United Way brings together social agencies, schools, organizations, and governments to make a meaningful difference in the community through local programs and services that empower people to improve their lives. By working together, we create lasting change and build a stronger, more vibrant community for everyone.
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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.
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Home / Awards of Distinction
Each year, United Way’s Awards of Distinction recognize the hard work and compassion of changemakers who support the community they love and drive purposeful and meaningful social change.
The Awards of Distinction recognize those exceptional individuals and groups who embrace the notion that ordinary people have the potential to achieve extraordinary things.
The Award of Excellence is a recognition award presented to organizations in the Alberta Capital Region that raised more than $1,000,000 in 2024.
2025 Recipient: PCL Construction
PCL Construction continues to set the standard for workplace campaigns, raising 2.5 million dollars in support of United Way this past year! Their 2024 campaign was built on innovation, education, and engagement. With a passionate committee, dedicated ambassadors, and creative events, PCL’s commitment to community impact remains stronger than ever.
2025 Recipient: Enbridge
Enbridge’s workplace campaign exemplified what’s possible when passion meets purpose. By introducing fresh ideas, their team was able to raise over 1 million dollars in support of United Way during the 2024 campaign season. Through strategic engagement, education, and a culture of generosity, Enbridge continues to drive meaningful change in the Alberta Capital Region.
This award is presented to those who demonstrate unparalleled commitment to United Way’s purpose to build a strong and vibrant community where no one is left behind. These longstanding United Way volunteers have demonstrated exceptional commitment to our United Way for 10 years or more.
2025 Recipient: Pamela Spurvey
Pamela is a powerful advocate, leader, and changemaker. As an Indigenous woman with lived experience, she uses her voice to champion human rights and equity. Through her work on national and local committees, Pamela sheds light on housing rights, Indigenous leadership, and houselessness. Her dedication to ensuring lived experience informs decision-making and policy inspires us all. Thank you, Pamela, and congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
2025 Recipient: Pauline Smale
For over a decade, Pauline has been a driving force in strengthening our community. As Co-Chair of United Way’s Workplace Campaigns Cabinet, she leads with passion, always going above and beyond. From her early days as an Employee Campaign Committee member to her role as CEO of The Family Centre, Pauline’s dedication to building a stronger community is unwavering. She is a true champion of lasting change. Congratulations, Pauline!
This award is presented to organizations that have demonstrated long-standing, consistent support for the Leaders of the Way giving program. Recipients of this award are honoured for their dedication to recognizing and celebrating the impact of workplace campaign donors who give $1,200 or more annually.
2025 Recipient: Safety Codes Council
Safety Codes Council took bold steps for its 2024 workplace campaign, launching its first pledge drive and introducing payroll deductions in support of United Way. The organization’s dedication led to incredible results, raising nearly 9 thousand dollars and inspiring 30 per cent of employee donors to give at the leadership level. From volunteer sessions to learning events, their commitment to community impact is undeniable.
This award is presented to the workplace campaign which made intentional efforts to engage the next generation of community leaders, retirees, and/or women and gender-diverse groups in campaign activities to increase awareness and support of United Way initiatives.
2025 Recipient: Edmonton Oil Kings
The Edmonton Oil Kings had game-changing impact with their Coats for Kids and Families drive this year. Through in-game promotions, social media engagement, and ticket incentives, the Oil Kings rallied the WHL’s most passionate fan base to action, collecting more than 500 coats over three games. Thank you, Edmonton Oil Kings! Your dedication to community support and volunteerism continues to make a lasting difference.
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 employees, and achieved stronger-than-expected results in the workplace.
2025 Recipient: Wheaton Group of Companies
Through their 2024 Sock it to Poverty campaign, the Wheaton Group of Companies united employees in a fun, competitive, and impactful way, collecting an astounding 16,651 pairs of socks. From creative team challenges to heartfelt storytelling, they inspired participation across generations, proving that even the smallest necessities can create big change. Congratulations, Wheaton Group!
This award is presented to the organization or individual whose new and innovative idea generated a big payoff for United Way and our purpose to build a strong and vibrant community where no one is left behind.
2025 Recipient: Primoris Canada
Primoris Canada took workplace fundraising to the next level with innovative and engaging events that inspired giving and bolstered community impact. From the adrenaline-fueled Paintball for Charity at Prime Day to the highly competitive Office Olympics, their campaign combined fun and education. By incorporating impact speakers, hands-on learning, and creative fundraising strategies, Primoris exceeded their campaign goal by 200%, increased payroll giving, and deepened staff engagement. Congratulations, Primoris, on your outstanding campaign!
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.
2025 Recipient: Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton
The Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton brought energy, creativity, and passion to their United Way campaign, making it their most successful yet. With engaging activities, virtual accessibility, and incentives that encouraged generosity, they inspired staff to give. By fostering an inclusive and enthusiastic campaign, they demonstrated how small actions create big impact. Thank you for building a stronger, safer community!
