Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC) Newsletter: November 2024 Edition

Colleagues,

In this edition of the newsletter, you’ll find a special message from Clerk John Hannaford, as well as updates on the Walk Run Roll and DM Trivia Challenges, some great tips and messaging about the impacts of donations, and links to two of the latest toolkits that are available to support your communications efforts.

Thank you for your continued dedication to the Campaign.

- 2024 GCWCC Team

A special message from Clerk Hannaford

Earlier sunsets and colder temperatures are upon us! This time of year is for being cozy with our loved ones and supporting our communities. Watch Clerk Hannaford’s message with his companion, Hercules, on the importance of contributing to the GCWCC and taking care of our mental health.

Follow @governmentofcanada / @gouvernementducanada on Instagram to stay in touch!

Did you know?

Through payroll deductions, you can spread your donations across 26 pay periods throughout the year, starting with your first pay in January 2025. What can your pledge do?

$25 per pay donated to the United Way Centraide provides a daily, healthy breakfast to 10 children during a summer day camp program in Halifax.
$40 per pay helps connect a newly diagnosed MS patient to an MS Navigator within the HealthPartners’ MS Knowledge Network.

Visit the Named Recipients page for information on the dollar impacts of contributions through the GCWCC.

Have you heard? Through ProjectBe, you can focus your donations towards local community organizations that work to support the initiative’s 3 specific pillars.

Join over 5,600 donors and support ProjectBe today!

Save the Dates!

November 19, 21 and 26: MegaConnEx
November 28 (1 to 2 pm, ET): DM Trivia Live event
December 3: Giving Tuesday
December 5: Payroll deduction deadline (November 22 for military and NPF)
February 13, 2025 (1 to 2 pm, ET): Awards and Closing Ceremony

Another successful Walk Run Roll Challenge!

A huge thanks to all employees and campaign teams who answered the call and completed the 5km Walk Run Roll Challenge. 1,133 participants across government raised an incredible $47,681 in support of the Campaign.

Congratulations to Team Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), who led the way, raising more than $6,800 through this challenge, followed closely by Teams Health Canada and House of Commons, who raised more than $4,500 and $4,300 respectively.

The generosity and team spirit of public servants really make a difference in the lives of community members who are struggling and in need of support.

Register today: Quiz for a Cause – DM Trivia

Join in the fun to see the lighter side of senior leadership across government, working together for a good cause and raising donations for charitable organizations in communities across Canada through the Campaign.

If you haven’t had a chance to do so, register today to view the live event on Thursday, November 28. Then tune in to find out who will be crowned the Trivia Champion for 2024!

The competition is really heating up.
If you can, consider supporting your Deputy/Senior Leader’s bid to compete in the live DM Trivia challenge. All donations of over $10 will receive a tax receipt.

Meet the 2024 GCWCC Youth Council Executive Team!

The GCWCC Youth Council has 3 executive members.

Raphaëlle Robidoux, a long-time member, is responsible for ensuring the health of ProjetBe, fostering a stable governance for youth within the GCWCC Cabinet as well as leveraging the Youth Council’s partnership with the campaign’s Named Recipients.

Réda Bourgeois has been a member for the past 3 years. He is responsible for providing strategic insights to increase the Youth Council’s reach and engagement with Youth Professional Networks.

Emily Voggenreiter joined the Youth Council 2 years ago and is responsible for facilitating its communications approach and supporting regional files.

Explore our webpage and consider joining the Council as a member to make an impact in your department/region.

Toolkits and useful links

#GivingTuesday toolkit now available to download!

December 3 is #GivingTuesday. It’s the biggest one-day event in which charities, companies and individuals come together to give back to their favourite charities and support their local communities across the country.

It’s the ideal opportunity to shine a light on the collective generosity of employees and complete a major push for donations to the campaign leading up to the holiday season. The #GivingTuesday toolkit is now available to support your communications efforts. Use the messaging and materials to raise awareness.

Consider taking a moment to express gratitude for the efforts of campaign teams and the generosity of all public servants in support of the GCWCC. The GivingTuesday toolkit includes a #ThankyouThursday message that we encourage you to share with employees. Without their tremendous dedication, there would be no Campaign.

Payroll Deduction Deadline: Toolkit Now Available!

Payroll deductions allow donors to spread their donation over a year by giving directly from their pay. The payroll deduction deadline is December 5 this year. Along with #GivingTuesday, it is an ideal week to complete a sprint for donations within your organizations.

Download the communications toolkit today.

Through our donations, together, we can make a huge impact across our communities – the ones we live in, the ones we belong to and the ones we support!

Looking for more messaging or support?

Contact the Chair's Office Team!

Campaign Tips

We are past the midway point of the Campaign. When employees ask why it is important to get involved in the GCWCC, remind them that:

Community needs are rising drastically - more Canadians are turning to charities to address housing instability, to access mental health resources, and to secure basic necessities.
Donations made through the Campaign are helping Canadians get the support they need, whether that is helping:
- aging parents stay in their homes longer due to the member charities supported through the United Way Centraide, or
- 9 out of 10 Canadians who at some point in their lives, will likely be affected by one or more of the major illnesses that the HealthPartners charities are working to eradicate.

The December 5 payroll deduction deadline is also fast approaching. This is the last chance to make a payroll pledge for Campaign 2024.

Payroll deductions make it easier than ever to give consistently. Even a small amount each pay adds up to incredible impact — it is the most impactful and sustainable way of giving.

Campaign leaders, rally your ambassadors together for a sprint week from November 28 to December 6:

Focus on Educate and Donate
- Educate: Use key messages, impact stories and what dollars can do facts, speakers, and the Giving Tuesday and Payroll Deduction Deadline toolkits.
- Donate: Ask for a donation using a clear call-to-action.

The Impact of the Named Recipients

United Way Centraide

Meet Seeta. Thanks to your donations, she is achieving a healthier and more connected life.

Under the supportive eye of her instructor, Seeta Sukhdeo breathes deeply and reaches further. She is clearly enjoying the challenge and benefit of a local seniors’ yoga program—one made possible through the work of United Way.

Widowed 30 years and still carrying family responsibilities, Seeta first attended the program over a year ago, in a bid for relief from the pain of sciatica. “I didn’t know if I could manage any exercise, but afterwards, it felt so good.”

Soon, though, the 72-year-old found that attending the twice-weekly class is more than just a way to relieve pain and stay fit.

Read more about Seeta here: Seeta - United Way Centraide Canada

HealthPartners

Meet Sébastien, who received a liver transplant following an autoimmune hepatitis.

He was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis at age 10, a condition that causes the body to attack its liver. Due to his illness, he missed a lot of school and often felt different from his peers. Now 24, Sébastien fully accepts his condition and actively volunteers.

The Canadian Liver Foundation helped him understand the range of liver diseases and the importance of donations and research to improve treatments. “Medications have advanced, and today I live a normal life,” he says, emphasizing the hope he wants to share with those awaiting transplants.

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