The Niagara College DNA was on full display on September 14, when members from the NC community participated in United Way Niagara’s first-ever Firetruck Pull as part of the regional campaign kick-off.
At the event, 15 teams from local workplaces and organizations faced off in a friendly competition to pull a St. Catharines firetruck 50 feet – by rope and as fast as possible.
NC’s Executive Team were joined by OPSEU Local 242 President Rayna Laughlin, OPSEU Local 243 President Bob Holder, Niagara College Student Administrative Council President Sam Jemison, and Michael Audibert, Board Operations Manager. Donning their ‘NC Cares in a United Way’ t-shirts, team NC recorded an impressive pull time of 11:03 seconds – no small feat and a task that was accomplished ‘NCTogether.’
Team NC (front row): Michael Audibert, Board Operations Manager, President’s Office; Sam Jemison, NCSAC President; Dr. Marc Nantel, VP, Research and External Relations. Team NC (back row): Rayna D Laughlin, OPSEU Local 242 President; Fiona Allan, VP, Academic; Pam Skinner, Senior VP, College Operations; Sean Coote, VP, International; Sean Kennedy, NC President; Rick Anderson, VP Student Affairs; Bob Holder, OPSEU Local 243 President.
“I am incredibly proud of our Niagara College team for pulling together at United Way Niagara’s campaign kick off this year,” said NC President Sean Kennedy. “It was energizing to be among so many United Way supporters who came together to celebrate the start of an important fundraising campaign that will make a real impact for people in our community.”
President Kennedy played a dual role at the event, participating in the firetruck pull with team NC and addressing the crowd as the 2022 United Way Niagara Campaign Chair. He also joined St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik and St. Catharines Fire Chief Dave Upper to announce United Way’s 2022 regional campaign goal of $5 million dollars.
The 2022 United Way Niagara Campaign is officially underway. Today, with the help of Campaign Chair and President of Niagara College Canada, Sean Kennedy, St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik, and St. Catharines Fire Chief Dave Upper, we announced our campaign goal of $5 million. pic.twitter.com/KtlEgS4hh3
— United Way Niagara (@UWNiagara) September 14, 2022
View YourTV Niagara’s coverage of the event, which includes an interview with President Kennedy and footage of team NC pulling the firetruck on Sept. 14.
2022 NC Cares United Way workplace campaign
September 14 also marked the start of Niagara College’s internal 2022 United Way workplace campaign, which runs through December 9.
Together, the college community raised an incredible $20,093 on launch day through payroll deductions and online pledges – achieving 40% towards NC’s campaign goal of $50,000.
Employees who donated on Sept. 14 were entered into a draw for a chance to win a limited number of prizes. Random-draw prize winners will be contacted directly via email.
There’s still time for employees to donate via NC’s payroll deduction program, or United Way’s online pledge form.
All employees who donate at any time during the campaign period in one of the following categories, will be entered for a chance to win prizing (draw after Dec 9):
- Employees who maintain their donation (1 chance to win)
- Employees who increase their donation (3 chances to win)
- Employees who make a first-time donation (5 chances to win)
To learn how you can double your donation’s impact, check out United Way Niagara’s matching programs for first-time and leadership donors.
Celebrating Why You Give photo submissions
Celebrate your reasons for giving to the United Way by taking a selfie with NC’s Why You Give printable sign. Photo submissions will be received via an online form until October 17. To download your printable sign and for more information on how to submit, visit www.niagaracollege.ca/nccares/.
All submissions will be entered for a chance to win 1 of 3 $50 gift cards to either the NC Teaching Brewery, NC Teaching Winery or NC Greenhouse.
