Together we will make it
One City. One Heart. One Way.
Frances Lankin joins Mayor David Miller and the STOMP dancers in revealing United Way Toronto's 2008 Campaign goal of $110,000,000.
Nathan Phillips Square Toronto
It rained before and it rained after but the sun came out and shone brightly as United Way and the City of Toronto teamed up to launch the 2008 United Way Campaign and the City of Toronto Annual Workplace Campaign. Over 2,000 people gathered in Nathan Phillips Square: City employees, volunteers and professionals from United Way agencies, employees from other workplace campaigns, and lots and lots of Torontonians who just wanted to lend their support and enjoy the festivities.
Launched in the wake of tough economic news, the event was a showcase for Toronto at its best: thousands coming together in common purpose to help their neighbours in hard times. In a year of uncertainty, when the pressure on our community will be greater, United Way efforts are more important than ever. That's why this year's gathering meant so much to so many.
In booths along the square, United Way agencies distributed information and offered members' handicrafts for sale. Two United Way Social Purpose Enterprises—The River Café and Friends Restaurant—served up treats while another, St. John's Bakery, did a brisk business as people snapped up their wonderful breads. For those in a BBQ mood, Toronto EMS/Firefighters manned the hot dog and hamburger stations.
Cal Scotchmer, City of Toronto United Way Project Director—a role he has admirably filled for the past six campaigns—welcomed special guests and participants, and introduced emcees Erin Davis and Mike Cooper. The inimitable duo from CHFI 98.1 then took the stage and proceeded to move the two-hour agenda along with lots of good-humoured banter.
Mayor Miller reaffirmed the City's firm commitment to United Way, noting that for each of the past six years the employee campaign raised over $1 million. He urged everyone to participate, emphasizing that "the money we give helps mobilize people and resources to strengthen individuals, families and communities." The Mayor spoke about the enthusiastic support of City labour representatives, civic employee unions and thousands of individual City employees, the leadership of Cal Scotchmer and the efforts of Shirley Hoy, City Manager "whose passion for the United Way has been a key factor in our annual fundraising drive."
"I can't tell you how proud we are to have Mayor Miller and all of you who work for the City helping us launch United Way's 2008 Campaign," said Frances Lankin, President and CEO, United Way Toronto. "This is the time," she continued, "when people from across Toronto come together in common purpose to make a difference in people's lives…to tackle the underlying root causes of social problems and change community conditions for the better." Speaking of the current economic environment in which many friends and neighbours face hard times, she said "it takes a whole community pulling together to build a better future."
When Frances Lankin and the Mayor unveiled this year's campaign goal—$110,000,000—there was resounding applause. People in the crowd understood what Frances Lankin has always known, that "it's during hard times that people in our city shine the brightest."
In this first ever dual kick-off event, United Way representatives and City of Toronto employees joined forces to reaffirm their commitment and to celebrate the power of people. The power to reach out, to make a difference—in good times and in bad—to make our city the best place it can be, for everyone.
Together we will make it was the Cover Story in our quarterly newsletter, Community Matters: Fall 2008
