United Way campaign gets off to a great start – sets $7 million target. Ti-Cats win a great game during “kick-off” event..

By Pepper Parr

BURLINGTON, ON  September 17, 2012  If what football fans saw on Saturday at the Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton is an example of what we might see during the 2012 United Way campaign – this is going to be one heck of an event.

During the game – which Hamilton won against the Edmonton Eskimos 51-8, the United Way campaign did their kick off and announced a target of $7 million of which $2 million is the Burlington portion.

City of Burlington Clerk’s department did a great job last year during the United Way campaign drive. Interesting to see what they do this year. Burlington campaign has a $2 million target

More than 20,000 fans took part in the kick off the 2012 United Way Campaign which got off to a roaring start as ArcelorMittal Dofasco President & CEO, Juergen Schachler and company Employee Donations Fund chair Larry Meyer announced a combined donation of $500,000. They presented a cheque on the field at halftime to Burlington Campaign Chair, Hon. Paddy Torsney and Hamilton Campaign Chair, Dr. Nick Bontis.

ArcelorMittal Dofasco extended an additional challenge to the community to step up for the United Way. The company and employees announced they would match an additional $50,000 for money raised through new workplace campaigns, new leadership donations of $1,000 or more, leadership donations that increase by a minimum of 10%, or donations that increase to the $1,000 level (the increased amount). The program is designed to inspire the people of Hamilton and Burlington to help build community strength by donating to the United Way.

With more than $1,134,732 already raised via corporate and individual contributions, the community has already begun to show their support for United Way. Of that total, the United Way family, (Board of Directors, Campaign Cabinets and staff) contributed $88,359.

Nick Bontis is chair of the United Way Campaign for Burlington and Greater Hamilton. He teaches at McMaster where his mile a minute delivery dazzles his students. Bontis dazzled an Economic Development luncheon earlier this year.

Nick Bontis of McMaster University fame found himself having to hand off quite a bit of the kickoff event to Paddy Torsney who is heading up the Burlington part of the campaign.  Bontis did some serious damage to one leg during a soccer game.  Don’t think that’s what they intended by “kick off”.

Torsney, who had never kicked a football in her life, got some tutoring and did a more than credible job at “getting some air” under the ball.  For the United Way campaign team they too feel there is some air underneath their efforts.

“We have a lot of younger people involved in the campaign this year”, said Torsney and ” we are going to put part of our focus on those smaller corporations in Burlington that don’t have an employee program”.

The Burlington team has two families involved in the campaign who both have twins – “they obviously now know how to manage their time – they will do great work for us” said Torsney.

Brian Ferguson of VM Ware is onboard as is Gayle Cruikshank of Food for Thought.  Kim Phillips, a city of Burlington General Manager is handling the campaign at city hall as well as the government sector.

Torsney, the one time Member of Parliament for Burlington wants to grow the $2 million target for Burlington by seeking additional leadership donours and getting into companies that currently don’t have a program that allows their staff to donate through a payroll program.

Deb Pickfield of ThinkSpot is heading up a unique “mystery night” event that will appeal to this community.

“Community investment is a longstanding tradition for our company and our employees,” says Juergen Schachler. “We know that continuing to build the strength of Hamilton and Burlington is an important part of being a business leader. For 100 years, the company and its employees have been a key pillar in the community. With our additional challenge, we are inviting others to step up to help the United Way as they continue to create change in our communities”.

Paddy Torsney heads up the Burlington side of the United Way campaign for 2012. Expect a call from her – soon.

Over 222,000 residents rely on United Way programs and services.  In the weeks ahead we will tell you more about the people and the services that are delivered because the donations are made.

United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton works to effect long-term changes that make a measurable difference in the community. When you donate to the United Way you are having a direct impact and are changing the lives of those in need in our community.


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