Category: News, Updates & Events

Funding for Two New Programs

United Way of Haldimand and Norfolk Announces Funding for Two New Programs

We are proud to announce that we will be funding two new programs in 2019. United Way funding decisions are community driven and community focused. Each year a group of local volunteers representing various sectors in Haldimand and Norfolk form the Allocations Committee. Using their knowledge and first-hand experience, they allocate funds to the programs they feel will meet the most urgent needs of Haldimand and Norfolk residents.

The two new United Way funded programs are as follows:

Taylor the Turtle: My Body Belongs to Me

A seven-module body rights program for primary grade aged children that encourages the strengthening of protective factors such as emotional literacy, resiliency, self-confidence, expression abilities, and body awareness.

Path to Possibilities

Residents of Trillium Manor, a supportive rent geared-to-income home for individuals living with mental illness, learn skills to live independently. These skills include budgeting, healthy eating, grocery shopping, critical thinking, empathy, self-awareness, problem solving, communication, stress management and interpersonal relationship building.

We wish to extend a thank you to the following volunteers that made up this year’s Allocations Committee. Most of whom braved a winter storm to attend a meeting.

  • Adam Veri
  • Alison High
  • Anonymous
  • Ed Sanchuk
  • Gary Nelson
  • Haley McIntosh
  • Janice Warrell
  • Louis Brzozowski
  • Melanie Atkins
  • Scott Buchanan
  • Taylor Vanhooren

In total United Way of Haldimand and Norfolk will be supporting 15 programs throughout Haldimand and Norfolk serving 12,500+ individuals in need right here at home. The programs that continued to receive funding again in 2019 are:

  • Adult Literacy and Basic Skills Training
  • Basic Job Readiness Training
  • Club T.R.U.E. (Together, Recreation, Understanding & Enjoyment)
  • Youth Mentorship Program
  • CYPRES 55+
  • Family Services Counselling Program
  • Parenting After Separation/Divorce
  • Peer and Home-Based Vision Support
  • Settlement Services
  • Volunteer Services

Port Dover Christmas Pub Crawl Raises $3002 for United Way

Port Dover Christmas Pub Crawl Raises $3002 for United Way of Haldimand and Norfolk

Organizer Louie Brzozowski and United Way of Haldimand and Norfolk’s Board President,
Scott Buchanan

The annual Port Dover Christmas/Charity Pub Crawl is becoming more successful with each passing year.

This year’s event supported United Way of Haldimand and Norfolk, bringing in a grand total of $3002.55. The money was raised in less than 7 hours with two teams competing to see who could raise the most funds. The women’s team “Babes” competed with the men’s team “Boys” with the women’s team coming out on top raising almost double the amount of the men’s team.

This was a fun event with approximately 45 minutes at each stop which started at The Beach House and then on to the Fisherman’s Catch, The Terrace Room, Southside Louie’s, The Brig at the Norfolk Tavern, and Two Eleven Main.

United Way of Haldimand and Norfolk were very grateful to have been chosen as the recipient this year. Many thanks to the event organizer Louie Brzozowski and for all participants and participating pubs. When community gets involved, everyone wins. 😊

Change 4 Change Campaign

Our first ever… 

United Way of Haldimand and Norfolk is pleased to announce the results of their first ever Change 4 Change campaign. In the month of November, five local restaurants donated $1 from every sale of their feature item to United Way’s Change 4 Change campaign. In its very first year, Change 4 Change raised $900 to help our community. Participating restaurants included Domino’s Pizza Simcoe, Ferrera, Kaley’s Restaurant, The Barrel, and The Blue Elephant. The premise of the Change 4 Change campaign is that the donation of your change (or $1) is enough to create positive change in our community because every dollar makes a difference.

“This was our first year running Change 4 Change and I’m really pleased with the results,” stated Brittany Burley, Executive Director of United Way of Haldimand and Norfolk. “We are grateful to the restaurants that we had on board from Simcoe and hope to be able to expand Change 4 Change across the rest of Norfolk and Haldimand Counties in 2019. We heard great feedback from this year’s participants and plan to implement that feedback to make next year’s Change 4 Change campaign even better. Most importantly, I’d like to extend a big thank you to The Blue Elephant, The Barrel, Kaley’s Restaurant, Ferrera, Domino’s Pizza Simcoe, and all of the customers who made the decision to support us through their purchases.”

