City employees give back to community with record breaking United Way campaign

City of Ottawa employees have demonstrated their community spirit by contributing $609,090 to the United Way/Centraide, making it the largest United Way community campaign in Ottawa for 2009.

“City employees continue to raise the bar when it comes to community building, having contributed over $2.8 million in the last five years for programs, services, and initiatives that improve the lives of Ottawa residents in need,” said Mayor Larry O’Brien. “I am very proud of our employees for giving so generously to this wonderful cause.”

The record breaking 2009 campaign surpassed the $600,000 mark for the first time in its history and exceeded the corporate goal of $580,000 by over $29,000. The final total was unveiled today at City Council by Honorary Co-Chairs Councillor Diane Deans and Councillor Eli El-Chantiry and Campaign Co-Chairs Susan Jones, General Manager, Emergency and Protective Services and Arlene Grégoire, Director, Building Code Services/Chief Building Official.

“Our employees’ desire to create lasting change in the community is truly impressive,” said City Manager Kent Kirkpatrick. “So many talented employees had a helping hand in our campaign’s success, and the hands that benefit from all their efforts and enthusiasm are the people in the community who need it the most.”

“Our sincere thanks go to every single donor from the City of Ottawa,” said Michael Allen, President and CEO of United Way/Centraide Ottawa. “The theme of this year’s campaign was rediscover community and we asked residents to tell us what they wanted their community to be. City employees, through their donations and volunteer efforts, clearly want to see an improved quality of life and a stronger and healthier community for all.”