The generosity of this wing continues to impress me!” exclaimed Colonel Conrad Namiesniowski, 22 Wing Commander, at the cheque presentation ceremony held in the ROCC Lounge on Wednesday, January 11th, 2012. The wing had set a goal to raise $5,000 during the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable campaign that ran from September to December 2011. Instead Master Corporal Sebastian Binczak, the new chairperson for Patrick Bear Charity along with Col Namiesniowski and Chief Warrant Officer Daphne Germain, Wing Chief, presented representatives from theUnited Way/ Centraid Sudbury with a cheque in the amount of $7,100.
“This is only your second year campaigning at 22 Wing – job well done and a sincere thank you to the volunteers and donors,” stated Emily Mackwood, Resource Development Manager with theUnited Way. Twenty-three workplaces ran campaigns inNorth Bayincluding all LCBOs, Canada Revenue Agency, several banks and the Defence Construction Canada here at 22 Wing. It was this success that has lead theUnited WayinSudburyto open a staffed satellite office inNorth Bay. “We are pleased to open an office which is tangible and accessible to those living inNorth Bay,” announced Mackwood. Suzanne Hawes, newly hired to run theNorth Bayoffice, was on hand during the presentation meeting members of the wing and Patrick Bear Charity.
Success of the workplace campaign is attributed directly to the canvassers. Chief Germain officially recognized the efforts of those in the room, those who had canvassed their sections and those who ran the campaign. Although not always an easy job, raising funds on the wing was achieved through “Dress Up Dress Down Fridays” and the successful Wing Commanders and Wing Administration and Technical Services Officers parking spot raffle.
Last year, through the collective efforts of the workplaces that ran aUnited Waycampaign inNorth Bay, $35,000 was raised and over five programs were funded inNorth Baysuch as Autism Ontario North Bay and Area.
The Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC) is a charitable giving option developed exclusively for federal public servants. The annual GCWCC takes place in federal government workplaces across the country during the fall campaign period (Sept. to Dec.). Through the GCWCC, public servants can support United Ways/Centraides, Healthpartners or any other registered Canadian charity of their choosing. United Way/Centraide, a trusted community partner with a history of making wise investments, manages the campaign on behalf of the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.
This is the second year that the Patrick Bear Charity committee ran the GCWCC. The Patrick Bear Charity (PBC) is comprised of military and civilian employees of 22 Wing who volunteer time and resources to promote a charitable atmosphere and to foster interest and concern regarding the circumstances and needs of the organizations that support the less fortunate within our community. For more information about PBC please contact MCpl Binczak at Sebastian.binczak@forces.gc.ca
