United Way looks at the big picture to deliver a coordinated network of services and programs to address a range of needs for children and families who are living in poverty.
Behind all our work, there are people like you who get involved in big and small ways. Help us ensure a better future for families living in poverty by getting involved.
Strengthen your organization’s profile as an active community leader and contribute to meaningful change and help build poverty-free, healthy communities where you live and work.
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United Way is a network of more than 75 local United Way offices. Since 1941, we’ve worked in the Alberta Capital Region for the betterment of all.
Whether you are an individual looking for support or an organization looking to collaborate, please reach out to connect.
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A staple of United Way of the Alberta Capital Region for over 30 years, the annual Red Tie Gala event celebrates and recognizes the hard work and community spirit witnessed and delivered during the previous year’s fundraising campaign. The event also honours recipients of the Awards of Distinction, recognizing those exceptional individuals and groups who embrace the notion that ordinary people have the potential to achieve extraordinary impact.
The Awards of Distinction recognize those exceptional individuals and groups who embrace the notion that ordinary people have the potential to achieve extraordinary things.
This award is presented to the Workplace Campaign Committee that showed innovation, teamwork and enthusiasm in the promotion/execution of the workplace campaign and achieved stronger than expected results in the workplace.
2023 Nominees (over 100 employees):
2023 Nominees (under 100 employees):
This award is presented to the organization or individual whose new and innovative idea generated a big payoff for United Way and poverty eradication in our community.
2023 Nominees:
This award is presented to an initiative that increased awareness of community needs and the impact of United Way donations, showed excellence in coordinating and motivating others and achieved stronger than expected results.
This award is presented to the United Way Funded Partner campaign that showed outstanding commitment, dedication and creativity executing their own United Way employee campaign.
This award is presented to the organization or community initiative that specifically engages the next generation of community leaders (40 and under) in the work of United Way and poverty eradication in our community.
The Labour Awards of Distinction is given in recognition of the commitment of labour groups to investing in our community through United Way of the Alberta Capital Region.
This award is presented to organizations that have demonstrated outstanding support of the Leaders of the Way program. The candidates have shown creativity and excellence in the execution of a Leadership giving ($1,200-$9,999) campaign, and have achieved a significant increase in Leadership donors and dollars over the previous year.
This award is presented to the organization of 100 employees or less that demonstrated excellence in the execution of their workplace campaign.
This award is presented to the Employee Campaign Chair(s) who demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity and commitment in the planning and execution of their workplace campaign. that went above and beyond the call of duty and achieved challenging campaign goals and objectives.
2023 Nominees (Private Sector)
2023 Nominees (Public Sector/Government)
This award recognizes organizations that are supporting United Way for the first time. Eligible candidates demonstrate a commitment to the community by empowering individuals to get involved in the community and make a difference.
2023 Recipients:
This award is presented to an individual who demonstrates unparalleled commitment to United Way’s mission to create pathways out of poverty, is a senior United Way volunteer and has demonstrated exceptional commitment to United Way for 10 years or more.
Outstanding Committee Members of the Year – This award is presented to the committee member (or company volunteer) that demonstrated exceptional commitment to success in the workplace campaign.
Joleen Ballendine is an improviser, actor, writer, and mainstage cast member of Rapid Fire Theatre. She is also the company’s Director of Education and co-director of the Sphinxes Outreach Program, which aims to empower and employ female, trans, and non-binary improvisors. Joleen performs weekly in Theatresports, Maestro, and several long-form shows, including Improvised Dungeons and Dragons directed by Edmonton’s own Mark Meer, Colin Mochrie and Friends in the Edmonton Fringe Festival. She tours regularly with comedy partner Amy Shostak in their high energy, risk-taking improv duo Rä Power. Joleen is a two-time Canadian Screen Awards nominee for both her performance and writing in the Canadian sketch comedy show Caution: May Contain Nuts on APTN. Joleen is proud to be an Edmonton-based artist.
Nikki Hulowski is an actor, comedian, improviser, writer, and actor combatant who was raised on the farmlands of Athabasca, Alberta. Since graduating from the University of Alberta’s BFA Acting program in 2015, Nikki has dived headfirst into the world of comedy and film – her two passions. First dipping her toes into the improv and sketch comedy world during her high school years, she took a break from the craft(s), only to return to join the ranks of Rapid Fire. Nikki is also one of the five members of the sketch comedy troupe Marv n’ Berry. When not making jokes and pretending to be other people, Nikki bartends around the city, practices her machining skills, and beats the crap out of other people on stage and film.
Three Sisters inspired salad with smoked corn bread, fresh summer squash, toasted corn nuts, and cider-braised bean salad finished with Wojape mint sauce and mustard greens. Vegetarian
Wood smoked and maple glazed Alberta Beef Short Ribs with Forestiers mashed potato, Chef-inspired late winter vegetables, Adobo style reduction. Vegetarian and vegan options available. Gluten-free
Milk chocolate mousse with burnt caramel sponge and espresso Cremieux.
Sissy Thiessen Kootenayoo of Wase Saba Experiences is a Two Spirit and disabled person of Treaty 6 Nakota Sioux Cree and German descent. Wase Saba Experiences is proud to bring Indigenous cultural education, Powwow dance, crafting, hosting, spoken word, and more to stages and spaces all over the world. Sissy’s dancing, spoken word, hosting, education, drag, and more has been featured on stages all over Turtle Island, including: New York, San Francisco, Montana, Edmonton Folk Fest, and more.
Teacupdj’s blend of underground rock, pop, and funky house with classics you know and love will have you rushing to the dancefloor at the Red Tie After Party. Glitter, guitars, and undeniable danceability are all elements of every single tea party, creating the soundtrack for the nights you’ll never forget. Forever dancing behind the decks, teacupdj finds only the best of the best floor-fillers, while making good moods happen in inclusive spaces that uplift and encourage creative freedom. Nostalgia and discovery, it’s all a part of a teacupdj set!
Some super-secret special guests will bring a high-flying, heart-pounding performance to the Red Tie Gala stage to cheer on the roomful of changemakers making a BIG difference in the Alberta Capital Region. Who could it be?
Raspberry syrup from fresh B.C. raspberries and The Fort Distillery’s Cosmo craft vodka add a whole new level of flavour to the effortlessly delicious featured cocktail. The Fort’s version of this well-loved and famous cocktail is the perfect combination of tart and sweet, a fruity and citrus-forward concoction you’ll love making anytime, gathering with friends and serving over great conversation.
