http://theunitedwayblog.ca/index.php http://theunitedwayblog.ca/index.php?entry=entry091120-085747

We are still wrapping up the Locally Lambton Dinner and giving thanks to everybody who supported us during the event. As you know, we raised over $18,000. Part of this success came as a result of Libro Financial Group's $2,000 sponsorship of the event.

Our next event is the Premiere Showing of Ghost Trap at the Sarnia Library on Friday, November 27th. Interest in tickets is really starting to pick up and we have added another showing; Saturday afternoon at 2:00 PM. Call United Way or email me to reserve your tickets or for more information.]]> http://theunitedwayblog.ca/index.php?entry=entry091116-075211

Once again the United Way will benefit when Mark McNabb presents the latest film in his growing movie library.

Ghost Trap will premiere on Friday, November 27th, 2009 at the Sarnia Library, and the United Way will receive $1 from every ticket sold. The movie is filmed in the Petrolia, Watford area, and is a great family movie suitable for all ages.

An interesting note of the movie, (or maybe not, depending), is I am actually in the film. I play a judge and am in the beginning and end of the movie; so there you go, another reason to see the film. Is another career on the horizon? Hardly, but I enjoyed the opportunity to do something that I have never done before and I am looking forward to see how I look.

The overall campaign is on schedule and is approaching the 60% level of the thermometer. Many campaigns are wrapping up this week and it might provide a bit of an indication how we might finish.

The Locally Lambton dinner was a huge success. We raised $18,000 and special thanks to all our sponsors, Norm Piquette, the farming organizations, everybody who donated auction items, and of course, all those who attended and participated in the auction! We have critique meetings planned to see how we can make next year's dinner even better.]]> http://theunitedwayblog.ca/index.php?entry=entry091106-095823

Norm Piquette of Normand Piquette Catering prepares the buffet table for the Locally Lambton Dinner. Shown here, Norm loads up the Greek Style Lamb; one of many popular choices on the buffet. Two whole sheep were donated in preparation for the Dinner which raised $18,000 for the United Way.

Currently, the campaign has reached almost $1,050,000 or 57% of the campaign goal.]]> http://theunitedwayblog.ca/index.php?entry=entry091105-121123

Thank you to everybody who played a role in our Locally Lambton Dinner held last night. Norm Piquette Catering, Sun Life Financial, and Libro Financial Group were our primary sponsors, but we could not have done it without all of the support from the agricultural community; growers, producers, and individuals who donated food items, auction items, and attendees.

In addition to the increased awareness of our campaign that night, we also raised $18,000; a $4,000 increase over last year. We at the United Way are very grateful for the support we receive for events like this, and for the campaign in general.

In total, we are at $1,041,000 of the $1.85 Million goal.]]> http://theunitedwayblog.ca/index.php?entry=entry091023-092032

With just over a week and a half to go, now is the time to get your tickets for the Locally lambton Dinner.

I promise you this will be the best ever dinner Buffet you will ever have!

I know all of you know by now that all of the food on the buffet is donated and has been raised, grown, or produced right here in Lambton County, What's more, all the food has been expertly prepared by Norm Piquette of Normand Piquette Catering.

Special thanks to Norm, and our two sponsors plus all of the producers, and farms who have contributed to this dinner. last year, we raised $14,000.

Sun LIfe and the Sarnia Sun Life Agents are our primary sponsors this year again, but we are proud to have added Libro FInancial Group this year. Among other things, all three Libro Lambton County branches are sponsoring the 12 foot Venetian Cream Cake that will be offered for dessert.

Call or email the United Way to reserve your tickets. 519 336-5452, or email me directly at dave@theunitedway.on.ca

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Congratulations to all Future Shop Employees in Sarnia for obtaining 100% participation among their employees! The store has come close in the past, but for the first time, reached the 100% level.

Celebrating the achievement, Sue Burk, and Mari-Jo Scott died their hair, and Matt MacDougall strategically shaved parts of his moustache and beard.

The success of the Future Shop employee campaign helped the overall United Way of Sarnia-Lambton campaign surpass the 50% level of the campaign this week.

Currently, the campaign is sitting at 50.1% of the $1,85 Million goal.]]> http://theunitedwayblog.ca/index.php?entry=entry090924-081434

The Day of Caring has traditionally marked the official campaign kickoff for 15 of the last 16 years. Above, are five of 265 volunteers from across the community helping at at many jobs sites all over Lambton. Over the next couple of weeks, I will add more images and memories of the Day of Caring on my blog.

Overall, the campaign has eclipsed the 30% mark on the thermometer and is tracking very closely to last year. Currently, we are closing in on $600,000.

