United Way

The United Way campaign at the Toronto Public Library once again wrapped up another successful year with a Thank-You Tea for all of its canvassers on Thursday January 12, 2012. Ron Dyck, Director of IT and Facilities, spoke on behalf of City Librarian Jane Pyper to express his appreciation and thanks to the many who were involved with the success of the campaign. The 2011 TPL campaign raised $143,733.86, 10% of the City’s total raised!

Toronto Public Library Workers’ Union (CUPE Local 4948) President Maureen O’Reilly, along with Vice President Brendan Haley, United Way Resource Development Manager Anita McMaster, and City of Toronto United Way Project Director Cal Scotchmer were invited to participate in the Cheque presentation ceremony. All spoke of the generosity of staff that donate and contribute their time and efforts into a worthy cause that deeply impacts our community. Canvassers were applauded for their hard work on a successful campaign.

Co-Chairpersons Mark Williams and Debby Ng also thanked the United Way committee members for their hard work in making everything possible.

There were many more to thank in the success of this campaign including, the artists in our art raffle draw: Jane Hunter and Maria Kelemen, who both continue to support United Way with their talent, skills, and generous hearts. Special thanks also went out to the Annual Talent Show volunteers, all of whom put on an amazing evening show highlighting the hidden talents of our library staff. Also, for the first time in 2011, the Talent Show hosted an Arts and Crafts fair that showcased handicrafts of our talented staff. This addition generated lots of excitement amongst those attending the show and was another great way to see all the wonderful things that our library staff can do! The Toronto Public Library Workers' Union was also thanked for their continued support in the campaign as well as with their contributions toward our goal.

The top canvassers were announced and awards were distributed with special acknowledgments to our Canvasser of the Year: Todd Ta.

Parkdale Branch won'the Spare Change Drive Award for raising the most money with a total of $244. They attribute their success to the spirit of "penny wars." Our Spare Change Drive coordinator Ab Velasco did an amazing job at organizing the drive and distributing information to each branch. His enthusiasm piqued the interest of 66 branches participating, up from 20 branches in 2010!

Toronto Public Library also took part in the annual United Way CN Tower Stair climb in October with our fastest climber Jeffrey Toste climbing the tower in 17.29 minutes. Our top pledge CN Tower climb fund-raiser belonged to our committee member, Ab Velasco! Congratulations everyone!

Mark thanked committee member Deborah Cox for an excellent job in organizing the Thank-You Tea event and also thanked Debby for co-chairing alongside him for the 2011 year. Debby then thanked Mark for being the excellent person that he is and then expressed the loss the United Way Committee would be feeling with Mark stepping off as Co-Chair for the 2012 year.

In conclusion, Mark and Debby thanked everyone one last time for making United Way a priority and for going the extra mile. "Without you, there would be no way!"

The United Way campaign at the Toronto Public Library once again wrapped up another successful year with a Thank-You Tea for all of its canvassers on Thursday January 12, 2012. Ron Dyck, Director of IT and Facilities, spoke on behalf of City Librarian Jane Pyper to express his appreciation and thanks to the many who were involved with the success of the campaign. The 2011 TPL campaign raised $143,733.86, 10% of the City’s total raised!

Toronto Public Library Workers’ Union (CUPE Local 4948) President Maureen O’Reilly, along with Vice President Brendan Haley, United Way Resource Development Manager Anita McMaster, and City of Toronto United Way Project Director Cal Scotchmer were invited to participate in the Cheque presentation ceremony. All spoke of the generosity of staff that donate and contribute their time and efforts into a worthy cause that deeply impacts our community. Canvassers were applauded for their hard work on a successful campaign.

Co-Chairpersons Mark Williams and Debby Ng also thanked the United Way committee members for their hard work in making everything possible.

There were many more to thank in the success of this campaign including, the artists in our art raffle draw: Jane Hunter and Maria Kelemen, who both continue to support United Way with their talent, skills, and generous hearts. Special thanks also went out to the Annual Talent Show volunteers, all of whom put on an amazing evening show highlighting the hidden talents of our library staff. Also, for the first time in 2011, the Talent Show hosted an Arts and Crafts fair that showcased handicrafts of our talented staff. This addition generated lots of excitement amongst those attending the show and was another great way to see all the wonderful things that our library staff can do! The Toronto Public Library Workers' Union was also thanked for their continued support in the campaign as well as with their contributions toward our goal.

The top canvassers were announced and awards were distributed with special acknowledgments to our Canvasser of the Year: Todd Ta.

Parkdale Branch won'the Spare Change Drive Award for raising the most money with a total of $244. They attribute their success to the spirit of "penny wars." Our Spare Change Drive coordinator Ab Velasco did an amazing job at organizing the drive and distributing information to each branch. His enthusiasm piqued the interest of 66 branches participating, up from 20 branches in 2010!

Toronto Public Library also took part in the annual United Way CN Tower Stair climb in October with our fastest climber Jeffrey Toste climbing the tower in 17.29 minutes. Our top pledge CN Tower climb fund-raiser belonged to our committee member, Ab Velasco! Congratulations everyone!

Mark thanked committee member Deborah Cox for an excellent job in organizing the Thank-You Tea event and also thanked Debby for co-chairing alongside him for the 2011 year. Debby then thanked Mark for being the excellent person that he is and then expressed the loss the United Way Committee would be feeling with Mark stepping off as Co-Chair for the 2012 year.

In conclusion, Mark and Debby thanked everyone one last time for making United Way a priority and for going the extra mile. "Without you, there would be no way!"