History of United Way of Leeds & Grenville

How it all began. Our History in the community, our accomplishments, goals achieved and who made it happen throughout the years. United Way of Leeds & Grenville, serving your community since 1957.

2005

Campaign goal of $800,000
Raised $801,160.62
First Student Stampede had students from area schools climbing 1776 steps at the Brockville Memorial Centre.
Summer saw the most employees to date: two staff and six contract employees!

2004

Theme - "Community Matters"
Campaign goal of $785,000
Raised $802,464.48

2003

Theme - "United in more than one Way"

2002

Theme - "United in more than one Way"
HRDC funds used to hire a Volunteer Leadership Development Program Coordinator
Train the Trainer, sponsored by United Way of Canada, well attended by Staff and Board members
Procter & Gamble Day of Caring organized by United Way
Opening of Gananoque's 1000 Islands Charity Casino - tremendous support to United Way
Closing of strong United Way supporter, Sanmina SCI, greatly felt
Campaign goal of $675,000
45th Anniversary – November 14, 2002 – Sapphire Anniversary will be celebrated

2001

Theme - "Big Community, Bigger Heart"
Goal $650,000
A-Team developed to assist agencies and to act as a resource to the community
Impact of Sept. 11th terrorist attack affected all aspects of campaign
First Day of Caring held by United Way
'Leave A Legacy' initiative implemented
HRDC funds used to hire a Special Events Coordinator
Youth Volunteer Corps to receive New Initiative Funds
April 27th: Strategic Planning Workshop attended by Staff and Board to develop three to five year plan
Over 150 computers and software donated to agencies courtesy of In-Kind Canada

2000

Theme- "The Spirit of Community"
Objective $600,000
Jan. 7th, 2000: moved to new location at 42 George St.
Property Management Committee secured Trillium Funds to renovate building; 100% rented
HRDC funds used to hire a Business Development coordinator
HRDC funds used to hire a maintenance man
Innovative Technology committee established; computer capabilities in the office greatly improved
Staff attendance at National Conference led to development of new fundraising and allocation ideas.
Writing Proposal Workshop well attended

1999

Theme - "Building Community Together"
Staff turnover led to creation of Accounts Manager position and Community Relations Coordinator position- both twenty hours per week
Allocations to agencies are up $42,400 over last year's allocations
UW Campaign and Administration budget down by $15,200
Five more agencies to be added to the Multi-Year process
Epilepsy Association to receive New Initiative Funds
Withdrawal of Rideau Home Support due to receipt of a bequest which will meet their needs
Campaign 1999: Goal $555,000
First '1st Percent Club' Art Gala held at Fulford Place
Third UW Cookbook: "Good Things Come in Threes!" published
Board approved By-law #1 and adopted it as the General By-law for the United Way of Leeds and Grenville
Quick Books will now generate monthly financial report
After a long search, UW purchased the property at 42 George St. from the VON; $10,000 from the Annie Courtney Fund applied toward the building

1998

Theme- "Building Hope, Building Communities"
Date of Incorporation: October 27, 1998
Ice Storm: UW Executive Council made a motion to donate $25,000 to the United Counties for immediate emergency cash
Leeds & Grenville Rehabilitation and Counselling Services a new amalgamated agency; previously, Brockville Friendship Centre, Family Focus and Phased Housing
Long Range Planning committee established five-year goals based on "Pursuits" identified by Board in June 1997
Executive Directors Seminar focused on Board Development, Volunteer Leadership, Fundraising, Media, and Internet Presentation
Emerald and diamond ring donated by the Jewel Box for the Fashion Show
Brock Telecom donated fifteen 486 computer to L&G Youth Centres co-ordinate by UW Board Member Rick McIntosh
1000 Islands Credit Counselling Service accepted to receive New Initiative Funds
Parke Davis Warner Lambert donated $19,250 to the campaign on leaving Brockville
VON home nursing program to be discontinued
Last UW-L&G Bingo Dec. 13,1998 (yeah!)

