Current Events
Daniele Zanotti, CEO; Mark Foerster, Past Board Chair; Charles Beer, 2010-2011 Board Chair
34th Annual General Meeting Marks a Milestone Year!
Sets Focus on Strength and Innovation for 2010
June 24th, 2010 – Markham, ON: Never satisfied to rest on the laurels of a record-breaking 2009, United Way of York Region (UWYR) has mapped out an aggressive strategy for the years to come – focused on investing in strength and innovation. The news was shared with a group of over 120 community and corporate leaders at the UWYR’s 34th Annual General Meeting, held earlier today at the Oakview Terrace Reception Centre.
In his final address as Chair, Mark Foerster, Vice President, Munich Reinsurance Company, applauded the over 1,000 volunteers who inspired UWYR to another record campaign achievement and continued critical investments in local programs and services.
Foerster said, “I must also thank our Board of Directors. Thanks to their effort and insight, in 2009, we set a transformational framework that will shape the work of United Way for years to come, including our new strategic directions and community priorities. I am honoured to have served as Chair.”
Daniele Zanotti, UWYR CEO, stated, “Ours is a simple and singular focus, year after year: giving a helping hand to your family member, neighbour, co-worker. And, in 2009, we changed the lives of over 290,000 people and their families right here in York Region. This is our success. This is our reason for being.”
The 2009 allocation to the community includes:
- $4,946,539 invested directly into the critical network of social service programs across York Region’s nine municipalities, 100 programs delivered by 39 member agencies
- $579,599 supporting community leadership programs: training and education for the sector’s volunteers and leaders on issues including governance and evaluation
- $1.8M distributed to other United Ways and charities, as directed by donors
Zanotti hinted at the transformational work being piloted over 2010. “In all of our research and community meetings, participants encouraged United Way to innovate solutions to our increasingly complex social problems – and to do so by leveraging the strength of residents, business and agencies. We are busy working behind the scenes for what will be a game-changing announcement during United Way Week, October 4th through 8th.”
This year’s keynote speaker was the award-winning Toronto Star columnist and author, Joe Fiorito. He discussed the importance of shifting society’s notion of how social services are provided, especially in this time of economic instability. Fiorito encouraged United Way to set its focus on ensuring basic needs were met for people in need, and bring diverse stakeholders together to test new approaches to the region’s emerging social issues.
Following Mr. Fiorito’s address, elections included: Charles Beer, Principal, Counsel Public Affairs as Chair, Helen Murray, President, Devon Communications as Vice-Chair and Heather Mason-Wood, Vice-President, Canso Investment Counsel Ltd., as Treasurer. Mark Foerster, Vice-President, Munich Reinsurance Company is Past Chair.
The following individuals were elected to the Board for their first three-year term: Dr. Charanjit Bambra, Professor and Lead Researcher in Biomedical Engineering, Centennial College; Jaheed Mamdani, Project Manager of Global Workspace Engineering, IBM Canada Ltd.; Bo Mocherniak, Partner, Grant Thornton, LLP; Kyle J. Peterson, Associate, Fasken Martineau; Dennis Wong, Business Consultant, International Investments; Tammy Ziskos Picheca, Human Resources Manager, Signode.
In addition, the following members are continuing as Directors: Cordelia Abankwa-Harris, John Cartwright, Hilda Gan, Dr. Usha George, Gerry Harrison, Debora Kelly, Benedict Leung, Rick McHale, Laura Pisko-Bezruchko, Parag Tandon and Bryan Tuckey.
Established in 1976, United Way of York Region is a registered charity uniting people and resources to improve our communities. United Way identifies community priorities and works with partners to take action, supporting a network of 100 critical programs across the region’s nine municipalities.
Alfredo De Gasperis, Co-Chair, 2010 BIL
President, Metrus Development Inc.
28th Annual Building Industry Luncheon sets yet another record for United Way of York Region
Dollars raised help build critical social service infrastructure in neighbourhoods across York Region
June 9, 2010 The building industry in York Region continues to give back, regardless of the economy. At the Annual Building Industry Luncheon (BIL), held today, a staggering $604,000 was raised in support of United Way of York Region (UWYR), a 5% increase over last year’s record. Now in its 28th year, the event has raised over $5.5M to date, with consistent annual growth.
Held at LeParc Dining and Banquet, the BIL is Co-Chaired by Alfredo De Gasperis, President, Metrus Development Inc., and Bill Fisch, Regional Chair and CEO, The Regional Municipality of York. Over 1200 industry leaders and guests gathered together to raise funds for UWYR’s 100 programs delivered by 39 member agencies across York Region’s nine municipalities.
The Honourable Brad Duguid, Ontario Minister of Energy and Infrastructure brought greetings from the Province, and commended the over 1,200 attendees for partnering with United Way to fund a critical social service infrastructure.
The money raised today will benefit the following community priorities:
- Supporting those who have mental health challenges
- Providing services for newcomers and immigrants
- Preventing domestic violence and abuse
- Addressing issues of affordable housing and homelessness
- Promoting literacy
“I have Co-Chaired this event for 28 years now, and each year, thanks to hard work and immense generosity, we have surpassed our targets. I’m very proud of our building industry community and their commitment to UWYR, year after year” said Mr. De Gasperis.
Bruce Macgregor, UWYR 2010 Campaign Chair and Chief Administrative Officer for The Regional Municipality of York, appreciates what a pivotal role the building industry plays in the community. “The building industry continues to be an economic engine in this region and a driving force for UWYR, by supporting the very neighbourhoods and communities it builds. It is very inspiring that in a single afternoon we can raise $604,000 to support important local programs.”
States Daniele Zanotti, CEO, UWYR, “I do not know of a charitable event that has lasted 28 years, that can raise over $600,000 in two hours, that can gather over 1,200 industry leaders to support our shared work. I do know that, thanks to this partnership with the building industry, United Way helps a youth stay and succeed in school, helps a recently unemployed dad find a job and keep his family housed, helps a mom cope with her son’s mental health challenges. And for this, I am so very thankful.”
United Way of York Region serves: Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Whitchurch-Stouffville.
For more information contact:
Nicole Cleve, Marketing Coordinator
United Way of York Region
905-474-9974 ext 250 or ncleve@uwyr.on.ca
