Kickoff event was hosted by Sally Creek Golf & Bistro on Sept 14
Vollmershausen Family Leadership Challenge Grant details were announced as well
By
Mark Schadenberg
It’s
an ambitious goal.
The
goal is to assist many member agencies with their important programs which
create a better community – a stronger community for all age groups and their
specific needs for programs.
The
goal for the 2017 campaign is $1.2 million.
United
Way of Oxford hosted its Kickoff event for this year at Sally Creek Golf and
Bistro on Thursday, Sept 14. It was a social event as many of the associations,
which receive funding from the United Way locally, were in attendance to
discuss their needs, their mandates within the county, and their future goals in
an informal setting.
I
was able to talk to representatives from Indwell, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the
Canadian Metal Health Association and the Navy Cadet League.
Be
sure to click on a few links below as you can read about these important local
causes – all bonded together in many ways under the umbrella of the United Way
of Oxford.
Event
host was the Sally Creek Bistro (Course clubhouse), so Villages Of Sally Creek partner
Cliff Zaluski welcomed the crowd before United Way executive director Kelly
Gilson talked and there was a greeting from 2017 campaign chair Leslie Farrell
(A local Tim Horton franchisee who has donated time and money to countless
local charities including my favourite local cause Relay For Life for the Canadian
Cancer Society).
I
copied a brochure handed out at the event which debuts the Vollmershausen
Family Leadership Challenge Grant. The kickoff for United Way was also an
introduction for this challenge to all campaign contributors as Dennis and Joan
Vollmershausen and family have pledged to match all ‘new’ donations to the
United Way of Oxford up to $1,200, and for all corporate donations which
increase by more than 10% they will match the increase. The family has committed
to donating up to $50,000 for this year’s drive.
Kelly Gilson (from left), master of ceremonies Morgan,
Leslie Farrell, Joan and Dennis Vollmershausen
The
United Way locally includes many member agencies, including the four I already
listed, plus the local Red Cross association, Community Options for Justice,
youth programming at the YMCA, Fusion youth centre in Ingersoll, Community
Living in Tillsonburg, the Oxford Student Nutrition Program, and several others.
Smartly,
the United Way has many of its own initiatives including a backpack program for
students (Supplies4Students) which they partner with Staples and the need
exists as more than 500 students applied for this service this year in Oxford.
High school students, who qualified on need and through an application process,
received $50 to purchase school necessities.
Besides
donations from individuals, including payroll deduction plans, the United Way
of Oxford raises significant dollars through corporate donations, but the
United Way is also an important organizer of local events to create their own
funding and awareness.
I
was among the members of the original organizing committee for the annual Students
Stair Climb at the Woodstock District Community Complex. All Oxford high
schools participate, but IDCI has raised the most money every year in this
enthusiastic event all about school cheering and fun and fundraising.
This
past April, the United Way hosted a dodge ball tournament.
Coordinating
volunteers for a series of good deeds is one way of describing the annual Day
Of Caring program.
Congratulations
on the terrific efforts of the United Way and good luck to staff and board
members for a successful 2017 campaign, including Kelly Gilson, Shelley
Lachapelle, Jennifer Belleth, and chair for this year Leslie Farrell.
Past
chairs for the United Way locally include Dan Henry – program director and
afternoon announcer on Heart FM, along with Megan Porter of Boston Pizza, and local
high school principal Chris Friesen.
It
is interesting to note, that you or your company could actually surprise the
United Way with a donation this year as there is a ‘toolkit’ on their website
which includes a lot of details on how you can contribute, but a staff member
from United Way can certainly attend an office meeting as well to explain where
your money goes – as the needed dollars always stay local.
UNITED
WAY OF OXFORD
447
Hunter St
Woodstock,
N4S 4G7
519
539-3851
Email:
info@unitedwayoxford.ca
LINKS:
www.unitedwayoxford.ca
http://unitedwayoxford.ca/the-vollmershausen-leadership-challenge-grant/
http://www.heartfm.ca/news/local-news/supplies-for-students-needs-your-help/
www.unitedwayoxford.ca
http://unitedwayoxford.ca/the-vollmershausen-leadership-challenge-grant/
http://www.heartfm.ca/news/local-news/supplies-for-students-needs-your-help/
Twitter:
@unitedwayoxford
I love living in Oxford County, and promoting this area.
Call me when it's your time to discuss real estate in Oxford
Mark Schadenberg, Sales
Representative
Senior Real Estate Specialist
(SRES designation)
Royal LePage Triland Realty
Independently Owned & Operated, Brokerage
757 Dundas St, Woodstock
(519) 537-1553, cell or text
Email: mschadenberg@rogers.com
Twitter: markroyallepage
Facebook: Mark Schadenberg, Royal LePage Triland
Discussion . . . Direction . . . Determination . . .
Destination
