After beating their goal and raising $3,416,481 dollars, 250 United Way volunteers celebrated the organization’s record-breaking campaign with an awards ceremony at the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre here on Feb. 10.
“We are one of the top United Ways in the country,” said Ken Dardano, executive director of United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin. “It’s really a reflection of the community.”
Throughout the event, many local businesses were recognized for their generosity in several categories.
Cargill Canada was nominated and recognized in many categories, and took home the Campaign of the Year Award.
According to a press release, employees at Cargill facilities across Guelph raised $455,561 with 48% of its employees giving to the campaign this year, and 71 giving over $1,000.
The Cargill Canada team along with Tina Swindells of the University of Guelph, were recipients of the leading outstanding workplace campaigns award.
Wellington County council and staff raised over $50,000 in 2013 through barbecues, raffles, silent auctions, personal pledges and more.
“Over $3.4 million was raised [overall] and will help fund more than 85 important community programs,” Wellington County Warden Chris White said in a statement in the event program.
“These programs help people in Wellington, Guelph and Dufferin every day.”
TD Canada Trust, RBC Foundation, Cargill Canada, and Sleeman Breweries Ltd., were a few of the many who were awarded the 2013 Pacesetters award, which is given to those who made early donations to United Way, or completed a campaign before the kick-off.
“We went a long way as a team,” said Jim Jarrell, current campaign chair.
After all the awards were given out, Jarrell announced Chief Bryan Larkin of the Guelph Police Service will be filling his position as United Way’s new campaign chair for 2014 and 2015.
“I am thrilled to be joining the United Way in this capacity,” Chief Bryan Larkin said in a press release.
“It’s a natural fit – volunteerism and building a strong, safe community goes hand-in-hand with policing.”
