Esri Canada 2014 United Way Campaign: #WeArePossibility

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” - Charles Dickens

“For it is in giving that we receive.” - Francis of Assisi

“I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.” - Khalil Gibran

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” - Winston S. Churchill

In the spirit of giving, these are just a few of the inspiring quotes read by Esri Canada president, Alex Miller, to introduce the 2014 United Way campaign at the Toronto office kick-off breakfast.

Esri Canada president, Alex Miller, introducing the United Way Campaign.

Following the introduction, representatives from the United Way shared information on the organization, the work they do and the people they help. A moving story was shared by Lynne Fisher, who has used some of the services provided through United Way to battle drug addiction, build her self-esteem and confidence, find meaningful employment opportunities and help others as a board member with Opportunity for Advancement (OFA) — a United Way member agency since 1985.

United Way service recipient, Lynne Fisher, shares her story.

Since 2009, Esri Canada has been contributing to the United Way and donating an additional $2 for every $1 employees give. We have also created a interactive map where users can find partnered agencies in their communities.

United Way community agencies map

United Way’s goal is to create opportunities for a better life for everyone in our communities. This year’s theme is “We are possibility”, aiming to make sure there are possibilities for everyone. This theme translates well within Esri Canada as there are numerous possibilities for employees to donate and participate in activities to raise money for United Way.

Some fundraising activities are available across the county, while each regional office has come up with their own ways to get employees to participate and donate. 

Activities that employees will be taking part in at Esri Canada's headquarters in Toronto include:

• Donating through a personal Web page
• Early Bird Draw for exciting gifts
• Halloween fun: dressing up in a costume, decorating a work area, trick or treating, or shell out - donate a toonie ($2)
• BINGO: employees buy game cards and play a company-wide game via email. The cash prize will be a 50/50 split: 50% of the money raised goes to the United Way and the remaining 50% gets divided into a total of 6 prizes with 3 prizes per game.  
• Silent auction
• Raffle
• No Jeans Fridays: employees donate $2 to wear jeans on Fridays in November
• Penny Drive