Giving comes naturally for her

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Winnipeg Free Press, Monday December 22, 2008
Reproduced with permission.
Photo: Joe Bryksa/Winnipeg Free Press

Jessica Dabrowski says she can afford to donate $1,200 because she lives at home.

She's signed up to give the United Way $100 a month, each month, for the next year.

And she doesn't think it's a big deal.

"I live at home," Dabrowski said.

"I don't have any expenses, why not give to someone who needs it."

Dabrowski works at Convergys Customer Management Canada in Winnipeg.

Each year, the company runs a United Way campaign and encourages employees to donate what they can afford. Someone her age, committing to donate $1,200, doesn't happen often.

Dabrowski has worked as an agent doing customer service and technical support at Convergys for about six months.

She doesn't make a huge salary. In fact, her pay is roughly $10 per hour. However, when she was approached by a fellow employee and asked if she wanted to donate to the United Way, Dabrowski didn't think twice.

"I was never really poor, so I feel bad for those who are," she said, shrugging off the idea that she is doing something special.

The United Way is a community building organization aimed at making the city a better place. Each year, it runs a campaign to raise money to help fund a number of programs, that help people in need.

Helping children and youth achieve their potential, promoting financial stability and independence, and improving neighbourhood health and personal well-being are the United Way's three main strategies to improve the community.

For Dabrowski, helping children and young people get through school is particularly important.

"I was never without, and I barely made it through school," she said.

Without generous contributions like the one Dabrowski made, the United Way wouldn't achieve its goals.

"I think it's wonderful, and we couldn't be more appreciative," United Way campaign director Stephanie Levene said.

She feels the same way about big companies like Convergys that take the initiative to raise money in the workplace.

"Without those types of partnerships, we really couldn't have the success that we do with our fundraising," Levene said.

"It says a lot about their commitment to the Winnipeg community."

The United Way is the charity of choice for Convergys. The company has been involved in raising funds for the United Way for more than 10 years.

For every dollar donated by an employee, the company donates an additional 20 cents. This year, between 1,500 employees and the company's donation matching, the company has raised $89,000 for the United Way.

Brad Charach, an operations manager at Convergys, is proud of how well the company has done.

He's impressed with Dabrowski's commitment to the cause. "She's just a wonderful girl," he said.

Convergys employees are done fundraising this year, but the team is getting ready to start its United Way campaign for next year.