GENEROUS CHRISTMAS BONUS FOR UNITED WAY
FCA, its employees, retirees donate another $1.17 million
The automotive industry generates tens of billions of dollars in economic activity annually in the Windsor region, but perhaps no single event illustrates its positive ripple effect across the community than the yearly $1-million-plus donation from FCA and its employees to the United Way.
This year, local Fiat Chrysler Automobiles employees, retirees and the company raised $1,167,535, surpassing the million-dollar mark for the 34th consecutive year.
“We truly would not be able to make an impact in the community without these contributions,” Lorraine Goddard, CEO of United Way/centraide Windsor-essex, said at Friday’s reveal of the contributions total.
“The donation represents more than 20 per cent of what we’re able to invest in the community. Our success is also your success.”
FCA and its employees have been supportive of the annual drive since United Way established its roots locally in 1947. Over the past 72 years, those campaigns have raised in excess of $67 million.
“There are other million-dollar campaigns in the country, but those are raised by companies collecting coast-to-coast like banks,” Goddard said.
“This campaign raises more than $1 million from one company in one community. I believe this is the largest donation of its kind in the country.”
While the bulk of the funds are raised by donations from the approximately 6,000 workers at Windsor Assembly Plant, FCA also makes a $50,000 corporate donation and helps with canvassing.
“We’re one of the largest employers in Windsor and Essex County, and we believe being part of the community and giving back to the community is paramount,” said Matt Brannagan, FCA’S head of dealer development.
“That’s what we’ve displayed every year for 72 years, and again this year with the 34th straight year of $1 million (in donations) going back into the community. That’s what we believe in.
“Our employees work here, our customers work here and its just part of our DNA.”
Brannagan, who is also chair of the local United Way board, noted FCA employees have monthly drives that benefit the Salvation Army, Saint Vincent de Paul Society and Windsor’s Downtown Mission. They also collect for Coats for Kids, stuff minivans (eight this year) for Sparky’s Toy Drive, aid the Goodfellows, collect canned goods and spend thousands of hours volunteering in the community through the company’s Motor Citizens program.
Unifor Local 444 president David Cassidy lauded his membership for its generosity despite the uncertain future of the third shift at the minivan plant.
He also credited legendary local union leader Charlie Brooks for the implementation of the payroll deduction plan that has helped the fundraising campaign flourish.
“Our members give back whether it’s a tag day for kids’ sports events or the United Way,” Cassidy said.
“If you saw the entire numbers that facility (Windsor Assembly) puts out ... they give, give, give even with that black cloud over their heads with the potential loss of the third shift.
“They’re second to none in digging into their pockets and continuing to give.”
Goddard acknowledged the United Way would plan judiciously for the next year given the uncertainty surrounding the third shift.
In the short term, this year’s funds will help the United Way launch an ambitious new assault on child poverty.
According to Statistics Canada, about one quarter of the children in Windsor-essex County are living in poverty.
“We’re focused on children because it gives us the greatest chance of changing their life outcomes for the better and preventing them from becoming adults who live in poverty,” Goddard said.
“If we do this right, we’ll be creating a talent pipeline that feeds into the 21st-century economy and the jobs of the future positioning our whole community to prosper.”
This campaign raises more than $1 million from one company in one community. I believe this is the largest donation of its kind in the country.