- FCA Canada employee and retiree contribution to United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County 2016 campaign totals $1,176,931.16
- Donation increase of $115,000 from one year ago
- Over 30 years of employees giving more than $1 million
- FCA Canada average employee donation increases to $338
- Largest United Way donation in Windsor-Essex community helps less fortunate
During a special presentation at FCA Canada Headquarters in downtown Windsor today, Company employees and retirees announced a donation of $1,176,931.16 to the United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County 2016 campaign. This year’s pledge marks an increase of $115,000 from one year ago.
The announcement coincides with the Company’s 90th anniversary in Canada, which was reflected with the donation amount being unveiled by taking a trip down memory lane with images of signature vehicles from the Company spanning the last nine decades.
The donation stands as the biggest individual pledge toward the United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County. The figure also maintains the 30-plus-year tradition of FCA Canada employees and retirees giving at a level over $1 million.
“Our FCA Canada employees never waiver from their commitment to give back to the Windsor/Essex Community through the United Way,” said Reid Bigland, Chairman, President and CEO, FCA Canada. “We realize the community is counting on our leadership, and I’m glad we can continue to deliver such good news, year after year.”
“Last year, the total raised by FCA Canada and UNIFOR assisted 10,674 people in Windsor and Essex County,” said Lorraine Goddard, CEO of United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County. “We would like to thank FCA for taking bold action against poverty in our community by ensuring that each and every employee has the opportunity to support United Way. Our very sincere thanks to FCA Canada and UNIFOR Locals 444, 1498, 195, and ONA Local 8 for their ongoing leadership and partnership.”
“When our community reaches out, Unifor Local 444 will always be there as a community partner knowing all of the good that the United Way does across Windsor and Essex County,” said Dino Chiodo, President, Unifor Local 444.
The employee participation rate for the 2016 campaign was 45.5 per cent, with an average pledge of $338, which was up from $324 for the 2015 campaign year. Under the new United Way donation levels for 2016, there were 62 employees this year that gave at the “Bronze Level,” which means employees contributed between $1,200 and $2,499. There were five donations at the “Silver Level,” for those individuals who contributed between $2,500 and $4,999.
The funds raised will help United Way in taking bold action against poverty across Windsor and Essex County. Poverty affects more than one in five people in our community. In fact, more than 42 per cent of single mothers in Windsor-Essex County are living in poverty, as well as one in four kids. Supporting United Way ensures that people in our local community have access to support to create possibility, including but not limited to healthy and fresh food so kids and families don’t go hungry; emergency assistance to help people get through tough times when there’s nowhere else to turn; after-school programs to give kids a safe place to go and get homework help; programs that help kids graduate through mentorship and support; and counselling programs that reduce stress for parents.
As of today’s announcement, the United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County campaign overall total is now $3,719,155.16. Windsor-Essex residents can also help join the cause and help give back to assist those most vulnerable in our community. The public is encouraged to take part and donate generously for this year’s United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County 2016 campaign.
