1 November 2006
CP Employees Raise More Than $15,000 with United Way Barbecue
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Don Osachoff (left) and Frank Bafaro, both CP employees, dig
into burgers in support of the United Way of North Okanagan Columbia Shuswap annual campaign. Golden CP employees have raised more
than $15,000.
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Golden British Columbia - Canadian Pacific Railway heated
up their annual United Way campaign last week, with a three-day barbecue for all employees to enjoy. The grill was hot 24
hours a day, from Wednesday through Friday, cooking up burgers and sausages - all for a good cause.
Linda Yule, executive director for United Way of North Okanagan Columbia Shuswap says employees were given the opportunity to make a
donation while they waited for their grilled meal. She says this year CP's campaign total is bigger than she expected.
"These guys are up more than 38 percent over last year - which is incredible," she exclaims. "We have another campaign
in Vernon which is up 166 percent. These numbers show people are feeling good about their jobs, feeling comfortable and want to make
a difference in their community."
Each employee is able to choose the amount of their donation, which is deducted from each of their pay cheques. The minimum donation
is $2 - although Yule says a one-time contribution is welcome, too. This year's biggest donor at CP in Golden is $65 per
pay cheque.
Don Osachoff CP engineer and United Way co-ordinator for CP in Revelstoke says the barbecue runs full-tilt
for three days to ensure every employee on every shift has the opportunity to enjoy it, and make a contribution to the campaign.
"We're over $15,500 here in Golden now," Yule says. "That is just from them signing up for payroll deductions. CP is
going to match 50 cents for every dollar raised... That's huge. Last year their corporate donation was $11,000; so this year it's
going to be incredible."
Unless specified otherwise by the donor, all money raised in Golden, stays in Golden. Yule says the Golden Food Bank Society is the
only agency in town that formally applies for United Way funding.
However, CP employees can specify which agency or program they want their contribution to support.
"They can choose any charity that is near and dear to their heart," Yule says. "The only time the money doesn't stay
here is if someone specifies they would like it to go somewhere other than Golden."
Currently, CP is the only business in town raising funds for the annual campaign. Yule says not every CP location is involved, either.
She says here in Golden, they decided about eight years ago to set up the barbecue in one of the rail cars. The idea just worked so
well, they've stuck with it.
This year's United Way of Okanagan Columbia Shuswap campaign goal is $250,000.
"Last year we had a goal of $250,000 and we reached $225,000," Yule explains. "I think we are going to hit our goal
this year; just by looking at the increase in campaigns throughout the region."
She says one thing many may not realize is that the funding is available to agencies and programs in the community - they just need to
go through the application process.
The United Way of Okanagan Columbia Shuswap supports 27 agencies and 31 programs. Yule says they try to ensure service to children,
youth, seniors and those with disabilities. They try to look at the full society when making allocations.
"We have had a tremendous response from the workers - more than we have ever expected," Osachoff says. "We are also
enjoying that we have been able to give the employees a direct feeling of well-being when they make their contribution,
by giving them a T shirt or a hooded sweatshirt. This way, they are enjoying the contribution they are making right from the
get-go."
The campaign wraps up on 31 Dec 2006.
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