Federal Public Servants and Retirees launch National Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign

Thursday, September 9, 2010, Ottawa – Today, federal government employees and retirees gathered at the Cartier Square Drill Hall to launch the 2010 Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC). Robert Fonberg, Deputy Minister of National Defence and the 2010 National GCWCC Chair, revealed this year’s goal for the National Capital Region – an impressive $22 million.

“This campaign means so much to so many people,” said Robert Fonberg. “It’s a chance for public servants and our men and women in uniform to come together and work toward one goal. That goal is to build better communities across Canada and make a real difference in the lives of others.”

The GCWCC is an important annual event for federal public servants and retirees. Whether their commitment is to create lasting and measurable social change in their own communities through United Way, to improve health services, education and research through Healthpartners, or to support the cause of any other registered Canadian charity, the GCWCC unites federal employees and retirees in working toward a common goal to improve the lives of others.

“This campaign is a reflection of our core values,” said Fonberg. “We came to the public service because we care about our country. This campaign lets us show we care just as much about our community.”

Throughout the campaign, federal government departments and agencies here in the National Capital Region will hold large and small fundraising events involving employees and retirees as they work toward this year’s goal. They descend upon rinks for hockey tournaments, climb in canoes or mount tricycles for races, and host countless breakfasts and bake sales. Federal employees and retirees also donate their time by participating in events such as Community Action Days, where they volunteer at community service organizations.

“The financial goal is certainly an ambitious one,” said Joan Highet, Vice-President, Campaigns, United Way Ottawa. “But it’s more than just money; it reflects the shared commitment that federal public servants and retirees have to making a real difference in the lives of others. And it demonstrates the important leadership of the federal public service here in our region.”

The 2010 GCWCC kicks off today and concludes with an achievement celebration on Thursday, November 25, 2010, at the National Gallery of Canada. Last year federal employees and retirees helped to improve the quality of life of people living in communities across the country by raising more than $38 million in support of United Ways across Canada, Healthpartners and more than 80,000 other registered Canadian charities. More than $21.6 million of this amount was raised in the National Capital Region alone.

 

For more information on the GCWCC, please contact:
Brendan Mullen, United Way Ottawa
Phone: 613-228-2503, Cell: 613-799-6021
E-mail: bmullen@unitedwayottawa.ca
Website: www.gcwcc-ccmtgc.org/