On March 26, 2014 the United Way of Greater Victoria (UWGV) held their Spirit Awards in honour of the donors, volunteers, community partners and organizations who help raise the funds to support vital community programming.

This year the UWGV raised $5.8 million for critical programs that sustain our social and economic fabric. These programs aim to move individuals from poverty to possibility, to ensure kids grow up healthy and to build strong communities.

Pictured above: MoveUP member and United Way organizer Debbie Yablonski, with Ben Williams and Jim Pullan from Unifor 333 accepting their awards. (Photo credit: UWGV)

MoveUP participates in the United Way campaign in several communities across B.C. In Victoria we partnered with the two other unions at BC Transit, Unifor 333 and CUPE 4500, as well as the employer, with great results. Our collective efforts were recognized last night when we were presented with the Labour Partnership Spirit Award, which recognizes unions for outstanding engagement, involvement and endorsement of a workplace campaign.

The leadership at MoveUP is incredibly proud of our members and the work they have done to merit this award, and sends particular thanks to Debbie Yablonski, who organized our part in the campaign at BC Transit. Our members’ success was grounded in their enthusiasm, compassion and leadership and they deserve the recognition.

We are thankful for each and every member who has participated in a United Way campaign: you are all working together to make our world a better place.

A message from Lori Mayhew, MoveUP Secretary-Treasurer and Heather Lee, MoveUP Vice-President