This award recognizes an organization that is supporting United Way for the first time. Recipients are honoured for demonstrating a commitment to the community by empowering individuals to get involved and make a difference.
2025 Recipient: 1-800-GOT–JUNK?
1-800-GOT-JUNK? made an immediate impact by stepping up to support United Way’s Coats for Kids and Families campaign. Its team provided free pickups, engaged drivers in volunteering, and ensured warm clothing reached those in need. The organization’s commitment to giving back and using its resources for good has set the tone for a strong partnership. Welcome, and thank you for making a difference!
This award is presented to the committee members or organization volunteers who demonstrated exceptional commitment to the success of the workplace campaign.
2025 Recipient: Bonnie Gattolliat, Alberta Public Service – Indigenous Relations
A true Leader of the Way, Bonnie’s dedication, creativity, and generosity transformed her workplace campaign’s success. From organizing Indigenous crafting initiatives and raffles to expanding fundraising events, she helped triple fundraising efforts in two years. Her vision, passion, and tireless contributions uplift those around her, proving that leadership is about action and impact. Thank you, Bonnie, for your extraordinary commitment to community.
2025 Recipient: Bruce Ferguson, City of Edmonton
Bruce is the heartbeat of the City of Edmonton’s workplace campaign. His 40-year commitment to United Way and deep belief in doing local good fosters a culture of engagement and giving among employees. An innovative and forward-thinking committee member, Bruce removes obstacles, fosters teamwork, and ensures every voice is heard. His vision for creating lasting change in our community is truly inspiring. Thank you, Bruce, for leading by example!
This award is presented to the Employee Campaign Chair(s) who demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, and commitment in planning and executing their workplace campaign. They went above and beyond the call of duty, achieving challenging campaign goals and objectives.
2025 Recipient (Public Sector): Charlayne Bozak, Alberta Public Service – Infrastructure
Charlayne’s leadership and dedication propelled her team’s United Way workplace campaign to new heights, surpassing its 25,000-dollar fundraising goal. As both Employee Campaign Chair and Vice Chair of the campaign, she tirelessly organized events, secured donations, and inspired participation among her colleagues. Her passion for the cause is contagious, turning every initiative into a success. Charlayne, your commitment to making a difference is truly inspiring!
2025 Recipient (Private Sector): Chelsea Lawrysyn, Imperial Oil
Chelsea’s leadership transformed Imperial Oil’s workplace campaign, engaging every staff member across shifts and surpassing their 350,000-dollar fundraising goal. From early morning pancake breakfasts to impact speaker events, she ensured every voice was heard and every effort counted. Her personal storytelling and creative engagement strategies brought the mission to life, inspiring generosity and action. Chelsea, your dedication to United Way is extraordinary – thank you!
2025 Recipient (Private Sector): Reshma Appasamy, Enbridge
Reshma’s leadership has set a new standard for what it means to engage and inspire. By focusing on education, she ensured that every employee understood the impact of their donations. From creating innovative events like Dunk Your Leader to organizing personal “cookie chats,” Reshma’s commitment was unwavering. Under her leadership, Enbridge raised over 1 million dollars! Reshma, your passion and commitment are truly remarkable. Thank you!
This award recognizes non-profit leaders who go beyond their roles to strengthen the social sector and create lasting change in their communities.
2025 Recipient: Liz O’Neill
As the former executive director of BGC Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton & Area, Liz goes above and beyond for the sake of a better community. Liz is a role model to the entire social sector within the Alberta Capital Region. She is the first to share her time, resources, and skills with others. Her impact has touched many lives and inspires us all.
Going forward, the recognition will be named The Liz O’Neill Community Leader Award.
This award is presented to the Workplace Campaign Committee that showed innovation, teamwork, and enthusiasm in promoting and executing their campaign, achieving stronger-than-expected results in the workplace.
2025 Recipient (under 250 employees): Alberta Public Service – Executive Council
With a small but mighty team, Alberta Public Service Executive Council’s campaign committee drove remarkable results, exceeding their fundraising goal by 126 per cent! From live-streamed pumpkin carving to creative engagement strategies, their dedication fostered excitement, participation, and record-breaking impact. Their commitment to building momentum year over year proves that a passionate team can achieve incredible change.
2025 Recipient (between 250 – 1000 employees): Dow Canada
Dow Canada’s campaign committee shattered expectations, increasing event fundraising by 500 per cent and raising an impressive 217,000 dollars! They reimagined fundraising by challenging past limitations, introducing a golf tournament and beef raffle to engage employees and partners alike. Their innovation, dedication, and community spirit have set a new benchmark for workplace giving.
2025 Recipient (over 1000 employees): PCL Construction
PCL Construction’s campaign committee combined creativity and strategic engagement to strengthen donor participation, increase Leaders of the Way donors by 26 per cent, and introduce innovative education initiatives. Their social agency showcase brought community impact to life, engaging over 150 employees in meaningful conversations. By making participation more accessible, they inspired a new wave of United Way donors and advocates.
