Volume Nine, Number Four   September 2004    www.columbiajournal.ca

Labour & United Way

Celebrating 25 Years of Partnership

This year marks the silver anniversary of the remarkable partnership between Labour and United Way of the Lower Mainland. And as the 2004 United Way fall campaign is set to launch, that traditions continues on.

“Twenty-five years ago, when representatives from United Way met with Labour representatives, they quickly understood that both organizations shared the same fundamental values; caring about people in our community,” comments Mike McKnight, President of United Way of the Lower Mainland. “They knew through working together and solidifying a bond, Labour and United Way could help make a difference in the lives of people. Today, Labour is an essential component of United Way.”

On June 29, 2004, Labour volunteers and representatives from the past 25 years gathered at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown to celebrate and recognize the silver anniversary of the remarkable partnership.
“This was truly a wonderful event,” says Mervyn Van Steinburg, Director of the Labour Department with United Way. “The reception included addresses by representatives of each of the original signatory organizations: United Way, BC Federation of Labour, and the Canadian Labour Congress. Labour has truly become a key component within the United Way.”

That importance will be felt as United Way prepares to launch the 2004 Community Campaign.  United Way is focusing on what matters in our community. Wouldn’t it be incredible if no child ever went hungry and all or our elderly could live out their days in dignity? What if every family knew they had a place to turn to for help or if someone coping with a disability had the support they needed to thrive?

If you can imagine such a community, then you share the values of United Way and of Labour, a vision of not just how things could be but of how they should be. Together, we help fulfill that vision every day by doing what matters – helping people. By getting involved in the 2004 Community Campaign, you can be a part of this commitment to a better community by investing in what matters.

Labour support has also made significant contributions to the Loaned and Sponsored Representative program. Each fall, community-minded employers lend their employees to United Way to assist in conducting and implementing effective workplace campaigns, helping to raise millions for the community. In 1957, a Labour organization was the first to sponsor a loaned representative participating in a United Way campaign in North America and Labour continues to contribute annually to this program.

Labour representatives also sit on a number of United Way committees including the Board of Directors and Campaign Cabinet; Labour representatives annually participate in Day of Caring; and Labour is responsible for coordinating the Harrison Winter School and the Union Counseling program.

By working together and sharing the same vision for a better community, Labour and United Way can help shape the future and make a difference in the lives of people in our community. Congratulations to everyone who has played a part in supporting this unique partnership for the past 25 years.