Thompson Nicola Cariboo United Way

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RBC employees came out yesterday to help finish off a few garden sheds started by their crew 2 weeks ago.  This second United Way Day of Caring for Habitat for Humanity further demonstrates the strong commitment the bank has to community projects. The sun was a welcome treat for the volunteers installing the siding as was the free donuts donated by the North Shore Tim Hortons.  Thanks RBC for another successful and productive Day of Caring!

Happy Thanksgiving to our American friends. See link to our best wishes for you!!

http://studio.unitedway.org/thanks09/

Wednesday November 25th all A&Ws in Kamloops were serving complimentary coffee in support of Thompson Nicola Cariboo United Way. Thanks Ron & Rick. Each A&W was supported with a United Way staff or volunteer and two Kamloops Blazer players. The Fortune A&W was on-air live with JT from The River. He interviewed our community partners throughout the morning. This was our first A&W event in Kamloops and we hope to make it an annual event.

Three agencies in 100 Mile House received cheques from Thompson Nicola Cariboo United Way on Monday November 23rd. These dollars were the result of the work of the Community Impact Council in !00 Mile House allocating the proceeds from the 2008 annual campaign. Proof that dollars raised in communities stay in communities. Receiving cheques were:

1. Cariboo Family Enrichment Center Society

2. 100 Mile & District Women’s Centre Society

3. Canadian Mental Health Association

On Monday November 23rd, A&W Williams Lake graciously hosted the United Way Awareness Breakfast.

Thanks to Fred and Rachel and their manager Brenda for the great hospitality. To top the morning off, all of the recipients of the allocation process were there to pickup their cheques. These dollars were allocated to them by the Williams Lake Community Impact Council from the dollars raised in 2008.Presenting the cheques was United Way Board Director for the Cariboo Joanne Stacey, RBC Royal Bank.

Purpose of Community Impact Councils

1. To determine the priority areas that will focus on building your community’s capacity to address social issues (through research and information gathering).

2. To be a champion of United Way in your community.

3. To allocate the resources raised during the campaign to local charitable organizations in your community.

Receiving monies were

1. Williams Lake Food Policy Council
2. Cariboo Park Home Society - Glen Arbour
3. Salvation Army
4. Social Planning Council of Williams Lake and Area
5. Women’s Contact Society
6. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Williams Lake
7. Boys and Girls Club of Williams Lake
8. Cariboo Chilcotin child Development Center

On Monday, November 23^rd, Northern Trailer delivered the first of 4 containers full of single beds - 200 in total - they are donating to the community through United Way. These beds, from their mining camps, will be put to good use by ASK Wellness, CMHA , Weiser House and many other United Way Community Partners. Jim and Jamie Rose @ Four Corners Storage have generously offered storage while the distribution of the beds is coordinated.

Recipients of the beds will include those staying at Henry Leland and Crossroads housing, CMHA’s Emerald House clients who are moving into their own housing, and various other individuals who are acquiring housing while struggling with mental health and addictions challenges.

United Way’s mission is to improve lives and build community by engaging individuals and mobilizing collective action. One way that we can do this is by being the connection between those with resources (information, time, expertise, dollars and tangible goods) and those that are in need. We are proud to play this role and support our Community Partners and other non-profits organizations working tirelessly for a better community.

A safe supportive community is everyone’s responsibility.

Thompson Nicola Cariboo United way would like to welcome Canadian Western Bank to Kamloops and their very first United Way campaign. We had a great kick-off breakfast with guest Heidi Starr from ASK Wellness Centre and Helena James from Kamloops RCMP. We really look forward to deepening our relationship with Canadian Western Bank through volunteerism and Days of  Caring.

20 Domtar Pulp and Paper Inc. employees came out for another United Way Day of Caring last Friday, November 20th.  The crew unloaded and sorted over 1000 lbs of donated food, made hundreds of hampers for families and individuals, as well as helping clean and organize the whole warehouse. It was a truly productive day at The Kamloops Food Bank. Thank you Domtar for giving so generously to your community!

Participating in a Day of Caring promotes a deeper understanding of community issues and provides an excellent team building opportunity for employees. The projects allow workplaces to demonstrate social responsibility and to make a visual impact in the communities where stakeholders live and work. United Way matches local volunteers to non-profit organizations.