Markham, ON
Today, close to 200 volunteers from 20 corporations lent a helping hand to United Way of York Region (UWYR) member agencies. Day of Caring® is an opportunity for companies, organizations or groups to work with a UWYR agency to complete a hands-on project like painting, gardening or building renovations.
“Our volunteers are our greatest resource,” says Rickesh Lakhani, Director, Campaign, UWYR, “and their contributions on our Day of Caring® provide much needed support to our member agencies. We’re happy to report that the number of companies participating has almost doubled compared to last year. United Way is proud to bring people together from all walks of life to build a better and stronger region.”
Tom Gardner, Vice-President of Relationship Management and Enterprise Sales at Ceridian Canada, agrees. “Ceridian is proud to support an event that allows us to share our resources in such a meaningful way. Day of Caring® is about team-building, project planning and community awareness. Our staff is happy to come out and work side by side with staff and clients of United Way of York Region member agencies.”
Some examples of Day of Caring® projects include:
- Ceridian employees painting rooms at the Blue Door Shelters – York Region Youth Shelter, home to over 285 youth experiencing homelessness in our region
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (835 Gorham Street, Newmarket) - Johnson & Johnson Medical Products employees gardening at one of Community Living Newmarket Aurora District’s many group homes
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (1546 Mt. Albert Sideroad, Sharon) - Vertex Customer Management employees travelling to Community Living York South to provide invaluable job training to individuals with special needs
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (101 Edward Avenue, Richmond Hill) - Town of Richmond Hill employees taking part in yard clean-up and kitchen repairs at Pathways for Children, Youth & Families of York Region, a place where youth and families in crisis can find shelter and resources
9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (10944 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill)
Irena Kropman has experienced the positive impact of Day of Caring® first-hand. The Lifeworks Bilingual Triage Consultant at Ceridian has attended the event in the past and is happy to return. “Coming out to work and seeing concrete results is truly rewarding. Whether we’re painting or working in the garden at one of the UWYR member agencies, we know that our efforts directly help people in need – maybe a family member, a neighbour or a co-worker. The impact is immediate, but the experience lasts a lifetime.”
UWYR extends its thanks and appreciation to all of the York Region corporations taking part this year. They include:
- Acklands-Grainger Inc.
- Aecom
- Allstate Insurance Company of Canada
- AT&T Global Services
- Canadian Tire – Express Auto Parts
- Ceridian Canada
- CitiFinancial Canada
- City of Vaughan
- Davis + Henderson
- FM Global
- ITW Construction
- Johnson & Johnson Medical Products
- Signode Canada
- Smucker Foods of Canada Co.
- Southwire Canada
- State Farm Insurance
- Toromont CAT/Toromont Industries
- Town of Richmond Hill
- Vertex Customer Management
- Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, a Pfizer Company
A special thank you to Acklands-Grainger Inc. for generously donating the paint and painting supplies needed for a number of projects today.
United Way of York Region supports 100 programs delivered by 39 member agencies in the Region focusing on five priority areas:
- 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; and
- Promoting literacy.
For more information contact:
Nicole Cleve | Marketing Coordinator | 905-474-9974 ext. 250 | ncleve@uwyr.on.ca
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