ARTICLES | Winexpert's Corporate Charity: The United Way
Winexpert's Corporate Charity: The United Way
Posted February 22, 2009 | 0 Comments
At Winexpert we are committed to making a difference within our community and since 2007 the United Way has been our charity of choice. To date, we have donated over $90,000 for the United Way through employee donations, special event fundraisers and a national fundraising campaign.
In 2007, we donated $20,000 to the United Way through employee donations and special event fundraisers like a pancake breakfast and company golf tournament.
In September 2008, we launched a national campaign to raise much-needed funds for the United Way. In a unique campaign designed to give back to our local communities, we donated $1 dollar per wine kit sold throughout the month of September to the United Way.
The theme of the campaign was “sharing” and was supported through on-site events, public relations, direct mail and traditional advertising at the national and retailer levels. Many of our Authorized retailers matched the $1 donation meaning that in their local areas, $2 per kit sold will be donated to the United Way. “We are committed to making a difference in the communities that we and our retailers serve,” says Mario Rodi, Winexpert’s Vice President, Sales and Marketing. “We were very excited about this program, which reinforces our commitment to the United Way through a national fundraising effort, and provides funds to people and organizations that very much need our help.”
The campaign turned out to be a huge success with exceeding our goal and raising over $65,000 for United Way. “Thanks to the collective support of Winexpert and their Authorized Retailers across Canada, an additional $65,000 was raised to help support local communities says Michael McKnight, United Way’s President and CEO. “By supporting United Way, Winexpert is helping to make a profound difference in individual lives and in the quality of life we all enjoy.”
Additionally, in 2008, we raised over $5,500 through employee donations and an annual BBQ event. Also in 2008, a group of Winexpert employees supported the United Way “day of giving, by volunteering to paint the entire office spaces of a local community organization.
“Although, it is important for us to talk about the quality of our products,it’s also important for us to show our support for the communities we do business in,” continues Rodi. “We believe that by giving back to our community we will build a stronger foundation for our company, employees and customers.”