Molson in the Community

The last two weeks of October was Molson Coors Canada’s annual United Way campaign, and this year was MY first as a member of the National Committee.  The first thing I’d like to say is”‘whew”.  The second is “whew!”.  Organizing a major campaign that raises hundreds of thousands of dollars is no easy task, but with a team of rockstar employees and incredible support from the United Way, we successfully completed our campaign with no (major) glitches!

We’re still tallying the final fundraising totals across the country, but I wanted to share a couple photos from events and also mention that United Way Toronto’s annual fundraising event, Rouge, is coming up!

What is Rouge?

“Rouge is a red-hot fundraiser not to be missed. It’s an evening of music, silent auction indulgences, and mingling.  Experience an evening of mystery in mask leading up to midnight when everyone is revealed… Presented by United Way Toronto’s GenNext, this sizzling party brings people together in support of United Way Toronto’s Community Fund.”  United Way Website

I got to spend some time chatting about Rouge with United Way’er Rebecca Chesley (@UWTGenNext) and decided that I’m going AND I want you to go!  I have two tickets to give away to a reader and guest so they can experience Rouge themselves.

To enter for your chance to win the tickets, just leave a comment on this blog post or re-tweet the post including this link http://bit.ly/2hcGBf and @MolsonTonia.  I’ll draw the winner on Thursday, November 12th (Note – must be legal drinking age)

Photos from United Way events:

Team Molson at the CN Tower Climb

Days of Caring – Volunteering at Baycrest Hospital

Days of Carling – Molson’s Relationship Marketing Team voluteering at Food Share

United Way Car Wash – Calgary

Molson Coors National Committee members and Pinball

Yesterday was the official kick off to our United Way 09 Campaign and we were SO lucky to have the great Michael ‘Pinball’ Clemons as our guest speaker at our Toronto office. Pinball spent an hour with our employees delivering a truly captivating and inspiring speech. Micheal is well known for being a philanthropist and redefining community relations through his many community activities and the Michael “Pinball” Clemons Foundation.  He is also Chair of the United Way Youth Challenge Fund.

Thank you so much for joining us Michael!

We’re on day two of our 14 day campaign…rock on.
Have a great weekend all. Cheers, @MolsonTonia

Members of the Molson Ontario United Way committee members

Molson employees in the John Molson pub at the United Way kickoff 2009

As we kick off United Way activities across Canada at Molson Coors this week I wanted to share a post by Johanne Drouin. Johanne had posted an experience on yammer this morning that she and her team had taken in. It just says so much about our employees and the support that we as a company provide to help our employees and the company play our part in the community. Way to go Johanne and your 9 colleagues…you are all an inspiration for all of us to make a difference in the communities in which we live work and play. Salut !

Johanne’s post (she gave me permission)

Yesterday, I participated, along with 9 of my colleagues, in a volunteering activity at one of the very rare women-only shelters in Montreal. Chez Doris is one of the 360 organizations supported by Centraide of Greater Montreal , and has been helping the most vulnerable members of our community for 30 years. They are doing a tremendous job at providing these women with a bit of dignity, and encouraging them to develop their skills and talents to improve their quality of life. My group’s tasks consisted in cleaning and organizing the collective kitchen, sorting out various items received through donations, and serving lunch to approximately 85 people. Rubbing elbows with these women made all of us realize that poverty has many faces and could touch any of us at any given time. I feel truly blessed I never had to face the harsh conditions these women have been dealing with every single day. Offering a few hours of my time is my way to show gratitude for the wonderful things life has offered me.

Molson has been a proud supporter of the United Way for many years, particularly through our corporate fundraising campaign each fall.  This year we are participating in the United Way’s Sponsored Employee Program – a current employee is ’sponsored’ by Molson to work for the United Way for 15 weeks.  The loaned employee helps with the United Way’s annual workplace campaign on a full-time basis while their salary and benefits remain the same as if they were at work in their regular function at Molson.

This year, Molson is so pleased to sponsor Susan Perdue, a packaging operator from the Toronto Brewery.  She will be off to the United Way at the beginning of September for 15 weeks!  Congrats Sue – can wait to hear about your time there.

I love this program and will definitely consider it for next year.  Would it be something you would do?

(Photo: Molson employees and UW team leaders Sarah Eby and Pat Reid accepting the Canvassing Team Spirit Award)

On Wednesday evening, the United Way Toronto held its 2008 United Way Celebration dinner at the Toronto Metro Convention Centre.

As many are aware, 2008 was a tough year for all organizations that are trying to raise funds, given the state of the economy. The United Way campaign in Toronto was still able to raise just over $107.5 million to support the many programs and services that provide aid to Toronto citizens. I’m blown away by the way Toronto’s corporations, organizations and individuals banned together to make this campaign so successful.

I attended the awards along with some Molson folks who made a great difference in our Employee Campaign this year.  Just one small table among hundreds of others (and thousands of people)….we were thrilled to attend and be a part of a historic night.

I wrote about Molson’s UW campaign a couple months ago, and am proud to say, again, that despite the economic issues we were facing, Molson employees took the challenge and surpassed our fundraising goal!  Because of our employees and the dedication of our team leaders and the 2008 committee, we were honoured at the celebration with a Spirit Award in the Canvassing Team category.  We were also nominated for the Employee Campaign and Corporate Support awards.

Let’s just say the cheers from our table were loud…..

Congrats to all.  Here’s the highlight video that was played at the dinner:

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