Every dollar provides opportunities to improve lives and build healthy communities. For anyone interested in making a donation to support United Way of Haldimand and Norfolk, please contact United Way at 519-426-5660, in person at 23 Argyle Street in Simcoe, or online at www.unitedwayhn.on.ca. If you are a restaurant interested in participating in Change 4 Change next year, please notify United Way.

  • The Blue Elephant's Heather Pond and Judy Tomczak Communications Assistant of United Way of Haldimand and Norfolk

Contact: Brittany Burley, Executive Director
United Way of Haldimand and Norfolk
Phone: 519-426-5660 Email: [email protected]

Annual Fashion Show 2018

FASHION for a GOOD CAUSE 

We had a blast at our annual Fashion Show at The Coach Pyramids, 250 Argyle Street North, Caledonia on September 20th at 6:30 p.m.

To watch the video see our facebook page.

Sometimes raising money is just plain fun! On September 20th we had our annual fashion show at The Coach Pyramids in Caledonia and we shopped for a good cause. Fun, fashion, wine tasting, door prizes and shopping for a good cause.

Thank you to all those who participated in this event.

Brittany Burley
Yvonne Holloway
Carol MacFarlane
Robyn Robinson
Janice Smith
Judy Tomczak
Ron Tomczak

Local Vendors:
Avon
Dr. W. Janushewski Family Dentistry
Jensen’s Cheese
Koncir Automotive
Mary Kay Cosmetics – Kim Odorjan
Regional Auto Glass
Shoppers Drugmart
Speedy Glass
The Apple Place
The Blue Elephant
The Brick
The Burning Kiln Winery
The Coach Pyramids
The Crepe House in Port Dover

Jail and Bail 2018

Jail & Bail 2018

Click here to watch our Jail & Bail Video on Facebook!

It was a fun day for everyone!

On September 12, we hosted our second annual Jail & Bail event in Simcoe and Cayuga. The day was full of fun, creative crimes and lots of bail money raised for a good cause. Some of our criminals received bribes from coworkers to stay in jail long after their bail had been reached. What a great opportunity to have some fun with your coworkers! With the help of our willing jailbirds and those who posted their bail and bribes we were able to raise over $11,000.

A special thanks goes to the following donors: McDonald’s (Simcoe), and Tim Hortons (Cayuga) for coffee, Domino’s Pizza (Simcoe) for pizza, Shelly’s Family Dining & Catering (Cayuga) for cake, OPP Haldimand & Norfolk for their time and fingerprinting skills, Norfolk County Fair & Horse Show (jail cell – Norfolk), Touch of Haven (jail cell – Haldimand), Community Addiction and Mental Health Services of Haldimand and Norfolk (Photos & Presentation), Adam Veri (Logo design), Foodland Cayuga (use of their parking lot), and Turkstra Lumber Simcoe (tent).

We are in the News!

United Way of Haldimand and Norfolk is in the News:

 Check out your local newspaper (Simcoe Reformer, Port Dover Maple Leaf and Haldimand Press) to see our ad expressing our thanks to those who helped to make 2017 a success. Thank you for helping us make a difference in the Haldimand and Norfolk communities.

Stuff the Bus

We are still looking for volunteer Jail Birds for our Jail & Bail event and this is the last weekend for our Stuff the Bus school supplies drive. Donate at our locations: Superstore (Simcoe), Zehrs (Caledonia), Giant Tiger (Hagersville & Dunnville).

Look for the yellow bus.

Day of Caring – August 16, 2018

Day of Caring

United Way of Haldimand and Norfolk’s Day of Caring with Libro Credit Union

August 16, 2018

Our Day of Caring event on August 16th at the Haldimand Abilities Centre in partnership with Libro Credit Union was a great success. Volunteers worked hard to beautify the sensory garden. After a full morning of weed pulling, hedge trimming, painting picnic tables, and more, the change was impressive. The sensory garden supports the needs of people with dementia, vision loss and brain injury. It has great therapeutic and educational benefits and is helpful for dealing with disabilities that affect sensory responses. They also grow their own vegetables and herbs that they use in meals for their clients.

