For Immediate Release

UNITED WAY HONOURS CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEERS

(Ajax, Ontario)— United Way of Ajax-Pickering-Uxbridge raised $1.8 million dollars for the community.

“We have had a successful year,” said Edna Klazek, chief executive officer, United Way Ajax-Pickering-Uxbridge. “We are excited about our 2006 Campaign achievement, and we are thankful to all our supporters for their efforts in helping us reach our goal. It is great to see local corporations and the community come together to inspire others to make a difference.”

The 2006 Campaign achievement of $1,800,000, was announced at United Way’s Campaign Celebration on Thursday, February 8th. More than 200 United Way volunteers and supporters attended the celebration at Deer Creek Golf & Banquet Facility.

"Throughout my term as campaign chair, I have been impressed and inspired by the passion and commitment demonstrated by the many, many volunteers and staff at our United Way and its local agencies," says Don Terry, chair 2006 campaign. "I offer a heartfelt thanks on behalf of the communities of Ajax, Pickering, and Uxbridge and myself for making our community a better place."

Official greetings and thank you to the many, many volunteers were brought by all levels of Government. The consistent message was that we live in a great community, but sometimes our neighbours do need help and we are thankful United Way is there for them.  With the help of the community and our local corporations, we can ensure these much-needed services will continue to be supported by United Way. ‘We are fortunate to have so many dedicated people involved in the fundraising effort, from the Board and Campaign Cabinet, right on through to the canvassers and donors.  Working together, they ensure the availability of a wide range of supports and services that are import to our residents’ stated Virginia MacLeod, executive assistant on behalf of Roger Anderson. 

The celebration was filled with anticipation as guests looked forward to the evening’s focus of recognizing those significant people who aided in helping United Way reach their campaign achievement. The Outstanding Employee Campaign of the year award for highest participation was presented to Mother Teresa Catholic School. ING Insurance Company of Canada received this award for the highest percentage increase of employee participation. New Outstanding Employee Campaign Coordinator- Corporate was presented to Lynn Andress, MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems. John Howard, William Dunbar Public School, received this award in the Education/Public Sector category. Outstanding Employee Campaign Coordinators were Joanne Davis, ING

Insurance Company of Canada and Anne Sheppard, Mother Teresa Catholic School, Corporate and Public Sector, respectively.

J. Clarke Richardson Collegiate won the award for Outstanding Campaign in the Public Sector/Education category.  Areva NP Canada Ltd. and MeadWestvaco Packaging Systems LP were both recognized for their contributions for running their first employee campaign.  The Union Award went to Durham Occasional Teachers Local while C.A.W. 1090 received the Labour Award. 

A number of Spirit Awards were also presented throughout the evening which included an award for United Way’s ‘Youngest Donor’.  Maddison Bateman, age 9, was the recipient of this award. 

United Way’s Corporate and Employee Award of Excellence is the top honour. It is awarded to a company that distinguishes itself through effective communication to all employees, providing each employee the opportunity to give. The recipient must have a campaign that motivates, increases employee participation, as well as raises increased dollars. The 2006 winner is Volkswagen Canada Inc. and its employees.

United Way’s Corporate Citizenship Award recognizes corporations that go the extra mile to support the community and United Way. The 2006 Corporate Citizenship Award was presented to Ontario Power Generation, Pickering Nuclear for their ongoing support of United Way including seconding one of their employees to United Way for this year’s campaign.  Purdue Pharma, a long-time supporter of United Way, also received a Corporate Citizenship Award for their lifetime achievement total of $500,000. 

The sponsors for United Way’s 2006 Campaign Celebration were:  Runnymede Development Corporation Limited, Metroland Durham Region Media Group, Deer Creek Golf & Banquet Facility, Hubbell Canada LP, Warren’s Printing Place Inc., Ontario Power Generation, Pickering Town Centre and Veridian Corporation. 

UW-APU provides funding to 29 agencies and a number of programs that offer assistance to those in the communities of Ajax, Pickering and Uxbridge. Fore more information please visit our website: www.ajaxpickering.unitedway.ca

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For further information, please contact:

Gwen Noble, Resource Development Manger