1997

Campaign Theme: "Building Caring Communities Together"
40th Anniversary - November 14, 1997
Gananoque & District Association for Community Living and Community Policing Volunteer Services of North Leeds became member agencies
Multiple Sclerosis resigned from the United Way
26 member Agencies
Campaign/Administration costs at 15%
6 more Agencies were added to Multi-Year Funding

1996

Theme: "Take the Challenge!"
Held first Diamond Give-Away Fashion Show
Brockville M.E. Association and Greater Thousand Islands Youth joined United Way
Staff hours were increased to 35 hours per week for Judi Baril and 30 hours per week for Pat Viola
New computer was purchased for office use
Second Cookbook, "Simply Delicious, too!" Hit the bookshelf
Successor funding for amalgamation of agencies was developed
Industrial sector raised $254,000
Corporate reached $97,000
Postal box cost now at $115 per annum
Postage costs were at $4,200
Telephone costs totalled $2,000
$417,000 allotted to 25 member Agencies

1995

Multi-year funding was implemented and 5 agencies were chosen to participate
Theme: "Together We Can!"
Staff received a 2% salary increase
United Way Christmas CD/Cassette produced
Pay What You Pull Tickets first began
New photocopier was purchased
Industrial sector raised $238,000
Corporate raised $95,000
Cardinal Resource Centre closed its office
Campaign/Administration costs were at $70,000
$390,000 allocated to 24 member Agencies

1994

Held first Arts & Craft Show
Valerie Kinds explored the idea of a 'Community Foundation'
Theme: "Over 37 Years Serving Your Community"
Fun With Books, Kemptville Youth, and Friends for Seniors became member Agencies
Monster Bingos began for United Way
Held first Musical Cabaret – 'Riverboat Fantasy' as a fundraiser
United Way office space expanded
Corporate raised $89,000
Industrial raised $186,000
Campaign/Administration costs totalled $67,000

1993

Committee to investigate multi-year funding for United Way Agencies
Theme: "Together We Make a Difference"
First Cookbook 'Simply Delicious' was developed as a fundraiser
Provincial Campaign Chair no longer provided by the Provincial Office
Staff salaries totalled $38,000
Prescott Youth for Life joined United Way
United Way office obtained Nevada locations
$20,000 was available in surplus funds
Industrial section raised $183,000
Corporate raised $86,000

1992

35th Anniversary
Theme: "Together We Make a Difference"
Ontario March of Dimes resigned
Kick-Off Breakfast invitations were personally delivered by volunteers dressed in clown outfits with helium-filled balloons
Admission criteria was adopted and approved
Focus Area document was also developed and approved
Boy Scouts resigned
Campaign/Administration costs were at $59,000

1991

New Initiative funding was created
Campaign theme: "You've Made a Difference"
United Way agency admission criteria was developed
Postage costs were at $3,700, while telephone totalled $600
Campaign/Administration costs were at $51,000
Industrial sector raised $171,000
Special Names raised $43,000
Corporate reached $71,000
22 Member Agencies

1990

Theme: "Make a Difference in your Neighbours' Life"
Board of Directors concept as opposed to Board of Trustees was accepted - made up totally of voluntary selected directors without agency membership - 20 to 25 members
Penalty clause of the Supplementary fundraising policy was developed, approved and accepted at the annual meeting
North Grenville Association for Community Living & Family Counselling were added as member Agencies
Bingo/Nevada sales allowed during campaign period
Supplementary fundraising requests now must be submitted to Executive Director, not the Policy and Procedures committee
Pat Viola was hired as part-time staff for September through March
Executive Director took on role as Campaign Chair - no longer run by a volunteer chair
Ontario Humane Society resigned

