For Darren and Shirley Andruko, supporting United Way has always been about staying connected to their community and finding meaningful ways to give back.
After first supporting United Way through workplace campaigns during their careers, retirement gave them the opportunity to become more involved. Today, they volunteer through programs like Financial Reality Check, Make Your Mark, and Days of Caring, helping young people build confidence, skills, and connection.
“We really enjoy front-line volunteering,” Darren says. “You get to meet the people who benefit directly from the programs and see the impact firsthand.”
One highlight was working alongside students at Harry Ainlay School through United Way’s Make Your Mark, a youth-led community project.
For Darren and Shirley, showing up consistently matters. “It’s our view that people who have been fortunate have an obligation to help others in the community,” they say.
Through volunteering and giving, they’ve built friendships, stayed connected in retirement, and seen firsthand how support for young people can ripple outward—strengthening the entire community. Thank you Darren and Shirley for your dedication.
When donors and volunteers continue to show up year after year, young people know support will be there when they need it most. Ongoing giving helps create the stability, connection, and opportunities that can shape a lifetime—one moment, one relationship, and one young person at a time.
Monthly GivingRuben Thunder deeply understands the importance of community support. Growing up, he experienced poverty, instability, racism, and the intergenerational impacts of residential schools. During the hardest times, community support made a difference.
“Hope is one of the most powerful things we can give,” he says.
Today, Ruben brings that belief into his involvement with United Way, where he serves as Co-Chair of the Leadership Gifts Cabinet. Through workplace campaigns, donor engagement, and community advocacy, he helps bring people together around a shared purpose: supporting one another.
“When we work together toward a common goal, our impact multiplies,” he says. “Together, we can accomplish far more than we can individually.”
For Ruben, showing up for community means helping create hope—and making sure no one has to navigate hardship alone. Thank you, Ruben, for helping build a stronger, more connected community.
Whether through leadership volunteering, advocacy, workplace campaigns, or helping shape new solutions, there are many ways to get involved. By bringing your skills, perspective, and voice to this work, you can help strengthen our community and create lasting impact.
Leaders of the WayAfter decades of supporting United Way, Elaine and Ron Shannon wanted to make sure their impact didn’t end with them.
“We were updating our wills, and I realized that once I die, my regular donation is gone too,” Elaine says. “We wanted to say thank you, here’s one last gift. We’re not rich, but we asked our lawyer to include United Way. It was as simple as that.”
Elaine’s connection to United Way became personal early on. During a workplace presentation, she recognized her own dental hygienist, who had turned to United Way for counselling after a devastating loss.
That’s when it really hit her that the people being supported could be anyone.
Through 27 years of volunteering, the Shannons saw how United Way adapts to changing needs—supporting youth, families, and individuals in the community.
“It helps me sleep at night,” Elaine says, “knowing support is there when people need it.”
Their legacy gift ensures it always will be. Thank you Elaine and Ron for your incredible generosity.
By including United Way in your will or estate plans, your generosity continues beyond your lifetime, helping to strengthen communities, support those in need, and respond to changing priorities for years to come. Your legacy gift is more than a donation. It’s a lasting mark on the lives of future generations.
Planned Giving