2005 Spirit Award Winners

The Douglas E. Lear Memorial Award is presented annually to the York Region volunteer who best exemplifies service to the community in the Human Services field. The award is sponsored by UWYR in association with the Allstate Foundation.

The winner of the 2005 Douglas E. Lear Memorial Award is Cheryl Ebidia, in recognition of her outstanding volunteer commitment to Westminster Public School over the past nine years. The people who nominated Cheryl for this award describe her as "a living example of how volunteering can make a difference in the lives of people in the community.

Student Campaign Spirit Awards

recognize the dedication and community spirit of our future leaders.

Elementary Unionville Public School was a sea of red and white in November as these children encouraged the student body to dress in United Way colours. They took part in the Enbridge CN Tower Stair Climb, organized several events at their own school – and even hosted agency speakers to help other students understand United Way a little better.

Secondary Holy Trinity’s 2005 campaign was one of their liveliest. It included a number of zany special events. One of the most creative involved a group of grade 12 boys selling the right to wax their legs. A group of grade 9 girls were willing to oblige – all for a good cause of course!

Day of Caring®

matches corporate volunteers with human care agencies that need help with simple building and grounds projects. These Spirit Awards recognize outstanding corporate and volunteer support.

Day of Caring® Volunteer Spirit Award Allstate Canada Group of Companies volunteers have been a backbone of the spring and fall Day of Caring for several years. They also participate in informal Day of Caring projects throughout the year. This year, 30 Allstate employees took part in 6 different projects throughout the Region.

Day of Caring® Corporate Spirit Award The 2005 Day of Caring Corporate Spirit Award is awarded to Acklands-Grainger Inc. for its very generous donation of painting supplies that make so many of the Day of Caring projects possible.

Agency Employee Campaign Spirit Awards

are presented to United Way funded agencies that excel in support of the campaign by promoting employee participation in their own UWYR campaign, as well as providing outstanding support of the Speakers' Bureau and campaign kick-off events.

1-24 employees The Canadian Red Cross Society (Region of York Branch) was very active in the Speakers' Bureau. The agency’s internal employee campaign showed an incredible 199% increase in donations.

25+ employees CHATS, Community Home Assistance to Seniors' Executive Director Deborah Egan showed strong leadership on Campaign Cabinet. The agency’s internal campaign went up 17% in 2005. CHATS was also a spirited participant in the ATI Technologies Inc. Dragon Boat Festival.

First-Time Campaign Spirit Awards

recognize campaigns that achieved the highest participation rate as compared to other first year campaigns.

1-99 employees Allied International executed a textbook campaign, including agency speakers and participation in Day of Caring. The successful strategy resulted in 85% participation.	300+ employees 407 ETR Concession Company Ltd. posted an 88% participation rate. They implemented a great canvassing strategy, and hosted spirited special events such as candy grams and "Mummify a Manager".
100-299 employees Under the leadership of CEO Frank Heard, ITW Construction Products recorded an incredible 71% participation. ITW also ran a textbook campaign, including hosting agency speakers.

Municipal Challenge:

Municipalities throughout York Region engage in a friendly challenge each year. The winner of the Municipal Challenge is determined by the highest percentage of employee participation.

1-299 employees Town of East Gwillimbury won the bragging rights last year, and continued to build momentum this year, with 27% participation.

300+ employees Town of Richmond Hill posted 46% participation this year by increasing UWYR awareness. The promise of a 'head shaving' if they reached goal was an unorthodox but successful incentive!

Leadership Giving Spirit Award:

Leadership Giving, annual donations of $1,000 or more, is one of the fastest and most important areas of the campaign. Leadership Giving Spirit Awards are presented to the organizations that raised the most donations through a Leadership Campaign.

1-99 employees InSystems Technologies Inc., a loyal long time United Way supporter, had a strong Leadership Campaign. 4 leaders raised $5,700 in 2005.	300+ employees Motorola Canada Limited has an incredible Leadership Campaign that raised just over $99,000. Motorola increased from 42 to 67 leaders in 2005.
100-299 employees Victaulic Company of Canada Limited has 9 leaders raising $21,600. They organized a full day of United Way presentations with agency speakers.

Corporate Spirit Awards

honour organizations that excel in overall support of UWYR by providing sponsorship or gifts in kind, promoting Leadership giving and progressively increasing corporate giving.

100-299 employees Lexmark Canada Inc. is a long time United Way campaign supporter. Their generosity includes a donation of printers for the UWYR office, which is a tremendous asset.

300+ employees Allstate Canada Group of Companies is an outstanding partner in so many ways, through an impressive employee campaign, a generous corporate contribution, participation in Day of Caring, and support for the Douglas E. Lear Award. President and CEO Michael Donoghue is a long time member of United Way of York Region Campaign Cabinet.

Employee Campaign Spirit Awards

recognize top campaigns that show progressive growth in participation and high per capita giving by organizing and running successful textbook campaigns that are both fun and educational.

1-99 employees The Navicom Inc. employee campaign has long been one of our strongest. Their participation increased from 74% to 100% this campaign, with an average gift of $454.00.	300+ employees Johnson & Johnson Medical Products held a United Way Success Session and developed a textbook campaign strategy. As a result of their hard work, the participation rate increased to 75% - with per capita giving of $263.
100-299 employees Wyeth Pharmaceuticals posted dramatic results in 2005. They increased from 54% participation to 66%. Wyeth also provided sales training to United Way staff.

Quantum Leap Spirit Awards

are presented to organizations with the largest increase in campaign donations over the previous year.

1-99 employees With fewer than 99 employees, Innopharm posted a $7,700 increase. They hosted an agency speaker for the first time.	300+ employees Under the exceptional leadership of Campaign Cabinet Chair David Barnes, Amex Canada Inc. executed a textbook campaign, including a United Way Success Session, agency speakers and strong canvassing. Amex blasted through their 2004 campaign total by an amazing $91,000.
100-299 employees Wyeth Pharmaceuticals increased their campaign by $40,000. Employees had a lot of fun with special events such as a pie throwing contest and Michael Jackson "Thriller" Line dance.