Back to school time is always exciting, especially when you have everything you need for learning! But not everyone has that opportunity. United Way Central Alberta and the Outreach Centre present Tools for School, which aims to reduce one known barrier preventing children and youth from successful learning and participation in school. Annually, Tools for School provides backpacks and school supplies to students in kindergarten through Grade 12 whose families have limited resources. While the school supplies included may not exactly match your school’s supply list, they’re a great start.  Through support of community donors and corporate sponsors, we continue to meet the needs of children and youth in our community.

Help Tools for School be a catalyst to bring together education, public and corporate sectors.

Workplace Spotlight

Sanjel staff were up to the challenge!

Sanjel Energy Services Red Deer recently challenged their employees to some friendly competition, encouraging each team to collect the most school supplies.

Not only was this a great team engagement initiative but Sanjel Energy Services was gracious enough to match their employee giving, doubling their impact right here in Central Alberta.

Their generosity led to 73 fully stuffed backpacks for us to provide to families who have limited resources.

Are you up to the challenge?!

On March 6, 2023 community leaders, donors and volunteers gathered to celebrate the 2022 United Way campaign as well as the support, generosity and spirit that makes United Way so important in our community.

2022 was a year of transition for United Way Central Alberta (UWCA). In addition to its traditional fundraising campaign, outreach and community collaboration, UWCA undertook a complete update of its Strategic Plan and Community Impact Strategy to best position itself to improve lives in the region in the next three years of post-pandemic recovery.

These updates ensure United Way Central Alberta can best deliver on our new vision of creating thriving communities where everyone can reach their potential and our new mission of strengthening vital connections that support people in need across our communities.

Despite an extremely challenging economic environment, over $1,608,000 was raised locally over the past year through workplace campaigns and individual donations. These funds will provide much needed resources to our local social sector.

United Way Central Alberta is also delivering $997,000 into the hands of non-profits and charities across our region as part of the federal government Community Services Recovery Fund (CSRF).  Applications are currently under review with the funds being delivered to non-profits in our region in July of this year.

Through CSRF applications, UWCA had just under $1 million to give to our region but fielded $2.5 million in requests. That discrepancy between requests and money to deliver speaks to the need in our community.

With multi year community grant applications opening on March 13, 2023, we know we will have more requests than what we have to give.  We see the need and challenges faced by our social sector first hand and they are not taken lightly.  Every effort is being made to ensure that as many dollars as possible will be invested directly into our community and our new Community Impact strategy will ensure we make the greatest impact in the areas of the greatest need.

Our utmost thanks goes out to every workplace, business, or person who donated to United Way this past year.  The impact we have in our region is only possible because of you and all of the hard work and passion you dedicate to United Way.

We are also extremely grateful for our volunteers who make our work possible.  This includes our Campaign Cabinet, Community Impact Council, Board of Directors, DEI Committee, GenNext and our Scotch Committee.  Thank you to each and everyone one of you for choosing to share your time and talent with us.

We hold such appreciation for our United Way Client Ambassadors.  They are some of our bravest and most helpful champions.  United Way funds programs delivered by local agencies.  Our Client Ambassadors are people who have been personally impacted by these programs, and throughout campaign and the whole year, these folks help connect donors to the impact of their dollars.  They share their stories to let people know how the programs, that receive your donations, have helped them and made their lives better.

The evening program also included presenting our 2022 United Way Central Alberta campaign awards.   These awards celebrate the support, generosity and spirit that makes United Way so important in our community. Congratulations to all of our nominees and winners!  We are so thankful for all that you do.

2022 United Way Campaign Award Winners

Award of Excellence

These awards are presented to the 2022 workplace campaigns that raised the most dollars for United Way Central Alberta.

1. NOVA Chemicals – Joffre
2. MEGlobal – Prentiss
3. INEOS Canada Partnership – Joffre

Innovation Award

This award is presented to the organization who used new and innovated ideas to generate big payoffs for the United Way and building a stronger community together.

Winner:  Dow Canada – Prentiss Site

Rising Star Award

This award is presented to the workplace campaign that generated significant increase in donors and dollars over the previous year.

Winner:   INEOS Canada Partnership – Joffre

Outstanding Employee Campaign Chair Award

This award is presented to the ECC that showed innovation, teamwork, and enthusiasm in the promotion and executing of their workplace campaign – achieving stronger than expected results in the workplace.

Winner:  Kayle Yonkman | MEGlobal – Prentiss

Local Love Award

This award is presented to a local organization that demonstrated excellence in the execution of their workplace campaign and support of United Way.

Winner:            Scott Builders Inc.

Education and Engagement Award

This award is presented to the organization or community initiative that increased awareness of community needs and the mission of United Way and the impact donations have on our community.

Winner:            NOVA Chemicals – Joffre

Funded Partnership Award

This award is presented to the United Way Funded Partner that has shown outstanding partnership and collaboration throughout the past year.

Winner:           COSMOS Red Deer

Everyday Hero Award

This award recognizes organizations that have demonstrated excellence in engaging their customers with the impact of United Way and the work of improving local lives.

Winner:            Central Alberta Co-op Ltd.

Community Builder Award

This award recognizes a business that takes action all year round to show their local love to make a positive impact in their community.

Winner:           MNP LLP

Video by Jess Andrykew, TBC Media