1989

Alice Grottoli resigned in July and Judi Baril became the new Executive Director, working 24 hours per week
Campaign theme: "Make a Difference in Your Neighbour's Life"
Linda Billing - Campaign Chair
Held a Pancake Riverfest breakfast
Industrial sector raised $152,000
Corporate raised $51,000
Campaign and Administration costs were at $45,000
21 Agencies were allocated $278,000

1988

Office moved to 187 King Street West, Suite 103
Linda Billing - Campaign Chair
"Drive Us To The Top" was the campaign slogan
Draft policy on Supplementary Fundraising was circulated to all agencies for their input and review
Supplementary Fundraising policy was ratified
Agency Agreement was amended to include the United Counties boundaries of Leeds and Grenville and the stipulation of no Member Agency fundraising activities without written submission to the Policy and Procedures committee and written approval of the Association
First Coffee Day was held
Industrial sector raised $144,000
Corporate sector reached $42,000

1987

Marianne Bimm acted as Executive Secretary while Alice was on maternity leave
Cardinal & District Resource Centre became an agency
B. Stuart - Campaign Chair
Policy and Procedures Committee was established for Supplementary fundraising
Supplemental fundraising was being complicated by provincial associations of local agencies undertaking mail campaigns
Balloon release - official campaign Kick-Off
Postage totalled $900 and telephone costs were at $500
Campaign/Administration costs totalled $43,000
$260,000 allotted to member Agencies

1986

Josephine Manneck resigned and Alice Grottoli accepted position as Executive Secretary, working 20 hours per week
Kemptville and District Community Assistance, and Interval House Centre became member Agencies
United Way office was computerized and $15,000 was allotted for this process
Meeting held with group proposing to establish a United Way in Lanark
No overall Campaign Chair
Industrial sector raised $146,000
Corporate raised $34,000
United Way expenses totalled $40,000
$220,000 was allocated to 22 member Agencies

1985

On-site Campaign analysis by United Way of Ontario brought forth many recommendations:
- First mail drop in both counties - raised $6,000
- Task Force formed to review Supplemental funding, size and make-up of Board of Trustees, appeal system for Allocations and guidelines on admitting new agencies
Dave Fitzpatrick - Campaign Chair
"People Helping People" was the slogan used
Family Focus and St. John Ambulance-Prescott became agencies
United Way became involved with Trillium Foundation re: Emergency Fund (matches 1 to 1) and Community Fund (matches 2 to 1)
20 member Agencies
Corporate sector raised $35,000
Industrial raised $142,000
Campaign and Administration costs 10%

1984

Lennox Craig retired after 10 years and Josephine Manneck occupied Executive Secretary position
Art Rouse - Campaign Chair
Salary increased 6%
Office answering machine was purchased at a cost of $200
First real presence of United Way in Gananoque
$35,000 more received from Annie Courtney Estate
Allocated over $60,000 to Agencies on a one-time basis that year due to build up in Reserve Fund
$190,000 distributed to Agencies
Ralph A. Butt was made Honorary Trustee

1983

T. Bargiello - Campaign Chair
Volunteer Bureau became a member agency
Received payment of $75,000 from Annie Courtney Estate
$50,000 was set aside for the Emergency Reserve Fund
18 Agencies under the United Way umbrella
Emergency Reserve fund of $80,000 invested in guaranteed term deposits
Industrial sector raised $91,000
Corporate raised $31,000
$175,000 was distributed to member Agencies

1982

John Doran - Campaign Chair
United Way campaign thermometers were erected at Brockville & Prescott City/Town Halls
CFJR conducted Agency interviews during mid-October
YM-YWCA re-admitted but United Way funding only for: Keenager Fitness for Seniors, pre-school nursery subsidizing, social service/welfare referrals and selected programs for youth in need
Reserve Fund grew to $80,000 through bequests
Office rent increased to $75 per month
Campaign/Administration costs totalled $28,000
Industrial sector raised $88,000
Special Names totalled $24,000
Corporate section raised $27,000
$177,000 was distributed to 18 Agencies

