United Way of Regina¡¯s Circle of Care Campaign Achievement

A new record - $4,016,230

¡°It is with great pride that I can announce today that we have met and exceeded our campaign goal for 2010 with a total achievement of $4,016,230,¡± announced Michael Redenbach, Chair of this year¡¯s campaign.

The official announcement was made at the Annual Circle of Care Spirit Awards Celebration Luncheon in front of over 450 people. The Spirit Awards celebrates excellence in the over 400 United Way workplace campaigns and recognizes the outstanding efforts made by our volunteers.

¡°I am truly taken aback by the generosity and commitment of the people of Regina. The willingness to come together in common cause and purpose to achieve yet another record fund raising amount for the United Way of Regina¡¯s Circle of Care is a testament to the  spirit of compassion and caring that is so much a part of our community,¡± said Redenbach.

The Circle of Care Campaign makes it possible for United Way of Regina to support our network of community partners who deliver an array of essential human services and programs that: help children to be ready to learn on the first day of school; assist at-risk youth to successfully return to the classroom; enable vulnerable and new families to be loving parents and contributing neighbours; while ensuring essential crisis services are available especially for women and children fleeing domestic violence.

Michael Redenbach is Vice-President of Primary Health Care for the Regina Qu¡¯Appelle Health Region. Prior to becoming Chair in 2010, Michael served several years on the United Way Campaign Cabinet.

United Way of Regina¡¯s Tribute Luncheon celebrates Regina¡¯s best

Approximately two hundred people attended the United Way of Regina Annual Tribute Luncheon at the Hotel Saskatchewan, on Wednesday, April 21, 2010. The Luncheon recognizes the superlative efforts of individuals and members of the business community who demonstrate outstanding leadership in giving back to their community.

This year¡¯s winners included: Wendy Stone of Regina Police Service and the Honourable Grant H.M. Armstrong, Q.C. both of whom won the prestigious President¡¯s Award.

MacPherson, Leslie & Tyerman LLP and The Co-operators were each recognized with the Distinguished Corporate Philanthropy Award.

The Luncheon also served to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of United Way of Regina.

¡°This years marks a special year of celebration for us as an organization and as a movement committed to creating a better common future for this city,¡± said CEO Joanne Grant.  ¡°First founded in 1935 as the Community Chest, United Way of Regina has evolved and changed over the years, but has remained committed to its vision of building a giving, sharing and caring community. It has always been the extraordinary efforts of our volunteers and donors that allowed us to pursue that vision and be one of this city¡¯s most trusted community organizations. It is their efforts and dedication that we recognize and celebrate today.¡±

Photos of the event available on Flickr

2010 The Distinguished Corporate Philanthropy Awards

Each year, United Way of Regina recognizes a select number of its corporate partners for their exceptional contributions to United Way and to our community.

The Distinguished Corporate Philanthropy Awards are dedicated to outstanding corporate community support, and to the spirit of leadership in building a stronger community as a whole.

MacPherson, Leslie & Tyerman  LLP
Since its inception in 1920, MLT has developed an in-depth perspective on the region¡¯s business, legal and political landscapes, giving it significant presence as a law firm in the Canadian prairies. 

MLT has been nationally recognized for many years, most recently as FORTUNE Magazine¡¯s ¡°Go-To Law Firm¡± in 2008 and 2009. Named as one of the top five Western Canadian law firms by Canadian Lawyer Magazine, MLT is ranked as one of Saskatchewan¡¯s pre-eminent law firms by Lexpert, the trade magazine for lawyers.

MLT is a leading corporate contributor to the communities it serves, providing support through financial donations or leadership roles to various programs, organizations and community funds.

In Regina, MLT Lawyers and staff contribute time and money to numerous groups. The firm¡¯s current focus is on the United Way, Regina and District Food Bank and the Hospitals of Regina Foundation.

The Co-operators
The Co-operators has been active in the Regina community for 65 years fulfilling a key component of its bottom line - social responsibility. As a leading co-operative organization, concern for community is one of its guiding principles. As such, The Co-operators is proud of its reputation of making meaningful differences in the communities where its employees live and work.

The Co-operators supports countless social and charitable projects through corporate donations, sponsorship programs and employee community involvement. It has received the designation of an ¡°Imagine Caring Company¡± from the Canadian Centre for Philanthropy and is listed among the 50 Best Employers in Canada.

2010 United Way of Regina¡¯s President Awards

The President¡¯s Award was established to recognize individuals or groups that have made outstanding contributions to our community and to United Way.

Recipients of the Award are honoured with a signed, framed print of a private collection original by internationally known Regina artist Joe Fafard. Entitled ¡°Need and Response¡±, the theme of protection and caring is an appropriate reflection of the values of United Way and those honoured by the Award.

Wendy Stone
Wendy Stone is truly committed not only to her work with the Regina Police Services as a Crime Prevention Strategist but to making this community better for us all.  Approximately nine years ago, she became a member of our Community Fund
Allocation Committee. In 2003 as we began the strategic review of funding processes and direction, her knowledge and expertise was an invaluable asset. 

Wendy was instrumental in raising thousands of  dollars with the support of her colleagues at the Regina Police Force for the Red Cross¡¯ Imagine No Bullies Campaign.  She is a strong advocate for the RespectEd Bullying program.   Very active in the anti-gang strategy and promoting gang awareness throughout our city.  She participates on the Regina Regional Intersectoral Committee and the Community Initiatives Fund Grant Review Committee to name just a few of her many community involvements.

The Honourable
Grant H.M. Armstrong, Q.C.
Mr. Armstrong has had a long and distinguished legal career in Regina.  As a long serving member of the Law Society of Saskatchewan and the Federation of Law Societies of Canada, he has held several positions of responsibility including the position of President. 

His friends and colleagues describe him as the ¡°ultimate professional¡±, ¡°principled¡±, ¡°would never take short cuts¡±, ¡°a true lawyer¡±, ¡°it is always about doing the right thing¡± and, has a ¡°wicked sense of humour.¡±

Over fifty years ago, Mr. Armstrong served as President of the Community Chest Fund.  He was instrumental in our organizational evolution to become the United Appeal and in creating the first official set of by-laws. During his term as President,  the annual campaign goals were successfully achieved (1956 - $155,000, Frank Pontrey, Campaign Chairman; 1957- $163,000, Cheep Cookson, Campaign Chairman).