United Way employee campaign represents successful partnerships

City employees were applauded by City Council today after raising $460,645 for the United Way/Centraide of Ottawa through the 2014 Employee Campaign. The money was raised through pledge form donations, as well as a number of employee-led initiatives and special events.

“The work accomplished every day by City employees and the achievements of the United Way/ Centraide Ottawa continue to go hand-in-hand to improve the lives of thousands of Ottawa residents,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “Every day we see City employees work together to run a great city and every year we see them work together to help a great cause.”

Dan Chenier, General Manager of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services, and Lisa Allaire, Chief of Corporate Communications were commended for their leadership and dedication in their roles as campaign co-chairs.

“The generosity of our employees is a true reflection of the value we place on community service,” said City Manager Kent Kirkpatrick. “Our partnership with United Way helps support services to our residents in need.”

Some facts about this year’s City employee campaign:

 * 
In the last four years, the employee campaign has raised just over $2 million for United Way/Centraide, with 90 per cent of employee donations going directly to United Way/Centraide Ottawa’s focus areas; Growing up Great, Belonging to Community and Turning Lives Around.

 * 
The City of Ottawa invests in 72 of the 108 frontline programs and services where there is a United Way investment.

 * 
120 businesses contributed more than $45,000 in cash and in-kind services to support the employee campaign.

 * 
60 employees, representing all departments, participated on the Campaign’s Steering Committee and another 190 employees volunteered their time to host special events and other fundraising activities.

“Thanks to the generosity of City of Ottawa employees, one of the United Way’s closest supporters, more than 1,646 lives will be changed in Ottawa,” said Mark Sutcliffe, United Way Ottawa campaign co-chair. “These donations are a lifeline for some of Ottawa’s most needy – providing them with a place to turn to for help when they need it the most.”