1981

YM-YWCA asked to be re-admitted as an agency
Cameron Coville - Campaign Chair
Audio-visual publicity program was developed
Reserve Fund of $26,000
Executive Secretary salary increased 10% in accordance with the United Way of Canada 1979 Salary Survey
Industrial sector raised $90,000
$170,000 was distributed between the Agencies

1980

Executive Secretary salary increased to $9,000
Don Courley - Campaign Chair
United Way expenses climbed to $24,000
Had a 'United Way Radio Jingle'
All Agencies were interviewed on CFJR' morning program
Big Sisters recommended as a member Agency
Reserve Fund of $16,000
Surplus Funds were available and the Agencies could apply for 25% of their 1979 allotment
$153,000 was distributed to member Agencies

1979

K. Gelok - Campaign Chair
17 Agencies now included in the United Way
YM-YWCA resigned from United Way
The Constitution was amended to clearly state that the United Way does not fund capital expenditures, only operating expenses
United Way costs reached $17,000 for campaign and administration
$26,000 in surplus was available to the agencies
Industrial sector raised $81,000
Corporate sector collected $21,000
Special Names campaign raised $17,000

1978

United Way of Ontario was formed
J. Cameron - Campaign Chair
Kick-Off breakfast was held at the Skyline Hotel
Town of Prescott was canvassed for the first time as the Grenville Advisory Board of the CNIB became a member agency
Agencies receiving $10,000 or more were required to submit quarterly financial statements for review by the Budget Committee as set out in the Agency Membership Agreement
Industrial sector reached $73,000
Over $4,000 was spent on publicity
$119,000 was distributed to member Agencies

1977

Brockville Friendship Centre became a member agency
M. P. Mapplebeck - Campaign Chair
Campaign expanded into ?new hinterlands? - Gananoque and Kemptville
New advertising feature was tried - case histories depicting special instances of some of the agencies helping the community – "The Way It Works"
Two thermometers were used during campaign - one at city hall and the other at the Skyline Hotel
First exposure to Cable 10 television
Industrial sector raised $66,000
Corporate raised $17,000
$9,500 was distributed in surplus funds
$107,000 was distributed to 15 member Agencies

1976

Jack Lee - Campaign Chair
Big Brothers Association became a member agency
Salary of Executive Secretary was increased to $6,000
Campaign extended the boundaries upon approval of the Agencies. Due to lack of agency interest, campaign only included Athens
Campaign/Administration costs were at $12,000
$94,000 allocated to member Agencies

1975

George Pederson - Campaign Chair
New name "United Way of Leeds and Grenville" was approved with its head office in Brockville - this was done at a special public meeting as per the Constitution
Helping Hand symbol adopted as United Way official insignia
Industrial sector raised $50,000
Special Names raised $14,000
Corporate sector raised $13,000
Campaign/Administration costs were $11,000

1974

Lennox Craig became Executive Secretary
B. Mason - Campaign Chair
Permanent office space was found at 80 Charles Street at $50 per month
Executive Secretary salary was $4,800 a year, with $750 allowance for an office
Two committees were formed:
- Budget & Admissions - to review Agency budget submissions and to recommend the United Way's budget
- Agency Development - to explore the possibility of expanding the United Way's boundaries beyond Brockville and to consider a name change for the Association
United Way boundaries were extended: Mallorytown to the west, Johnstown to the east and Athens and Lyn to the north
A new name was discussed
$75,000 allocated to member Agencies

1973

Theme: "Thanks to You It's Working the United Way"
P. Perry - Campaign Chair
One-month campaign raised $80,000
Special Names raised $12,000
Industrial Sector raised $40,000 (GTE Automatic $10,600; Phillips Cables $5,600)
Audit costs $450
Annual meeting was held at the YM-YWCA building
$76,650 allotted to member Agencies

