Molson in the Community

We’ve been writing about Molson’s United Way campaign over the last couple weeks — we had a very successful 2008 campaign, raising over $600,000!  The Molson employees in Quebec also have tons of great stories from their Centraide campaign, so here’s an overview (en Francais!) of their events and accomplishments. Thanks to Simonne Bienvennue in Montreal for putting together this guest blog post!

Cheers, Tonia

La campagne Centraide de cette année a connu un grand succès avec une augmentation de 7,7% versus l’an dernier. Notre objectif pour la province était de 105 000 $ et nous avons amassé 117 000 $. Bravo et merci à tous les employés qui ont fait un don ainsi qu’à ceux qui ont participé aux événements.

De plus, nous offrons nos plus sincères félicitations à tous les solliciteurs et aux membres du comité pour leur implication et leur dévouement. L’équipe à Montréal était composée de 23 solliciteurs cadres et 22 solliciteurs syndiqués ainsi que de 15 employés qui formaient le Comité.

En région, Danielle Caron (Est du Québec) et Francine Parent (Centre du Québec) étaient les deux solliciteurs qui ont géré les campagnes à l’extérieur de Montréal. Merci Danielle et Francine pour votre bon travail.

Encore cette année, nous avons obtenu l’aide de deux employés retraités qui ont donné bénévolement de leur temps. Un de ces retraités, Serge Pilotte, a offert 280 heures à la campagne. Serge est une personne très influente et respectée auprès des employés autant cadres que syndiqués et il agit en tant que co-président. Le deuxième retraité est Serge Vincent qui a travaillé comme solliciteur à notre Centre de distribution sur la rue Dickson. Sincères remerciements à ces deux personnes.

Tirage du gagnant d’une paire de billets de hockey

Gagnant du 1er tirage moitie-moitie: Benoit Ste-Marie

Plusieurs activités de levée de fonds ont été organisées et ont pour la plupart remporté du succès. Nous avons eu une activité de lancement qui est un lunch Oktoberfest qui fut très apprécié des employés. Il est à noter que la nourriture pour cette activité fut offerte par le Groupe Compass et nous tenons à remercier le chef, Marc Lavigne et son équipe. Les autres activités furent : tirages moitié-moitié, encan silencieux, encan en ligne, mercredis jeans, journées de massothérapie, journée popcorn, installation de pneus, vente de billets pour le tirage de billets de hockey et une activité de team building ‘Art au travail’. Quelques activités ont été organisées secrètement par les employés dont la collecte de métaux par le Service de la Centrale thermique et le paiement pour le café au 1320. Au nom du comite, merci a tous les employes Molson et a l’an prochain. Ensemble on Centraide!

Art au Travail

More photos from Centraide

Part of our A-team in Toronto: Will Forbes, National Chair, Judy McClelland, National Executive Coordinator, Drew Stevenson,  Ontario Chair

I’m often amazed by what people can accomplish when they work together, and this year’s United Way campaign at Molson is one of those moments of awe.  Along with many other companies across Canada, we held our internal 2008 Molson United Way campaign for three weeks in October. This was my first year being part of the campaign as a Molson employee, and I was *seriously* blown away by the efforts of everyone.

I’ve been planning to write about the campaign in detail for a few days, and I’ve now got all the results, all the pics and all the videos — so here it is:

Our 2008 United Way campaign launched October 15th where, (here at 33 Carlingview in Toronto), employees gathered together in the cafe for the kick off.  Bob Duff, a very inspiring United Way volunteer and the Manager of  St. Simon’s Shelter in Toronto took the time to share his United Way story and really helped us understand the impact that United Way can have — Thanks Bob.

A team of ambassadors were put to the test to come up with some great activities to engage and excite employees about the campaign.  Let me tell you — these guys did an AMAZING job.  We had online auctions, a 50/50 draw, casino night, a Halloween party, beer bingo, beer carts, jeans week, CN tower climb….even a hair-growing challenge.

From the internal pledges alone, Molson employees pledged $154,000 — a 10% increase over last year. From special events, over $107,000 — an increase of 77% over last year!

In addition to the internal activities, many Molson’ers volunteered their time for the United Way’s Days of Caring series (read more Days of Caring from Ferg).

Photo: Days of Caring — Davenport Perth Neighbourhood Centre, Toronto: Employees educated schoolchildren about the health benefits of trees in urban environments and the simple steps for proper tree care, while also helping to mulch & water trees in schools and parks.

