In last year’s United Way fundraising campaign, LCBO employees raised more than $1.5 million through Leadership Gifts, the employee pledges, customer donations at the stores through the Gift of Giving campaign, and employee-run special events. These funds support a vital network of over 40 United Way Centraides across Ontario and more than 200 social and health service partners tackling social issues and community programs, such as poverty and hunger, access and inclusion, career/employment training, youth programs, affordable housing, domestic violence, support for our seniors and more.

Each United Way Centraide deals with the individual priorities of the communities they serve, ensuring the specific needs and programs make a direct and lasting positive impact in communities across Ontario.

For more information about the United Way, visit their website at www.unitedway.ca.

The LCBO transferred a record $1.4-billion dividend, not including taxes, to the Ontario government in fiscal 2008-09. It is the 15th straight year the LCBO has increased its dividend to the province and the sixth consecutive year the dividend has topped $1 billion. Revenue from LCBO helps pay for health care, education and other important government programs and services.

In addition to our annual contribution to the province, LCBO raises money to support charitable organizations each year through its in-store Donation Box Program, employee contributions and special events. Province-wide in 2008-09, LCBO raised more than $2.75 million for charities including: MADD Canada; Friends of We Care; and Camp Oochigeas, which provides summer getaways to kids with cancer. This includes the $1.5 million raised by LCBO employees for United Way.

If you are a provincial charitable organization and want to find out how to apply for the provincial Donation Box Program, click here. Or for information on the local level program, in January and July, click here.