1972

Brockville & District Association for the Mentally Retarded was accepted as a member agency
W. J. Herriot - Campaign Chair
Campaign slogan: "Thanks to you its Working"
First use of stamped return envelopes
Campaign/Administration costs totalled $7,500
Industrial sector raised $35,000 which included: Black & Decker $7,200; Dupont $4,300; Recorder & Times $650; Parke-Davis $1,700;
$74,000 distributed to 14 Agencies

1971

Ruth Rogers became new Executive Secretary; her salary was just over $3,000
David Moore - Campaign Chair
Postal box was first obtained at a cost of $10 per annum
On October 2nd, Walk-a-Thon helped to reach the campaign objective - $2,800 was raised with this special event
Campaign/Administration costs totalled $7,200
$66,500 allocated to 13 Agencies

1970

Campaign theme: "If you don't do it - it won't get done"
Ralph Butt - Campaign Chair
Anna Remmer took over as Acting Executive Secretary
Payroll deduction was introduced by the Ontario Government for employees
United Flame Appeal - Brockville Gas set up and donated the gas for the month for the lighting of a flame at Courthouse Square
Students at St. Lawrence College built a Trojan Horse to kick off their campaign
Public and separate school boards implemented the mechanics for payroll deduction
Industry raised $35,000
No door to door canvass

1969

Executive Secretary Eric Brink resigned at the end of December
Marson Smith - Campaign Chair
Campaign/Administration costs were at $5,500
Telephone costs totalled $132 and postage costs were at $260
Brockville Psychiatric Hospital raised $220
Special Names raised $7,500
Industry raised $27,000
$4,200 was written off on uncollected pledges
$64,000 was distributed to 13 member Agencies

1968

Brockville Safety Council and Canadian Arthritis and Rheumatism Society came on board as Agencies
Industrial sector achieved $26,000
$12,000 in the Emergency Reserve Fund
$4,200 was written off on uncollected pledges
$68,000 was allocated to 13 Agencies

1967

Howard Webster - Campaign Chair
First year an Emergency Reserve Fund was established for unexpended surplus funds
Typewriter was purchased for $182
$2,300 in pledges were written off
Industrial sector reached $32,000
General canvass totalled $4,300
$56,000 was allocated to 11 Agencies

1966

Howard Webster/Don Caldwell - Campaign Co-Chairs
Campaign objective was decreased because Children's Aid Society received an increase in government aid
Campaign goal went over the top
First year Multiple Sclerosis received funding of $1,000
General canvass raised $5,900
Each Agency was charged with canvassing an area equal to its percentage of the budget
At the annual meeting, a proposal was made to study the Constitution and Agencies Agreement to permit the Association to establish a Reserve Fund - The Agency Agreement stated the surplus funds were to be distributed among the Agencies proportionately to their allotment
$54,000 was allotted to the Agencies

1965

Donald Armstrong - Campaign Chair
General canvass raised $6,100
Districts were re-organized
Campaign objective was successfully met
A. E. (Tommy) Thompson died in June and J. Eric Brink was appointed Executive Secretary
Surplus at the end of the year
$61,000 was allocated to Member Agencies

1964

Stewart Beatty - Campaign Chair
General canvass raised $6,200 in the last two weeks of October
Third year in a row that Black & Decker was the first to pass its target goal
185 employees pledged $1,940
Short $4,000 of campaign goal
Board of Trustees consisted of 15 elected members representing donors, 6 represented the Brockville Labour Council and 1 represented each Agency
Cost of a newspaper was 8 cents
Campaign expenses totalled $3,000
Annual meeting held at the Brockville Public Library

