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United Way Oakville reaches out and hits the mark by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver 3 | Friday, February 12, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com The community's determination and passion led the way in helping United Way Oakville (UWO) achieve its 2015 fundraising goal. UWO revealed Tuesday it raised $4.31 million for its latest fundraising effort. The announcement was made during UWO's annual Community Celebration Night at the Oakville Conference Centre. The event, which drew a crowd of close to 400 people, featured a dinner and awards ceremony, as well as a musical performance by GE Water & Process Technologies staff. Numerous organizations and individuals were recognized for their contributions to UWO. "It is a fantastic feeling because when push came to shove, this community really stepped up and helped us hit our goal," said UWO CEO Brad Park. "It's about everybody rallying together to make this community the best possible community we can have." The agency, which helps fund approximately 52 programs at 31 local social service agencies, faced a $70,000 shortfall as the campaign neared completion. Park said it was a difficult challenge to overcome, but the combination of a cabinet that "worked really hard, trying to find new dollars for us" and additional community support helped UWO obtain its $4.31-million target. The United Way Oakville (UWO) 2015 Campaign Cabinet is silhouetted against a lit display of the campaign's achieved goal at the annual Celebration Night dinner and awards ceremony held at Oakville Conference Centre Tuesday. | photo by Michael Ivanin ­ special to the Beaver "We had new dollars come in from unions, we had new dollars come in from corporations and new dollars come in from individuals... all to make up that $70,000 shortfall. It was a combination of everybody working hard to get there," said Park. Rob Lister, 2015 UWO campaign chair and president and CEO of Oakville Enterprise Corporation/Oakville Hydro, said it was the first time in seven years the group used the media to appeal to the community to "help us cross the finish line to our goal." "We were so close, but we were afraid we wouldn't quite make it. Workplaces re-canvassed, their employees brought in more donations and unions dug deep and came forward with more funds. Leadership donors showed more generosity with larger gifts," he said. Lister said it came down to "people reaching out to people," as there were many face-to-face conversations to convey how important the campaign was. One of the challenges for UWO is getting the message out to Oakville residents, Lister noted. "Through the workplaces, community events, contacts the cabinet and staff have, we use every opportunity we can to get our message across over the course of a year," he said. "We always come out of the cabinet meetings very energized. The people around the table are very committed and feel so passionate about helping." Awards were given to volunteers, donors and corporate sponsors for their community giving. GE Water & Process Technologies received the Campaign of the Year Award and the Community Leadership Giving Campaign Award for raising $102,233 for UWO. GE was the first company to host the Youth Mental Health initiative in the workplace, in conjunction with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and ROCK (Reach Out Centre for Kids). The Lunch N Learn program educated staff about youth mental health issues and the hidden see Community on p.12 CREATE YOUR DREAM h t a B r o n e Kitch A STEP BEYOND IN CARE Salima Kassam Reg. Chiropodist with the purchase of $5,000 or more of cabinetry before taxes. Some restrictions apply. Please visit showroom for details. FREE INSTALLATION · Foot/Arch Pain? · Ingrown Toenails? · Diabetes? · Swollen Ankles? · Corns, Calluses? Do you have: Call for an appointment 905-632-1414 728 Burloak Drive www.footandhealthclinic.com Did You Know February is Owl Nesting Month? Buy 2 Hoot the Owl Seed Characters & Receive A Mini Cylinder Feeder Free Expires Feb 29/16 While Supplies Last! 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE | QUALITY CRAFTSMANSHIP | CUSTOM DESIGNS Call for a Free Estimate 905-844-3332 Visit our showroom: 333 Wyecroft Rd. Unit 3, Oakville Come and See Us! OPEN 7 DAYS 3350 FAIRVIEW STREET, BuRlIngTon 905-634-7700 · EmAIl: wbu1@bellnet.ca We bring people & nature together www.aromakitchens.ca