L to R:Dave Rogoza, LCBO District #19 Manager; Terry Tsubouchi, Store Manager; Catherine Shaw, MNR; Susan Soldan, 2012 OPS Campaign Chair, MTO; Doug Flagel, MTO and T2T cyclist; Frank Pollari, MGS and T2T cyclist. In back on left, Tim O’Doherty, 2013 OPS Campaign Chair, OLG – Thunder Bay Casino; other volunteer staff representing Ontario government ministries. Photo by John Sims OPS for United Way
THUNDER BAY – News – Ontario Public Service (OPS) employees gathered on January 31, 2013 at the Cumberland Street LCBO to reveal the achievement of their 2012 employee campaign for United Way. The OPS campaign is one of the largest employee campaigns in Thunder Bay with over 1,000 donors and volunteers taking part in special events and payroll deductions in their workplace. Today we are pleased to announce that an impressive $230,000 has been raised by the OPS campaign for United Way of Thunder Bay!
United Way – A Challenging Year
2012 was challenging year for fundraising organizations across the city and these much needed dollars raised by OPS employees will make a significant impact for United Way and our entire community. OPS employees know that each of us has the ability to make change in our community and recognize the importance of giving where you live. A large portion of the OPS campaign total comes from the LCBO’s at the till ask where customers also get involved in the campaign. Over $53,000 was contributed to United Way through the effort of staff that encouraged patrons to contribute at the till.
A new addition to the OPS fundraising efforts was the T2T (Thunder Bay to Toronto) bike ride. Fifteen cyclists, including Thunder Bay’s own Frank Polari and Doug Flegel, rode 1,400 kilometers in 10 days over a long and winding course to promote healthy lifestyles and to raise funds for United Ways across Ontario. Over $3,000 was raised to support United Way of Thunder Bay through T2T.
Pollari says,” I took part in T2T for adventure, camaraderie, excitement, exercise, to experience the beauty and majesty of our great lakes, help less fortunate people, to physically challenge myself, create memories, and to do it while I can”. The Ministry of Government Services employee is legally blind and notes he might not be able to do something like this in the future. Pollari believes the T2T ride sparked intrigue both in the hearts and souls of the riders and in those who heard about the ride. T2T has inspired others to get active physically or to help in fundraising and volunteering for their communities.
OPS employees are members of our community. They are your friends, neighbours and family. They believe in creating a strong and supportive community and this outstanding contribution is making change start here. The ongoing support of OPS employees over the past 18 years has raised over $2 million for the United Way of Thunder Bay.