1963

John Henderson - Campaign Chair
Section 12 of the Agreement with Agencies
The campaign shall be conducted only in the municipal limits of Brockville - was deleted to allow canvassing of employees at plants outside the municipal limits of Brockville.
Agencies were expected to submit three financial reports over the course of the year showing receipts and expenditures
One night Blitz night was discontinued
Door to door canvass for 10 days - October 14 to 24 was tried
Brochure (names of agencies with addresses) was introduced
General canvass raised $6,600
Special Names raised $6,500
Corporate sector raised $8,000
Dupont raised $4,900
$3,500 short of campaign goal
Member agencies took a 5% reduction

1962

George Fulford III - Campaign Chair
General canvass raised $7,100
Only half of the goal was raised by the end of October
$6,000 short at close of the campaign
Member agencies took a 10% reduction
Now necessary to charge $140 for the annual audit, which had been previously free of charge

1961

Campaign began mid-September and was completed at the end of October
E. R. O'Kelly - Campaign Chairman
St. John Ambulance Brockville became the eleventh member agency
Black & Decker - first to complete employee canvass
Blitz Night raised $8,900
$6,000 short of objective
Member agencies agreed to a 10% reduction

1960

Canadian Mental Health Association joined United Way - now 10 member agencies
Alex Higginson - Campaign Chairman
Live broadcast from the Manitonna Hotel – 'the nerve centre' of Blitz night raised $8,500
$7,000 short of objective
Executive Secretary salary at $2,400
Telephone costs climbed to $112
Advertising costs were at $1,200
Annual meeting Wednesday, November 16 at the Memorial Civic Centre

1959

Official campaign started on Monday September 28
Campaign Chairman George Shannon kicked off campaign by signing his personal pledge at his Parke-Davis office
Nine agencies still on board
Campaign expenses - $2,200
Telephone costs were $12.00 and postage was $35.00
Recorder & Times was the first industry to turn in its completed canvass for the second year in a row. The employees pledged $525
September 21 - September 22 : Ruby Drew, Bill Watson and Art Moore
October 22, called 'B' Night - personal appeals to citizens in their homes on this one night blitz
Again this year the Flying Squad answered calls during the night to ensure that anyone who was missed during the Blitz was covered.
Annual meeting Monday, November 23 in the Council Chamber at Victoria Hall

1958

Campaign September 29 to October 18
Theme: Give As You Are Able
C.R. Hughes/J. Richardson Phillips - Co-Chairs of the Campaign
Miss Mary MacDonald was the Big Feather Girl
"U-Day" first day of campaign
Big Feather thermometer was in front of Brockville town hall
Bill Watson at the Recorder & Times completed employee campaign in one day
October 16th one night -Big Blitz Night House to house canvass that covered every house and apartment in Brockville by 500 volunteers added $10,677 to the campaign under the direction of 70 captains
Blitz head quarters was the Manitonna Hotel with telephone receivers at tables all around the ballroom, the returns were processed and tabulated within minutes at the end of the canvassing that night
Alan Morgan took charge of the tabulations
Extended campaign one week with $10,000 still to raise

1957

United Appeal Association of Brockville began
Big Red Feather insignia was the official symbol of the United Appeal
Campaign objective of $70,000 was set at a dinner meeting in the cafeteria of Phillips Electrical Company Limited
J. Richardson Phillips was the first Campaign Chairman
9 member organizations requested $62,000
CNIB - $9,800; Canadian Red Cross -$12,200; Children's Aid Society - $9,500; VON $7,750; YM/YWCA - $12,900; Boy Scouts - $750; Polio - $6,000; SPCA - $ 2,000; School for Retarded Children - $1,200
Campaign opened November 4 and closed November 23 - lasted 20 days
Executive Secretary A. E. (Tommy) Thompson managed the campaign from his office at Victoria Hall
3 general divisions - Special Names/payroll deduction/public canvass
Campaign expenses were $1,000
Raised $70,290 during campaign, surpassing the goal
November 14, 1957 - Constitution was adopted
Annual meeting held December 11 at the Memorial Civic Centre
First honorary membership was bestowed upon Judge D. E. Lewis for his outstanding commitment to the Appeal