD United Way Employee Giving Campaign, with a video message from the President and CEO Ed Clark, that received over 66,000 visits. Twice weekly, employees told personal United Way stories on the corporate landing page, allowing their peers to participate by reading and commenting. The marketing efforts launched in July, which heightened the impact of the messaging. To make a clear and very real connection to United Way Toronto's work in our community, more than 500 of this organization's employees attended agency tours, and over 500 people participated in 64 Days of Caring volunteer projects. A roster of United Way Toronto speakers spoke at more than 70 TD Bank events and meetings. The integrated approach to this campaign with complementary marketing tactics resulted in a huge demonstration of generous giving and a significant lift in participation rates. TD employees launched the campaign with huge momentum giving $1.8-million online via United Way Toronto @work in the first day of their campaign, driving the largest single day of giving for United Way Toronto, and ultimately achieving over $7-million this year!

Photo: (From left to right) Stephen Bear (presenter), Helen Reagh and Kenn Richard (presenter).

Employee Campaign Chair Award, $25,000 to $999,999

Kathy LeBarr of Toronto Police Services

Kathy LeBarr is dedicated, hardworking and passionate about United Way Toronto, with an unquestionable commitment to the Community Fund. This year, the organization's campaign theme was "The Power of One," and she truly exemplified its meaning. Kathy brought together her campaign team in support of our community. Her outstanding leadership over the past seven years, with an emphasis on education and awareness, as well as ensuring that people have fun along the way, has resulted in strong and steady campaign growth. Taking an integrated approach to all campaign activities, Kathy was an unquestionable factor of the campaign's success. Her leadership and dedication helped the organization raise over $650,000 this year.

Photo: (From left to right) Kathy LeBarr and Cathy Denyer (presenter).

Employee Campaign Chair Award, Over $1-million

Steve Gaskin and Tuula Jalasjaa of Scotiabank Group

These co-chair recipients motivate others through their inspirational messages, and drive success through smart analysis and strategies. During their term as Employee Campaign Chairs, Steve and Tuula created an Operations Chair role that allowed the committee to perform in-depth campaign analysis and identify new opportunities. This year, they each made personal calls to all senior vice presidents for personal donations. They also initiated a pensioners plan, targeting 2,500 pensioners to be part of the campaign. They also lent hands-on support to each business line. Steve and Tuula helped distribute 200 copies of the United Way Toronto campaign video, which were played at town hall meetings, business meetings and events across the city. Steve and Tuula led the campaign to an incredible achievement of over $5-million dollars!

Photo: (From left to right) Tuula Jalasjaa and Cathy Denyer (presenter).

Xerox Canada Limited–Head Office Group

Xerox Canada Limited–Head Office Group recruited and trained a large group of canvassers. The core team visited the Good Neighbour's Club and helped serve lunch to agency recipients, where they got a firsthand sense of the importance that their canvassing efforts have. Throughout the campaign, employees were treated to these canvassers in blue wigs promoting a fun spirit. The team kept the momentum going through a Halloween event, agency speaker visit, a focus on customized messages, and one-on-one canvassing. They helped raise over $82,000 in pledges and achieved an astounding participation rate of 76%!

Photo: (From left to right) Charles Brindamour (presenter), Cynthia DuMont (presenter), Felicia Blackburn, Eli Boushy, Sacha Fraser, and Damien Johnston.

Celestica

Celestica defines the term "walk the talk." The organization offered a dollar-for-dollar match on employee gifts—a corporate donation of over $433,000 to United Way Toronto's Community Fund! The company's campaign theme this year was "Make it Real." The Leadership team hosted and participated in Days of Caring and Agency Tours. President and CEO Craig Mulhauser acted as Chair of the Technology Sector on United Way Toronto's Campaign Cabinet. Over 75 people participated and volunteered in activities ranging from speed mentoring, gardening and clean-up, and giving employees a hands-on experience at some of our member agencies, including St.Stephen's Community House, Agincourt Community Services Association and Second Base Youth Shelter.

Photo: (From left to right) Paul Barnett (presenter), Kay Blair (presenter), Darlene Gablenz, Sandra Ketchen, and John Peri.

Central Neighbourhood House

This year, Central Neighbourhood House had their most successful achievement ever—redirecting their energy to focus on encouraging employee pledges, their overall results increased by 34%. With outstanding leadership, engagement across the organization, peer-to-peer canvassing, a team at the Enbridge CN Tower Climb for United Way, and a race to ensure campaign success—literally—all of their efforts paid off. Employees at Central Neighbourhood House raised over $14,000 and, even more impressively, they accomplished an exemplary participation rate of 98%!

Photo: (From left to right) Angela Connors, Elisabeth Forestell, Enrique Robert (presenter), and Bob Cronin (presenter).

Government of Canada, The Public Service Alliance of Canada and The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada

Government of Canada, The Public Service Alliance of Canada and The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada used a strong union/management model and encouraged everyone to be creative and help with the campaign. They recruited labour co-chairs in many departments, and upward of 1,000 canvassers to help raise a campaign total of over $1.6-million! This campaign creatively used labour materials such as calendar cards and endorsement letters, and leadership support from both management and labour was visible throughout the workplace.

Photo: (From left to right) Dr. Kazi Hoque (presenter), Agatha McPhee (presenter), Ken Boone, and Joan Woodrow.

Toronto Star with supporting unions GCC/IBT Graphic Communications Conference/International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 100-M; Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, Local 87-M; Southern Ontario Newsmedia Guild; Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union of Canada, Local 500G (covering photo-engravers); International Association of Machinists & Aerospace Workers, Local 235

The Toronto Star and its supporting unions displayed management and labour volunteers working in strong collaboration to achieve campaign results. Despite the challenging economy, and with a smaller employee base, canvassers focused on pledges more than ever this year. This is a workplace that really showed its commitment 24-7, inviting speakers to one location for their kick-off BBQ through day- and night-shift changes. With amazing early-bird draws, tried-and-true best practices and a concentration on their campaign strengths, this organization raised over $235,000 via employee pledges and special events!

Photo: (From left to right) Agatha McPhee (presenter), Dr. Kazi Hoque (presenter), Barb Mrozek, and Al Sheldon.

Student Campaign Award, Public Secondary School

Forest Hill Collegiate Institute

Keeping up a unique tradition, students at Forest Hill Collegiate Institute ran an all-night relay from Barrie back to their school in Toronto—showing just how far they will go for United Way Toronto. Lead by their Student Council, the campaign encouraged classes to get involved and held a screamingly successful Halloween Dance. From United Way Toronto speakers, foyer fundraisers and pep rallies to cheering on relay runners, this school was able to cross the finish line with a campaign total of close to $8,900—an increase of 145% over last year!

Photo: (From left to right) Ashley Curran (presenter), Isabel Moore, Pauline Berkovitz, and Melanie Archambault (presenter).

Student Campaign Award, Private Secondary School

Tanenbaum Chat Wallenburg Campus

At Tanenbaum Chat Wallenburg Campus, this year's campaign was all about commitment and demonstrating impact. And for one of their many fundraising events, the school hosted a sleepover to raise the awareness of the challenges people face when they are homeless. The campaign was made visible around the school with posters and display boards listing weekly events and how United Way Toronto helps the community. These inventive strategies, partnered with raffles, Dress Up Days, and an auction, helped students to surpass their goal and raise over $7,000!

Photo: (From left to right) Ashley Curran (presenter), Jenna Tabatznik, Brooke Kumer, Hannah Simpson, Melanie Citron, and Melanie Archambault (presenter).