Employees' Charitable Campaign Supports Ottawa and Gatineau Residents Following the Storm

OTTAWA, Oct. 2, 2018 /CNW/ - Through Canada's largest charitable campaign, public servants come together every year to make a difference to those in need in communities across Canada.  

Last year, Canada's public servants donated $29.9 million to more than 5,600 charities in over 90 communities to change lives for the better through the employees' Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC). Through the employees' Campaign, public servants can support the United Way / Centraide, HealthPartners as well as any registered Canadian charity.

"I am truly humbled when I see the dedication and generosity of public servants and what they accomplish through their Campaign," said Philip Jennings, 2018 National Chair, GCWCC and Associate Deputy Minister, Natural Resources Canada. "The employees' Charitable Campaign is an extension of what we do as public servants. As our national slogan says: It's what we do - improve the lives of Canadians."

In response to the devastating storms of September 21 in the National Capital Region, employees can now also give to two funds dedicated to support the short and long-terms needs of those affected. The United Way Ottawa and Centraide Outaouais have come together with organizations within the region to provide housing, counselling, food aid, and household goods to those impacted by the storms. 

"When I see my colleagues across the public service wanting to help their friends and neighbours get back on their feet after the devastation of the recent tornado, I am reminded of how a little bit of good goes a long way. I am proud that our GCWCC donations mean we are making a difference in our communities when it matters most" Kelly Gillis, 2018 National Co-Chair GCWCC and Deputy Minister, Infrastructure Canada.

"This Campaign is about supporting our local communities across Canada," said Nyiri DuCharme 2018 GCWCC National Youth Co-Chair.  "Together, small steps make a big difference for our families, friends, colleagues, and neighbours in need, and I am proud that public servants are sending the message that we give, that we care, and that it matters."

About UWCC and the UWC Movement
Since 1919, the United Way Centraide (UWC) Movement has been dedicated to creating opportunities for a better life for all Canadians. United Way Centraide Canada (UWCC) provides national leadership to the Movement and supports a federated network of local United Ways and Centraides who serve more than 5,000 communities across the country. Each UWC is a member of UWCC, and registered as its own nonprofit organization, governed by a volunteer-led, local board of directors. Together we are the United Way Centraide Movement working to create sustainable solutions to the social issues faced by local communities across Canada.

About HealthPartners:
HealthPartners is a unique collaboration of 16 national health charities working together to transform the health of Canadians. 87% of Canadians are likely to be personally affected by a major illness like cancer, heart disease or diabetes in their lifetime. For 30 years, HealthPartners and its charitable partners have been working to reduce the incidence of chronic disease, improve the health of employees and connect employees in workplace with the health causes that matter most.   Our charitable partners provide more than 1200 programs in communities across Canada, invest in life-saving research and provide much-needed support to Canadians and their families facing major illness or chronic disease.

For more information, please visit www.canada.ca/charitable-campaign and follow us on Twitter: @PSGives_SPDonne.

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada