United Way's campaign defies economic downturn

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Winnipeg Free Press, Friday January 16, 2009
Reproduced with permission.
Photo: Mike Deal/Winnipeg Free Press

NOBODY was more relieved at United Way of Winnipeg's year-end event than Bob Silver.

Winnipeggers really pulled together during United Way campaign, said Bob Silver.

The nearly $17.9 million is the most raised by the local United Way in its 44-year history and nearly $900,000 ahead of last year's total.

Hitting the target seemed well within reach until the economy slammed on the brakes last fall. But that's when Winnipeggers did what they do best, Silver said -- step up to the plate when they're needed.

"This is the warmest place on earth," he told a crowd of 200 people at Portage Place Shopping Centre. "Winnipeggers are unique. We're bound together by a caring and genuine spirit that's greater than any community I've been associated with. We may be one of the most generous cities in the world. We've always been there for each other when it counts."

He said his cabinet of more than 30 people and United Way staff were "deathly afraid" of letting each other down.

"We were really stressed, but it's that dynamic that helped us succeed," he said.

Silver compared this year's fundraising efforts to the Flood of the Century in 1997. Back then, people would congregate at houses that needed sandbags without even knowing who lived there.

"We're trying to do the same thing with the United Way. We're trying to build sandbags around the doubt and uncertainty of 2008 and 2009," he said.

Incoming campaign chair Jeff Zabudsky, president of Red River College, is well aware of the challenge facing him and his cabinet. He said he will oversee a "grassroots process" that will consider a variety of economic and other factors before setting the 2009 fundraising target in the fall.

"We know we're moving into a difficult time. Last year was a tough year. A lot of the economic stuff hit us in midstream. We were blindsided," he said.

But despite the growing uncertainty about the province's economic future, Zabudsky said he was confident Winnipeggers would "raise the bar" when called upon.

"It's in times of difficulty that the United Way and the agencies it supports are particularly important for the community. The generous spirit of people comes out when they know their neighbours are encountering difficult times," he said.

The United Way supports almost 100 agencies in Winnipeg that aim to reduce poverty, make neighbourhoods safer and provide opportunities for youth to reach their potential. Representing Big Brothers Big Sisters were Garth Campbell, a family doctor in Beausejour, and his little brother, Zac Bowley, a Grade 7 student at St. Alphonsus School in Winnipeg. They said they're proof that the United Way really does make a difference.

"Zac has grown from a self-confidence perspective. He has a willingness to try new activities and new foods. His attitude is 'let's give it a whirl' as opposed to 'I can't,' " Campbell said.

Bowley said he's appreciative of his "Big" and the time and effort he spends with him each week, including their latest endeavour, cooking classes.

"It means another person is in my life. I can talk to him. He's part of my family for my whole life," he said.

Silver said even though the campaign is officially over, money will be accepted by the United Way until March.

"That shouldn't deter anybody from making a contribution. The money is continually needed," he said.