Show Us Your Red!
United Way BC Day Kicked off the Annual Workplace Campaign with community, joy and celebration
On Tuesday, September 26, United Way British Columbia, hosted the first-ever United Way BC Day, kicking off United Way BC’s 2023 Workplace Campaign.
Each region held their own kickoff breakfast event, and various landmarks lit up in red to show their support and solidarity for campaign season.
The common thread (beyond wearing red) among these events was community – the coming together of United Way BC’s friends, supporters, partners, staff, and donors to get inspired and excited to make a difference through campaign season, and beyond! Below is a recap of highlights from United Way BC across our regions.
Central and Northern Vancouver Island
While in Nanaimo, attendees joined host Daryl Major from The Wave 102.3 for a morning of impactful speeches from local non-profit agency representatives and supporters, including Coastal Community Credit Union’s own President and CEO Adrian Legin, the morning’s presenting sponsor, who spoke to why supporting United Way matters to the community.
The morning’s mood was set by Elder Lolly Good from the Snuneymuxw First Nation. Gathering as many of the attendees as she could and giving them instruments, she led the entire room in a welcoming ceremony that uplifted everyone.
The packed room also heard from Kitty Chadwick from Mosaic, who shared why they believed so strongly in supporting the campaign. Her enthusiasm for their upcoming participation was felt around the tables.
Amidst the speakers, a video from the Gold River Food Hub emphasized United Way BC’s work in the region around food security. It was a poignant example of the impact we have in our communities, thanks to the support of workplace campaigns.
Southern Interior
In Kelowna, guests were introduced to the Red Solo Cup fundraiser and silent auction that raised funds for the United for BC Wildfire Recovery Fund. They also had the priceless chance to celebrate and thank first responders and frontline agencies in person, who worked tirelessly during the recent wildfires in our region.
The morning was hosted by David Hanson of Move 101.5 and Marc Dermott of Virgin Radio 99.9
and presented by BDO Canada, who made such a difference in stepping up for community, which has been through so much with the Okanagan wildfires. Kelowna’s event was also supported by AM 1150 Kelowna and Castanet.
Thompson Nicola Cariboo
Guests in Kamloops enjoyed an awesome breakfast, with host, Rich Woods of B-100. He asked attendees to help fill the Red Solo Cup, a legacy fundraiser in the region, to help support those locally impacted by the wildfires.
Representatives from Kruger and Unifor Local 10-B, the morning’s presenting sponsors, spoke to the value and benefits of working together to jointly run United Way BC’s annual employee workplace campaign.
The event was also supported by 98.3 CIFM and Castanet Kamloops.
Lower Mainland
In the Lower Mainland, we hosted a staff-only kickoff breakfast at our central office in Burnaby. Everyone showed up in red and was treated to a pancake breakfast and had the opportunity to listen to an inspiring impact speaker.
Various landmarks across the region also lit up in red, including the Olympic Cauldron in Coal Harbour, BC Place, and Burrard Street Bridge. Various City Halls also lit up in red in the communities of Burnaby, Surrey, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody, Vancouver, and New Westminster.
Thank you to all our partners and sponsors, who without their support, United Way BC Day’s kickoff events would not have been possible.