Workplace Engagement & Events

With growing anxiety across our communities, there is an increased need for mental health support especially for vulnerable seniors.  Frontline community workers at United Way agencies also faced unprecedented challenges as agencies were stretched to their limits responding to the skyrocketing needs of the community.  Writing a note is a small gesture that can help to reduce social isolation or make someone feel cared for and can be done right from your home office or desk. We might not all be expert writers but all of us can write a note from the heart to make someone feel that that are cared for or thought about. Notes in other languages are welcome. To write a note to a senior, click here and to write a note to a frontline community worker, click here

Interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the community agencies that United Way invests in and the critical work that is helping to address issues in our community? Neighbourhood tours are an excellent opportunity to learn first-hand about the people, programs and services that are offered across Peel, Toronto, and York Region. To learn more about this activity, click here.

Hearing a personal story from a United Way Speaker is an excellent way for employees and donors to learn how donations are used to build a better, stronger future for our region. Invite a United Way speaker to give a talk during your campaign kick-off, town hall, lunch and learn, or other fundraising events. Speakers bureau volunteers are also available to present virtually and share their stories of what it’s like to work in the frontlines, and how many lives are changed through the donations made to United Way. To learn more about this activity, click here.

You can see more great stories and videos on our website. If you can’t invite a live speaker, you can use one of our inspirational videos and stories at your campaign events to build awareness of the unignorable issues facing our community.

Living on a limited budget is tough, and for those living in poverty making the month can be a difficult challenge. Try MaketheMonth.ca, (the first online poverty simulator in Canada) on your own and with colleagues, and see if you can make the month. Raise empathy and awareness about poverty in our local communities by doing this activity in a group, and follow it by allowing participants to discuss their feelings, and share their learning and thoughts.   Download the facilitation guide to help you guide your discussion.

Think your co-workers are a super talented bunch just waiting for their moment to shine? Host a virtual talent show and ask them to record and upload a 2-3 minute video of themselves showcasing their talent (think singing, playing an instrument, doing a magic trick, juggling fruit or body contorting into a pretzel!). Encourage people to vote for their favourite act by donating, where every donation is a vote towards selecting a winner. The act with the highest dollar amount raised wins! To raise even more money, consider asking for a registration fee from all the contestants, or asking executive leadership to sponsor a contestant, and have it count towards their total money raised.

Online auctions work similar to in-person ones, and the concept is simple – the highest bid wins! Besides offering a variety of unique and useful items, remember to also include services (when the situation permits) and virtual experiences. Encourage your co-workers to donate popular items (gift cards, wine and spirits, gift baskets, etc.), as well as unique and rare ones (sports memorabilia, autographed items, virtual coffee with a prominent person within your organization, etc.) People are more likely to support and bid if it’s for a good cause, so variety is key.

Get your coworkers to take part in a virtual challenge while raising money for United Way. Have your co-workers commit to doing something physically challenging for every $10 they raise. Ten push-ups for every $10? Yes! Climb ten flights of stairs? Go for it! Run a mile? They can do it! Did someone say burpees?! Not only does it inspire people to keep active and moving, it can create fun, friendly competition amongst everyone involved, not to mention all the feel-good endorphins! Encourage them to add a personal touch to it by filming themselves doing the challenge and feature video clips in your e-mail communications or intranet to inspire others to participate or donate.