Federal Employees And Retirees Raise $20.1 Million To Date To Support Their Communities

On November 28 at the Canadian Museum of Nature, hundreds of federal employees and retirees celebrated the success to date of this year’s Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC), which raised $20.1 million in the National Capital Region. Thanks to these generous contributions, thousands of people in the National Capital Region will continue to have access to a variety of charitable services, such as food banks, emergency shelters, health care groups, addictions counselling and other supports in the community.

“Tonight, we recognize the incredible accomplishments of federal employees and retirees in this campaign,” said Daniel Jean, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Chair of the 2013 GCWCC. “Federal employees and retirees have all shown tremendous dedication and spirit and I offer my sincere thanks for your extraordinary efforts.”

Throughout the campaign, federal employees and retirees organized a wide range of fundraising activities, including rock concerts, an amazing race, golf tournaments, fundraiser breakfasts and walk-runs. They also participated in “Seeing is Believing” tours, where they learned first-hand about the work of community agencies in our region and the results achieved through donations to the GCWCC.

“Although many organizations have wrapped up their campaign, there are still events underway and many will continue into the New Year,” Jean said.  “I encourage those who have not yet donated to make a contribution today, as our communities are counting on us.”

A number of Government of Canada departments, agencies and individuals were recognized at the GCWCC Achievement Celebration for their exemplary contributions to the campaign.  This year, the Chair’s Cup for Campaign Excellence was awarded to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for the department’s outstanding results not only in terms of dollars raised, but also participation rates, creativity and enthusiasm. In addition, Jean presented the Mitchell Sharp Award to Myra Conway, Caregiver; and Volunteer with the Alzheimer Society of Ottawa and Renfrew County, for her extraordinary contribution to the community. The Mitchell Sharp Award for Meritorious Service was established in memory of the late Honourable Mitchell Sharp and his legendary public service career and contributions as a community leader.

The GCWCC is the largest workplace campaign in the National Capital Region and the greatest local workplace contributor to United Way Ottawa, Centraide Outaouais and Healthpartners.

The GCWCC is managed by United Way Ottawa on behalf of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. The campaign is the largest workplace charitable campaign in Canada and benefits United Ways across Canada, Healthpartners and more than 80,000 registered Canadian charities.

For more information, visit www.gcwcc.org and follow GCWCC on Twitter: @GC_GivingBack (French: @GC_Entraide).