Stronger Together: Vancouver Island Team has 100% Participation in United Way Campaign

That’s how Kim Brett, logistics supervisor at Sleeman Breweries’ Vancouver Island warehouse, talks about the company’s involvement with the United Way.

In 2022, the Vancouver Island Team showed just how seriously they take that commitment when they reached a 100% employee participation rate in their United Way campaign.

To mark the achievement and celebrate the team’s ongoing contributions, they are being recognized with a Culture of Giving Award from United Way Southern Vancouver Island.

“The Sleeman team fosters a culture of giving that is simply undeniable,” says Ariel McGrogan with United Way Southern Vancouver Island. “This year, all Vancouver Island Sleeman Employees - from Sales to Logistics - participated in the workplace campaign and their fundraising results increased by 66% over last year. It’s quite inspiring.”

Kim is a driving force behind the campaign and has seen first-hand what the United Way can do for those in need.

“When I was a teenager, my family and I accessed a United Way-funded program,” she explains. “It made a difference for us and now I want to make sure others can have that same level of help when they need it.”

The challenge Vancouver Island faces in supporting people experiencing homelessness is a big motivator for the Sleeman team. Kaitlin Butler, order assembler and forklift operator, donates to the workplace United Way campaign through payroll deduction. “I see the need in my community for more programs to support our un-housed population,” she says. “I want to make a difference where I can.”

Bill Hope is a driver for Sleeman Breweries and was happy to support the 2022 campaign. “The United Way programs focus on families, seniors, mental health and addictions along with diversity, equity, and inclusion,” he says. “These all contribute to building a strong and healthy community, and that matters to me.”

Getting every person on the team working toward a single cause takes creativity and persistence. “I try to make working here fun,” says Kim. To support the United Way campaign, she organized weekly barbecues, a clothing and household goods donation drive, and raffles with enticing prizes that motivated her team to get involved.

Contributing to the campaign through payroll deduction was appealing to the team and an important source of funds. Employees also appreciated having the option to direct their donation to initiatives that meant the most to them.

The team is looking forward to even bigger and better things next year. “The more people we get involved with this campaign, the better we make things for our community,” says Kim.