Check out our “Day of Caring” information page to see how your organization can get involved.

Stuff the Bus

United Way of Haldimand and Norfolk’s First- Stuff the Bus Drive

Help Local Kids Succeed in School

We are hosting our first “Stuff the Bus” school supply drive, to collect new school materials for low-income students in our community. The drive will run from August 18 to September 1, 2018. Look for our donation bins in our partner stores: Superstore (Simcoe), Zehrs (Caledonia) and Giant Tiger (Hagersville and Dunnville). Community members are encouraged to donate new school supplies from a provided “wish list”.

New school supplies can boost a child’s self-esteem, providing the ability to start school more compelled to learn, says Brittany Burley, Executive Director of United Way of Haldimand and Norfolk. Our goal is that every child in Haldimand and Norfolk, regardless of family income, has all the supplies they need to succeed.

Continue reading “Stuff the Bus”

Conscious Kindness Day – May 16

Conscious Kindness Day – May 16

Conscious Kindness Day
Conscious Kindness Day

United Way’s National Conscious Kindness Day is coming up on May 16, 2018.  On this day, we invite you to help spread a culture of kindness in your community!

Be part of United Way’s Conscious Kindness Day by planning some treats for your staff, customers, or constituents!  It’s an easy way to get your workplace or organization working together for a better community. Spread the #locallove on May 16th.

Please read the following letter and poster to get more information on how you can participate in Conscious Kindness Day:

Conscious Kindness Letter – 2018

Conscious Kindness Poster – 2018

We Want You! New Board Member Needed

Are you the one we are looking for?

Do you believe in building strong communities?  Do you think kids should have the opportunity to grow up to be all that they can be?  Would you like to create possibilities for people in Haldimand and Norfolk living in poverty?  If so, then United Way of Haldimand and Norfolk needs you!

We are currently recruiting Board Members with a strong interest in creating positive change in our communities.  Board members make a commitment to a two year term.  Please note, this is an unpaid volunteer position.

Volunteer Position:  Board Member

Job Summary:   The Board Member participates in the policy making, planning, goal setting and evaluation activities relating to all aspects of the United Way of Haldimand and Norfolk, while adequately representing the interests of the community at large. The Board member assumes legal and moral accountability for all activities of the United Way and participates on Board Committees as required.  This position reports to the United Way Board of Directors.

Roles & Responsibilities:

  • Supports the values and mission of the United Way.
  • Makes a personal commitment to the United Way of time, effort and financial support to the best of their ability.
  • Attends all Board of Directors meetings.
  • Prepares for Board decision-making meetings by reviewing all relevant materials prior to each board meeting.
  • Participates in Board training and orientation programs.
  • Maintains a current knowledge of United Way policy in all areas.
  • Participates on the Board of Directors in accordance with the by-laws of the United Way.
  • Participates in the development of long term and short term United Way goals and objectives.
  • Represents the United Way and acts as an ambassador for UW at public events.
  • Attends as many of the United Way’s special events as possible.
  • Ensures that community interests are adequately represented and/or considered prior to decisions being made by the Board of Directors.
  • Actively promotes the United Way objectives on a year round basis.

 

Conflict of Interest:  Board Members must take great care to avoid potential conflict of interest situations. Where it exists, the director is advised to declare such conflict and to avoid participating in any discussion or voting on the issue.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Demonstrated interest in the United Way goals and objectives.
  • Genuine concern for people and the wellbeing of the community.
  • Specific experience, knowledge and/or interest in at least one of the following areas:
    • General Administration.
    • Finance.
    • Resource Development.
    • Community Problem Solving.
    • Organized Labour Unions.
    • Public Relations/Communications or Agency Relations.
  • Works or lives in Haldimand County or Norfolk County.
  • Willingness and availability to participate on the Board of Directors and various committees.


Applicants are welcomed from all age groups. We are particularly interested in individuals with the following skills: accounting, public relations, marketing, revenue generation, and community development. Previous non-profit work or governance experience is an asset.

 

If you want to make a difference by joining United Way as our newest Board Member, please submit your resume and cover letter to the organization’s Executive Director at: [email protected] by March 16, 2018.