Odlum Brown has proudly supported United Way dating back to the 1930s, when one of our founders, Victor Odlum, was the first Board Chair of the Vancouver Welfare Foundation (now known as United Way British Columbia). United Way British Columbia serves the needs of our local community by empowering residents to improve their neighbourhoods, responding to emerging community issues, providing outreach programs for youth and seniors and igniting a desire to improve the place we call home. To address the critical needs of British Columbians impacted by the devastating wildfires and flooding in 2021, Odlum Brown donated $25,000 to United Way BC’s United for BC Wildfire Recovery Fund and $25,000 to the United for BC Flood Response Fund.
The longevity of this commitment is largely due to the contributions and ongoing engagement of our team members, who volunteer for the annual employee fundraising committee – coming together to raise funds for this valuable organization and plan creative group events such as Spooky Golf, Family Feud and an always popular live auction. In 2020 and 2021, in light of the global pandemic, the committee took their activities virtual and offered innovative online activities such as baking classes, an auction, a virtual fitness competition and a game of Survivor.
In 2019, we were recognized with the United Way Spirit Award in the GenNext category, celebrating our inclusion of the GenNext demographic in our corporate giving campaign. Thanks to the generosity and actions of our team members, Odlum Brown has been recognized as a United Way Top Contributor, and it is our largest annual employee-giving initiative, raising approximately $3.4 million in the last 12 years, including more than $336,000 in 2021 alone!
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Why did you get involved?
“I believe very strongly in what the United Way represents – their vision of a healthy, caring, inclusive community and their support of youth, seniors and the community at large. They have been improving local lives in the communities we call home since 1930, and to play a small part in this is so rewarding.
I am very proud to be part of our United Way fundraising committee. Our campaign is a well-loved, month-long tradition every October at Odlum Brown. Not only do team members raise an amazing amount of money each year, but we have great fun doing it, all while raising awareness for the incredible work this organization does! We have a great group working on this campaign every year, and it is incredible to see the impact a small group of dedicated people can make."
– Cathy Greer, Marketing & Sponsorship Manager, Vancouver
"Volunteering with Odlum Brown for the United Way campaign has been a gratifying experience. In particular, seeing first-hand how the organization impacts youth and seniors so positively in our local communities makes you feel like you are dedicating time to initiatives that will make a big difference for people who need a helping hand. And, our month-long campaign is a lot of fun, too."
– Jimmy Rogers, Investment Advisor, Vancouver
"Volunteering with Odlum Brown’s United Way Committee is a ton of fun! I get to work with colleagues from all across the firm to plan fundraising and awareness events, like our signature Family Feud competition. Each year, I am inspired and heartened by everyone’s generosity and commitment to support our local communities through the United Way. Their programs to address seniors’ isolation and loneliness and their focus on helping young people thrive really resonate with me, and I am honoured to play a small role in these initiatives."
– Laura McAlear, Research Communications Coordinator and Executive Assistant, Vancouver