2008 award recipients
Images of Hope award
SHARON YOUNG KIPP
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A surprised Sharon Young Kipp |
Well known for her school spirit and enthusiasm, Sharon Young Kipp is a physical education department head with the Thames Valley District School Board and member of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation (OSSTF).
Sharon is a huge cheerleader for United Way – raising both funds and awareness. She encourages students and teachers alike to take part, get involved and think of the needs of the community - all the while keeping things fun.
Sharon is a fixture at United Way’s annual StairClimb with her crew from Central Secondary School and has had an extensive role in the United Way Football games. She is chair of the joint United Way Football committee that is composed of both school boards and plays a large role in getting the games underway every year.
Sharon has been an Employee Campaign Coordinator, has served on United Way’s annual Campaign Cabinet four times and now serves on the Labour Campaign Committee. In addition to all the time and energy Sharon devotes to United Way, she’s also a valued donor, giving at the Leadership level. She even find time to make presentations to encourage others to become Leadership donors.
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Sharon Lupton, United Way
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“United Way has made me a better person… because I’m not focused on me,” Young Kipp says. “My eyes are opened when I see what United Way does. We all grow and we all become better because of our involvement.”
During her 30-plus year career, Sharon has worked as a physical education teacher, coach, convenor and teacher on special assignment. As athletic coordinator, she was instrumental in securing funding for special projects and equipment, overseeing the needs of all the athletic leagues. Throughout her career, she has worked tirelessly for the improvement of school athletics.
With the London Health Sciences Centre’s Multi-Organ Transplant Team and the Kidney Foundation, Sharon was involved in developing a grade 11 health education unit on organ donation that has since been implemented by numerous school boards.
Sharon has also helped to raise funds for the YMCA’s Women of Excellence Awards and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. She is part of The University of Western Ontario’s Alumni Association and was Western’s 2005 Homecoming Chair.
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Lupton and Young Kipp with the
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Sharon has used her leadership and energy as an active member of the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation. She has been on committees since 1985 and has served as her branch president since 1997 and as an executive council member since 2004.
For over three decades, Sharon has been committed to improving lives and her community. She has inspired others to realize that they can have fun and change lives. “It doesn’t have to be stiff and straight to make the world a better place,” she says.
Her real hope – and perhaps her legacy - is that young people and adults alike will internalize the message of helping people. “Have it become a way of life, says Sharon. “Live your life like that.”
Labour Appreciation Awards
Laurie Cassel
CAW Local 27/Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc.
Laurie has many years of service with the United Way campaign at Electro-Motive Diesel and is, according to Employee Campaign Chair, Darryl Whaley, the “most involved committee member at the workplace. She is a tireless canvasser, a significant contributor to the committee and a great advocate for United Way at Electro-Motive”.
Sarah Collins 
Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario/
Thames Valley District School Board (Glen Carin Elementary School)
Sarah has worked on Glen Cairn’s United Way campaign for the past couple of years. And, this year she organized a presentation opportunity by a United Way Sponsored Employee that helped her peers understand the needs in the community. She also implemented a “Penny Campaign” to get the students involved by bringing in their pennies and small change. This effort generated a large number of coins from the students and staff to donate to United Way.
Moe Dean 
CAW Local 27/General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada
Moe has a long history with United Way through his workplace. Over the past 10 years, he has filled many roles including canvasser, United Way committee member and Jeans Day donation collector. He has also served as a United Way Sponsored Employee. Moe is not only a leader in terms of giving but he is also an ambassador for United Way in his city, community and workplace.
Ruth Draaisma 
Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association/
London District Catholic School Board (St. Patrick Catholic Elementary School)
Ruth put a lot of energy and enthusiasm into the United Way campaign at St. Patrick Catholic Elementary School. She was very proactive in her campaign efforts and led an extremely successful campaign. The student parliament’s activities raised $250. The students held three United Way fundraisers: Wacky Tacky Day for $1, an extra 10 minute recess for 50 cents and an intermediate Halloween Dance for $1.
John Kittelberger
CAW Local 1520/Ford Talbotville Assembly Plant
John has been the chair of the Ford United Way Committee for many years. During his tenure, John has overseen a number of highly successful campaigns at Ford despite being faced with challenges in his industry. In fact, the model that was developed at Ford has been adopted by other workplace campaigns. In addition to serving as chair of the committee, John can be found canvassing co-workers, selling raffle tickets and organizing workplace events: often on his own time. John has previously served United Way as a Sponsored Employee. The dedication that John displays goes beyond what is expected and shows that he is truly committed to making the community around him a better place to live. As John prepares to retire from his position, his colleagues will remember his long service and many accomplishments.
Alex Kulczycki
University of Western Ontario Staff Association/The University of Western Ontario
Alex has been instrumental for many years in The University of Western Ontario’s United Way campaign – one of the largest workplace campaigns, especially in employee participation. Alex oversees the entire process of sorting and delivering Western’s pledges… a major task indeed! Alex is a very committed volunteer and the campaign would not be as successful without his energy.
Karen Reid
CAW Local 88/CAMI Automotive Inc.
Karen has been a longtime supporter of the United Way campaign at CAMI. She has been involved as a canvasser for over 10 years and has also been involved with the CAMI/CAW Local 88 StairClimb team. Recently, Karen organized CAMI’s largest and most successful StairClimb team to date, raising over $8,000. Karen felt that by organizing a team in the face of the challenges confronting CAMI and the automotive industry, that she could divert the attention of her colleagues to a hopeful and important cause in the community. Her efforts were a huge success, and played a large role in inspiring others. The story was even picked up by local media.
Shannon Spadini
Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association/
London District Catholic School Board (St. Paul Catholic Elementary School)
Shannon did an excellent job at running the United Way campaign this year at St. Paul Catholic Elementary School. Shannon arranged for a Sponsored Employee presentation and, in general, took a very enthusiastic and proactive approach to fundraising. Thanks to the efforts of Shannon, St. Paul also entered a team into the United Way StairClimb.
Christine Wong
Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation/
Thames Valley District School Board
(Sir Frederick Banting Secondary School)
Chris has coordinated a United Way campaign at Banting for the past three years and has been instrumental in its success. She encourages 100% participation and runs a number of successful special events to help increase donations. Chris will be retiring after this year and is leaving big shoes to be filled.
Presenting awards: John Black (CAW Local 27), Vice Chair, Campaign Cabinet and Chuck Hounsell (TD Bank), Chair, Campaign Cabinet
Photos: Keith Blackwell