Many employee campaigns have already began in Lambton, and one, Ineos - Nova is almost finished. In fact, when I spoke to our Employee Co-ordinator, Liz Brown, she told me they were waiting on just nine more possible donors. Congrats to the employees at Ineos - Nova.]]> http://theunitedwayblog.ca/index.php?entry=entry090910-091307

The campaign is all but officially kicked off.

Our campaign will officially kickoff on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 with the traditional Day of Caring, but we are already at just over 20% of the $1,850,000 goal.

Paul Cooper, shown above is the 2009 Imperial Oil Loaned Representative. Paul began on Tuesday, September 8 and is already active on the campaign.

Later this morning, Imperial Oil will present the 2009 corporate donation and rumours are the gift will be better than last year! Log in tomorrow to see!

Sarnia Sting fans still have an opportunity to get their tickets to the Sarnia Sting home opener on Friday, Sept. 18 and support the United Way too. Just email unitedway@ssec.on.ca to order your tickets, and the United Way will receive $5 from every ticket.]]> http://theunitedwayblog.ca/index.php?entry=entry090820-080246

Thanks to early corporate donations like the one we received from the Bank of Montreal in the photo above, the Campaign has now hit the 15% level of our $1,850,000 goal. Bank of Montreal was the first of the banks in Sarnia to pledge their support with a $5,000 donation. Marten VandenBroek and I were on hand to accept the donation. Ironically, the gift was presented at their Exmouth Street location across the road from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans where they were holding another event.

Natalie Drew and her committee of volunteers held another successful BBQ and this time added a Trunk Sale on Thursday.

Final preparation for our Great Big Jam is taking place now. The Great Big Jam will take place on Saturday, August 22, 2009, and I hope to see as many of you there as possible. Special thanks to Steve Loxton of Great Big Sound for putting on the event. Ten bands will take to the stage beginning at noon on Saturday at the Dow People Place in Sarnia.]]> http://theunitedwayblog.ca/index.php?entry=entry090729-100751
The staff at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and other Coast Guard related staff continue to build on their great history of United Way support.

During the many events held at the DFO, many staff involve their families including some in the Photo above. Corry Lester, daughter of employee Nancy Lester stand with Nathalie Drew at the cash table, while Christine Ryan, Jeddore McDonald, and Lawrence Swift are in the background.

While the DFO BBQ was being held, many of the United Way staff were at the office packing boxes and preparing for our move to the Chris Dawson Foundation Centre at 420 East St.
]]> http://theunitedwayblog.ca/index.php?entry=entry090722-080056
Plans are coming together nicely for the Great Big Jam on Saturday, August 22, 2009.
Several bands are already booked including 3rd Wave, Running Red Lights, and others.
This is an all day, all ages event that is sure to please all tastes.
The Great Big Jam will begin at noon and run until Midnight at the Dow People Place in Sarnia. Visit the Great Big Jam website at http://greatbigjan.proboards.com for more information and updates. The event will benefit the United Way and several other agencies.
THe event is organized by Steve Loxton of Great Big Sound; his website is: www.greatbigsound.ca.]]> http://theunitedwayblog.ca/index.php?entry=entry090714-082040

The moving date for us to move into the Chris Dawson Foundation Centre at 420 East St. in Sarnia is getting closer. In fact, we have already started to move our long term files, and campaign supplies into our lower unit. The furniture will move in on July 23, and the official move takes place on Monday, July 27th, 2009.

In the photo above, are representatives from other groups have have already moved in, or soon will. Standing next to me is Judy Doan from the Alzheimer Society of Sarnia-Lambton, George Vincent and Marianne Buchanan from the Lambton Seniors, Dave Leclair from the Multiple Sclerosis, Anita Minielly, who is the Executive Director of the Chris Dawson Foundation, and Marsha Davidson from the Breast Cancer Society of Canada.

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Thank you to Glen Fenwick and his customers for supporting the United Way in June. Customers and Fenwick himself all pitched in to support the campaign that is about to set it's campaign goal. With this support, the Campaign is already at over $250,000.

The United Way Board will meet tonight and have two important agenda items. The first of which is to set the 2009 Campaign goal which will be announced in August, and the other is to approve the final policy regarding the new Community Outcomes Process.

It is widely speculated agencies that are approved for funding will receive a three year funding commitment from the United Way beginning April 1, 2010. First, agencies have to submit this summer in the first of two rounds of submissions. The entire process is likely to run until near Christmas. Final decisions will be approved by the Board in January and payments will begin on April 1, 2010.]]> http://theunitedwayblog.ca/index.php?entry=entry090506-103328

Congratulations to Lambton Central Collegiate and Vocational Institute in Petrolia for winning the Secondary School of the year. Roger Sparks, the Employee Campaign Chair at LCCVI issued a fundriasing challenge to the other Secondary Schools to compete against one another to see which school could raise the most money per capita for the United Way.

