Tell the world why you support the United Way!

McMaster United: Leading the Way campaign surpasses targets

The McMaster community has done it again! Together, the McMaster United Way workplace campaign raised $251,964.42 for the United Way of Greater Hamilton and Burlington, surpassing the target of $225,000 by $26,964.42 or 12 per cent.

Your investment in the Hamilton and Burlington communities will fund 134 programs and services that prevent and reduce poverty for children, youth and families, support our seniors and strengthen neighbourhoods. Once again McMaster students, staff, retirees and faculty have given generously from the heart. The United Way thanks you!

The McMaster United Way committee.

United Way hosts an Educational Night at McMaster

The McMaster United Way is hosting a lecture featuring speakers from some of the many agencies the organization supports.

Paul Johnson from Wesley Urban Ministries, Judy Robinson and Abbey from St. John Ambulance (therapy dogs) and Marg Taylor from the YWCA will all speak about their organizations and the significance of the support and funding they receive from the United Way.

Anne Bermingham, chair of the Hamilton Campaign Cabinet and Darrel Skidmore, former United Way CEO will also outline the history, breadth and scope of the United Way.

The lecture will take place Monday, January 11 at MDCL 3023 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Never Seen Anything Like it!

2008 McMaster United Way Campaign Committee

 

The 2008 McMaster United Way Campaign raised $221,750 with over $46,249 coming in January, the last month of the campaign.

 

As a member of the McMaster United Way Committee, I was really concerned about whether we would achieve our goal of $210,000. 

 

With the economy in a free fall over the holidays and the whispers of large layoffs in the New Year, many in the city were looking to campaigns like ours to make up the difference.

 

So, we doubled our efforts with phone calls, a poster campaign and use of the new electronic parking signs to get out the message that we needed your support. 

 

Boy did McMaster staff and faculty answer!  By February 2nd we had raised $216,870 and we decided that it was safe to do the end of campaign photo.  Staff and Faculty had other ideas and another $4,880 was donated.  So, our campaign photo is not quite accurate.

 

On behalf of those who volunteer their time and effort to this campaign, I would like to express our deep appreciation for your generous support.

 

Your donations make a real difference in the lives of thousands of men, women and children in the Burlington and Hamilton communities. 

 

Just to give you one example, I visited the Eva Roswell Resource Centre where your donations have been used to create a positive and safe place for children who live in the poorest community of Hamilton. 

 

According to Mission Services, over one quarter of the 5,000 residences are single mothers.

 

On my visit, I watched kids play in a safe and welcoming environment where they had access to books, toys and supervision.  The centre has incredible community support for people who have almost nothing.  There are no banks, no grocery stores, no bus service or many other things that you would normally associate with a neighborhood community.

 

What kind of future would these kids have without your support?  This is just one example of how your generous donations are being used to make a real difference to those is need. On behalf of the committee, I wish to say thank you for caring. It is because of people like you that the United Way is able to complete its important work.

 

Golden Key Society

Golden Key Society members fund raise for the 2007 McMaster United Way Campaign.

Upcoming Events

Thursday, October 30, 2008 – The Golden Key Society pack the car event.  Students will be encouraged to donate food for United Way agencies in the communities of Hamilton and Burlington.

 

Friday, October 31, 2008 – the MSU Pumpkin Hike.  The event starts at 6:30 pm and last until 8:00 pm.  For more information, please contact the McMaster Student Union.

 

Friday, October 31, 2008 – the DeGroote Bake Sale.  This annual event for the McMaster United Way is held during the lunch hours in the Michael DeGroote School of Business lobby.

 

GenNext Event

GenNext Event Poster

GenNext Event

 

I wanted to invite you all to a chic cocktail event that GenNext will be hosting on Friday, November 7th, 2008 @ The Westside Concert Theatre. This year’s event is “Cosmo’s and Campari’s: Sex and the City meets The Sopranos” and tickets are only $15.00, with ALL NET PROCEEDS going to the United Way. There will be Soprano-esque and SATC elements incorporate into the night, including Pizzaland Pizza, fun cocktails and camparis, and live music from Mississipi Kings and DJ Perri. 

  

 

The venue is located exactly two blocks from Hess Village, no more than a 4 or 5 minute walk from the village itself. Please click on the map for the exact location.

 

 

http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Hamilton&state=ON&address=434+King+Street+West

 

 

Rob Tartaglia, Justin Joseph and myself are co-chairing the event, so it would be great to have you there in support and to have some fun. This is a one of a kind fundraiser in the city of Hamilton for our age group.

 

 

If you have any questions or if you would like to purchase some tickets, please let me know.

 

 

Cheers,

 

 

PJ Mercanti

 

President

Carmen’s Inc.  www.carmens.com

1520 Stone Church Rd. East

Hamilton, ON   L8W 3P9

905-383-4100 ext 208   1-800-753-9857

e-mail – pjmercanti@carmens.com

 

 

 

IRC Stair Climb

Student Volunteer helps with the 2008 IRC Stair Climb

MAC Students Ready For Any Challenge

 

Monday, October 20, 2008 – MAC Students raised over $1600 for the United Way.  Despite many students still dealing with the aftermath of the Brandon Hall fire on Saturday, October 18, Inter-Residence Council still raised $1644 in its annual IRC Stair Walk.  According to Nicole Ferreira, one of the student organizers, she expected the event to be cancelled because of the fire but students felt that it was important that the event go ahead.

IRC STair Climb

IRC Stair Climb Organizers - Nicole Ferreira and Caitlin Hughes

IRC Stair climb

 

Building a sense of community is what it is all about, according to Nicole Ferreira and Caitlin Hughes, IRC organizers for the 2008 Inter-Residence Council (IRC) Stair climb.

 

In addition to helping the United Way, the IRC Stair Climb is an important event for developing future leaders of the IRC.  “We have very spirited students but they can take on more serious roles…We are not all fun and games…you got to make them feel like their contributing,” stated Nicole.

 

“People want to get involved especially in my rez (Wallingford)… and it builds community.” You need “to make them feel empowered so they will do our jobs next year,” said Cailtin.

 

Caitlin and Nicole both agreed that having a good cause was critical to the success of the stair climb and they looked forward to seeing the results.

 

 

 

Welcome Week

Phil Wood, Associate Vice-President of Student Affairs; President Peter George; Provest Ilene Busch-Vishniac.

Faculty Day at Ron Joyce Stadium

Tuesday, September 2, 2008 – Students prepare to hear the results of the first Drive Hunger Away campaign.  The food will be given to United Way agencies and the MSU Breadbin Food Bank.