Video: Will Forbes, Molson United Way National Chair

Simon Brockett in Calgary getting his head shaved for United Way

The beer cart boys in Toronto…sorry guys, couldn’t resist!

In total, with pledges, special events, corporate donations, and Molson’s matching gift program, Molson raised just over $610,000 for the United Way — an increase of 15% from 2007.

I had some conversations recently with friends who work in the non-profit sector who have said, yes, we are worried that people won’t be able or willing to give during these tough times, and it’s true — it will be more difficult to give, but it’s still possible.  I saw this possibility become a reality when Molson employees took the challenge, reached AND surpassed goals….while having a great time!

What do you think?  Will your giving habits change while we go through tough financial times?

Tell us about your United Way efforts….share you stories and photos — we’d love to hear from you.

Cheers,

Tonia

Holy tougher than I thought it would be!  Sunday morning I joined hundreds of others at the CN Tower Climb for the United Way. It was the corporate team challenge climb, so the Molson team (25 of us) took the challenge and climbed the 144 flights/1776 stairs.  We raised over $9,000 for the United Way!

I got to the tower around 6:00 a.m. because I was told by many who have climbed before to get there early to avoid lines…..and to avoid the ’sweaty’ stairwell.  I registered, walked over to the tower, and started the hike up (lots of people ran which I thought was silly. Why waste so much energy running to the tower before climbing!!?).  The stairwell is pretty narrow with no windows, and the flight numbers are painted on the wall at the top of each one.  At first the numbers didn’t bother me; it was nice to know how far I had climbed. But by the time I reached about 75, I just avoided looking at them — found it frustrating.

The first 75 flights were great!  I felt good, kept a steady pace and enjoyed the early morning workout.  Then by 100 or so, I was definitely feeling it.  I actually thought the climb was 127 flights for some reason, so I’m sure you can imagine what went through my mind when I reached 127…and then 128.

I made it to the top in 20 minutes and 44 seconds!  Proud of my time, but know I can beat it next year.  It’s pretty cool to be able to say you climbed Canada’s national tower and former world’s tallest building.  My friend Peter said it best after we finished the climb — check that off your list of things to do in life! Peter was also the superstar of Molson’s team, raising over $3,000!

Great workout, great experience, great cause.

Did you do the climb?  Was it what you expected?  What was your climb time?

Our internal United Way champions have kicked off another year of support for this oustanding charitable cause - United Way. Molson reaches out to our employees and engages them in activities coast to coast in Canada, at our breweries, offices and in the work place. The other really compelling factor is that leaders within our business, rather than senior managers, embrace the opportunity and take this to the general employee population.

This year at 33 Carlingview Drive in Toronto, the employees will be engaged in volunteering in a special series of “Days of Caring”. Our employees recognize what a privelege and honour it is to contribute to the communities in which we live, work and play. Molson employees are “Proud to Play our Part”.

The days of caring initiatives this year include the Davenport Perth Neighbourhood Centre, where we will work with youth in educating them about the benefit of trees in urban environments and the proper tree care in school grounds and parks.  At the YMCA Cedar Glen Camp we will help with some general maintenance of the facility. Employees will also engage at Food Share to help sort and pack fresh food in support of the field to table initiative conducted by Food Share.

Congratulations and a toast to our employees leading this national effort in support of United Way and the thousands of agencies that will be positively affected by this work. Cheers !

What is your favourite United Way agency and how have you  helped make a difference ?

Molson Employees in Montreal

To help kick-off the official launch of the Molson employee United Way 2008 campaign, about 20 Molson employees in Montreal volunteered their time on September 17th to help make a difference for Moisson Montreal, the largest food bank in Canada.

Moisson Montreal is an organization that is supported by the United Way and has 207 chapters spread out across the Island of Montreal. From the food products received, these organizations each month prepare 122,000 bags of provisions and 540,000 meals — coming to the aid of about 110,000 people.

The crew of volunteers also presented Johanne Théroux, Director General of Moisson Montreal, with a cheque for $3000, compliments of the Molson Donations Fund.

The 2008 Molson employee United Way campaign will launch nationally on October 14, with employees across the country participating in different activities to raise money.  Last year Molson and employees contributed over $530,000!

I’m planning to do the CN Tower Climb for United Way at the end of October - my first time! Anyone else participating?