The staff at LCCVI raised just $6 shy of $6,000 last year. At the presentation of the award, Roger topped up the contributions to meet the $6,000 plateau.

In the photo above, I present LCCVI Principal Phil Warner with the United Way trophy while Roger looks on.

A side bet Roger made with Alexandre Mackenzie in Sarnia, involves representatives from that school to wear LCCVI Lancers hockey jerseys like the ones shown for a day.

I look forward to seeing this rivalry pick up in the coming years.


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Congratulations to Rob Moore who won the 2008 United Way volunteer of the Year.

Congratulations to Nova Chemicals for winning the Dr. Richard White Day of Caring Award. Long time United Way Employee Campaign Co-ordinator Linda Stamos accepted the award on behalf of Nova Chemicals.

At the United Way Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, March 25. United Way Board Member Chris Hawksworth announced the Volunteer of the Year award and presented it to Rob, while George Vincent, a Board Member from the Lambton Seniors announced the Day of Caring Award and presented it to Linda.

Thank you to Tara Hagen of The Observer for submitting this photo.]]> http://theunitedwayblog.ca/index.php?entry=entry090318-134147

The Sarnia Sting in co-operation with Selectpath Financial Services are conducting an on-line jersey auction in an effort to raise funds for the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton.

The jerseys up for auction are the warm up jerseys that have been worn by the Sting during the second half of the season.

Selectpath Financial Services, the sponsor of the jerseys, has chosen the United Way as the charitable organization to receive the proceeds from the auction.

The jersey auction is taking place on the Sting website (www.sarniasting.com) and is running until Tuesday March 31st.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Sarnia Sting Hockey club, and Slectpath Financial Services very much for selecting the United Way.

I would also like to wish the Sarnia Sting all the best during the 2009 OHL Playoffs.]]> http://theunitedwayblog.ca/index.php?entry=entry090317-074237

Thanks to the great success we had last year, we are once again holding a Great Lakes Cruise Raffle. The grand Prize is a trip for two aboard the Saginaw, the second place draw is a helicopter tour of Lambton County for four, and this year, a two night stay at the Four Points Hotel in Kingston. All prizes have been donated resulting in nearly a 100% profit from the raffle. Last year, over $5,000 was raised.

Thank you to Central Machine and Marine, Lower Lakes Towing, Enbridge Pipelines, and our good friends from the Four Points in Kingston.

Call or email the United Way office for tickets or if you require more information.]]> http://theunitedwayblog.ca/index.php?entry=entry090305-094637

After a busy January and February, I am back to more regular blog updates. As with most "campaign off seasons", my updates will not be as frequent as during the campaign months, but will be at least weekly.

I will be adjusting my blog slightly to allow user comments, so I am excited about that change expected soon.

I do want to let all of you know about the joint fundraiser we are doing with the folks from the play, Night Sky. The cast and crew are moving on in a competition and need to raise some money for expenses, so they thought what better way to raise some money than by putting on the play at a special reduced rate, AND, the group is offering to donate $2 from each ticket sold to the United Way.

This is a great opportunity to see a quality play at a great price and support two groups at the same time.

The poster above has all the details, and feel free to call the Imperial Oil Theatre for more information.

The United Way wishes all those involved in Night Sky the best of luck in the competition.]]> http://theunitedwayblog.ca/index.php?entry=entry081219-083754



We are closing in on 96% with about $85,000 to go. The final campaigns are wrapping up quickly and every phone call gets us a little bit closer to our goal.



Special thanks to Teppermans for sponsoring our Construction Industry Draw. In the Photo above, store Manager Kathy Sitter and one of her employees go through the final paperwork in advance of drawing the name of the winner, a CBM Employee. Thank you to Teppermans, CBM employees, and everybody in the Construction Industry for participating in 2008. Overall, the construction industry in Sarnia-Lambton raised over $45,000 this year.]]> http://theunitedwayblog.ca/index.php?entry=entry081217-140501


Suncor Energy bumped up their contribution today with more than $2,000 more and Enbridge Pipelines reported their financial totals and it tallied more than we expected. All together,with the Enbridge Corporate donation, and the employees, the total is near $28,000.



Retirees, Dentists, and businesses continue to send their contributions through the mail.



Thank you to the more than 7,300 people who have pledged so far.



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