Personal Impact Stories
Throughout the years, we have heard so many incredible stories of hope and perseverance along the way that have truly touched our hearts and encouraged us to help share these stories and inspire others.
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Read below to discover the inspiring stories of people
who have been personally impacted and helped by the GCWCC.
Cameron MacDonald
Since joining the federal public service as a student many years ago, I have always made it a priority to donate through the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign (GCWCC) – and, with each passing year, the reasons have changed, and so too have the organizations that I have wanted to direct my money towards. What hasn’t changed, though, is that I know I am making a difference and the needs our communities only continue to grow.
A short 25 years ago, I was a young kid headed off to college with no idea what my future would hold. I was only starting to learn the realities of paying for school, books, a computer and everything that goes along with being a student. Despite having a part time job and working to save money, the truth is I still didn’t have enough and my family didn’t have the means to fully support me. I needed help. For me, that help came from the Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization. Being raised by a single mom, I was matched with my big brother Jim years before. Not only did I gain a Big brother, mentor and lifelong friend, but I was supported by an organization that wanted to see me succeed. Through their scholarship program, I was given a new computer for my studies and help with my tuition fees. It was the lifeline I needed to kick off my adult journey! Little did I know this would change the path of my life. Not only was I the first college graduate in my family, but it started a lifelong love of learning and a passion for all things digital.
If Big Brother and Big Sisters didn’t have the support of donors through their generous donations, I would not have been given that helping hand that changed so much for me. While it can be easy to think that just a small donation won’t mean much – I am here to say that it absolutely does. Every small amount of money is a stepping stone that the United Way can use to help build someone a new future.
This is only a small, but very personal, story about why I give. I hope you will consider doing the same and make a donation through the ePledge platform today.
Thank you for your generosity and for helping to make a difference in someone’s life!
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Manon Bombardier
Finding the one reason for me has been a difficult and almost impossible task, as there are many reasons why I contribute to this very important cause. Many events in my personal life have reminded me over the years of how fortunate I am, while so many in our communities are struggling with putting food on the table, financial insecurity, mental health, addiction or serious medical conditions. Here are a few of these events that keep reminding me of why I give.
I grew up in a very modest home and until I was about 7 years old, we lived in an underprivileged Montreal neighborhood. I didn’t know what that meant back then. Issues related to mental health, substance abuse, and financial insecurity were common and visible even in the eyes of a kid.
A few years later in my teenage, my parents separated and my sisters, my mom and I found ourselves having to rely on friends and community services to provide us the necessary support due to unforeseen circumstances. Those were though times, but we made it work.
I then progressed to university at MacDonald College (Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue), outside of commuting distance from home. My family did not have the financial means to support my student fees, books and everything I needed, and my part-time job was insufficient to cover. Fortunately, I was successful in receiving student loans and bursaries which were just enough to carry me through. These university years taught me to value anything and everything that I had and how to get through with the bare minimum.
Fast forward 30 years, I have a wonderful family, an amazing and very supportive husband, and two awesome sons. However, in November 2017, my husband suffered a heart attack. Suffering major chest pains, he was taken by ambulance from Montfort Hospital to the University of Ottawa Heart Institute where he was immediately operated on. He received excellent treatment and advice. The kindness of the medical personnel at the institute was of tremendous support.
I feel extremely privileged being a public servant. I strongly believe that it is my duty to contribute as much as I can to our communities. I have been contributing to the GCWCC since joining the federal public service 25 years ago. For me, giving is a way to contribute to community-based support to provide those in need timely access to not only what they need to get through tough times, but also help people, kids and families thrive and succeed. I know that the money that I give will be used to help people who need it most. I give to help vulnerable women and their families have equal opportunities for a successful life; so that kids like I once was, have a fair shot at a good life as well as a safe place to grow; so that more people in our communities can achieve financial independence and stability; and to support research in cardiovascular care, treatment and research.
No matter how big or how small your pledge is, the important thing is to give to what matters to you. I hope you will take a moment to consider supporting this year’s (HC)² Campaign.
Thank you for taking the time to read this message.
