United Way 'leaders' can work wonders

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Winnipeg Sun, Wednesday January 9, 2008
Reproduced with permission.

Made your United Way donation yet?

If not, now is the perfect time to do so. As we speak, United Way is looking for as yet undeclared "leaders" in our community to help push their Leadership Challenge over the top, resulting in a $250,000 bonus for United Way's poverty reduction strategy.

Yes, I said a $250,000 bonus!

The "challenge", offered during the campaign by 10 long-time supporters of United Way, goes like this: if this year's campaign brings in 500 new "leaders," the long-time supporters will dig into their own pockets and donate an extra $250,000 in support of the cause.

I mean, when your individual donation can help generate an additional quarter-million in money to fight poverty, you are definitely maximizing the potential of your charitable dollar. Then, when your tax receipt dumps some of that money back into your own pocket, it's a win-win all the way around.

The biggest winners? The families, particularly the children of those families, coping with poverty on a day-to-day, year-to-year basis in our city.

Talk about a challenge. Phil Chiappetta, co-executive director of Rossbrook House, gives us some insight as to the impact of poverty in our own inner city:

"Laurie ... I would say poverty is the No. 1 issue affecting the 100-150 children and youth coming to Rossbrook House on a daily basis. For those not familiar with Rossbrook House, we are a community-based youth serving agency in Winnipeg's inner city.

"Rossbrook House (a United Way partner agency) was founded by the late Sister Geraldine MacNamara in 1976 as a constant positive alternative to the destructive environment of the streets.

"Why are alternatives needed for the streets? The reasons are often rooted in poverty. Think of the many things so many of us are able to take for granted on a daily basis: food on the table, a safe, comfortable place to live, educational opportunities, affordable transportation, and of particular importance to the children, affordable recreation -- the swimming lessons, hockey, basketball, soccer, music. There is just no money for them.

"More importantly, the transportation and support that goes with those activities (treats afterwards, someone to cheer and take pictures ...).

"Imagine being unable to find safe affordable housing. Some young people I know have moved over a half-dozen times during the school year. That's destabilizing, demoralizing.

"Sister Maria Vigna, co- executive director here at Rossbrook, often says, 'Poverty creates chaos and destroys dignity. It strips children of the hope and gift of being children.'

"Young people living in poverty can begin to lose hope in any future for themselves."

Which is why, ladies and gentlemen, United Way needs our help now, to help leverage that bonus $250,000, and really add some clout to their poverty reduction strategy. A leadership gift is $1,200, which works out to about a coffee a day after your tax saving.

Leaders, please call United Way at 477-5360 ASAP, or log on to http://www.changewinnipeg.ca/, and give some very deserving local kids hope for a better tomorrow.

Way cheaper than your average hobby, and what a return.