CFB Esquimalt wraps up another successful GCWC Campaign

Katelyn Moores, MARPAC PA ~

Members of CFB Esquimalt gathered last Thursday to mark the conclusion of this year’s Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC).

With a drum roll playing, Captain (N) Steve Waddell, Base Commander and Chair of the 2015 GCWCC, unveiled the large cheque that declared a total of $448,000 has been raised.

This money will help support the United Way, HealthPartners and a number of other registered Canadian charities, including Esquimalt’s Military Family Resource Centre.

Capt(N) Waddell presented the cheque to Patricia Jelinski, CEO of United Way Greater Victoria, and Therese Boullard, HealthPartners B.C. representative, and expressed his appreciation for the phenomenal contributions made this year by the Defence community.

“I’d like to recognize everyone who participated in the campaign, including the dedicated volunteers,” said Capt(N) Waddell. “Once again, we have achieved success, and all of these funds will go to communities we are attached to, and to the people each of you were thinking about when you made your donations.”

Part of the success of this year’s campaign can be attributed to the outstanding involvement of the Formation, with all individual units and ships throwing their own GCWCC kick-off events and developing unique fundraising options that made it easy for members to participate in the campaign.

These events included weekly soup challenges, barbecues, Dress with a Difference Fridays and 50/50 raffles. In addition, Canadian Armed Forces members, including Rear-Admiral Gilles Couturier, Commander Maritime Forces Pacific, joined forces with the Victoria Royals in October for a charity hockey game that packed the rink with over 200 fans. From senior leadership to crews away at sea, the entire Defence Team came together during this campaign to help those in need.

“Your dedication to public service is evident, not only your service to your country, but in the $448,000 you have raised,” remarked Therese Boullard.

Taking place in federal workplaces across the country, the GCWCC is the largest and most successful workplace fundraising campaign in Canada. The funds raised will help change the lives of thousands of people in the community and fund a number of programs and services that support those in need.

Although this year’s campaign may be over, the coin mosaic with the slogan “Keep Calm Campaign On” will continue to travel to different fundraising events around the base, and everyone is encouraged to continue donating their toonies and loonies to help complete the mosaic.

“We can’t say enough thanks for the support we get from CFB Esquimalt,” said Patricia Jelinski. “You are our largest campaign and we really couldn’t do the work we do without you.”

 

Base Commander Capt(N) Steve Waddell, far right, presents the grand cheque from the base’s GCWCC campaign to the United Way of Greater Victoria.

Base Commander Capt(N) Steve Waddell, far right, presents the grand cheque from the base’s GCWCC campaign to the United Way of Greater Victoria. Beside Capt(N) Waddell is Vicki Kellsey, Cpl Thorpe, Patricia Jelinski, United Way CEO; Therese Boullard, HealthPartner representative; Damon Forster-Stone, CPO2 Koblun and CPO1 Gino Spinelli, Base Chief Petty Officer.

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