Porcupine United Way is very pleased to announce the Co-Chairs and Cabinet for the 2009 Annual Giving Campaign:

Co-Chairs:   Des Walsh and Kevin Wallingford

Cabinet:       Kristin Straub, Mark Callaghan, Terri Scott, Pamela Laplante, Fern Tremblay, Erin Howe, Jay Cranney (Chapleau)

In his address to the over 90 community representatives in attendance at the Kick-Off Breakfast, Des states: Albert Einstein once said, “It is every person’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he or she takes from it.”  This will be the theme of my comments – to ask each of you to think of what you have received from our communities and our collective obligation to give back.

I would like to state how honoured I was to be asked to co-chair the 2009 Porcupine United Way campaign along with Kevin Wallingford; I agreed to do so for several reasons.  First, the Porcupine United Way has an ongoing commitment to address community concerns.  They are dedicated to strengthening the long-term economic, educational, social, and cultural health of our communities.

Second, I have a personal motivation – one in which I strongly believe in and live by in my profession.  My organization, the Timmins Police Service, believes in partnerships as a way of doing business.  When I was appointed Deputy Chief in 2004 I, along with my boss – Chief Richard Laperriere – adopted the principle of forging partnerships with community agencies, groups and citizens to deliver policing services in a collaborative way in order to make our community a safer place in which to live.  Its working – collectively, the agencies and people who work in partnership with us have made Timmins one of the most desirable communities in the country in which to live, thanks to our low crime rate – all thanks to the idea of pulling together for success.

I can’t think of a more pure example of “partnerships” than the United Way.  Our local United Way’s thirteen member agencies partner together and have a tremendous impact in the lives of so many persons.  I have seen the United Way organizations working together to do what matters – responding to those in need.  What better way for me personally to fulfil my obligation to the community than to be a part of the leadership team for the Porcupine United Way.

Community issues require community response.  Today, human need, corporate interest, and donor aspirations don’t remain within our communities’ borders.  They cross our borders.  Human need has never been more compelling.  Our community’s needs have never been more compelling.

Another quote that I came across was from an equally famous man – Sir Winston Churchill.  He stated, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”  In northern Ontario, we are truly fortunate to live in an environment of relative prosperity, given the economic climate of late.  The majority of us do make a good living – but there are those within our communities who are less fortunate and rely on our member agencies to lend support.  How many of us can invest in the United Way, in our communities, to make a life by giving?  I know that I can, and that is why I am here today. 

I said a moment ago that I believe in partnerships.  I want to challenge all of you this year to become an active United Way partner in making our communities even better places to live.  I know that many people are already involved and contributing in so many ways.  But we can all do more.  We can increase our involvement with the United Way.  We can increase our contributions.  Together, in partnership, we can reach our goal.  The effort and investment we put forth today will make a difference in how we live, how our neighbours live, and how our children live tomorrow.

The United Way is different because of the diversity of its relationships.  The United Way is community oriented, not special interest oriented.  The United Way is about local, grassroots leadership developing local infrastructure to best determine local need that then ties together into something powerful.  A shining example of a “partnership”.

I will conclude by making another quote – this one I came up with myself, although I can’t begin to compare with Einstein and Churchill!  Let me state this – “If you always give, you will always have” – I truly believe this and I ask you to partner with us in the spirit of giving –in the spirit of forging partnerships – to give to the United Way in our communities to support programs that provide real solutions to real needs.