Osler & United Way
We can make a difference & build better communities
Since 1991, Osler’s Canadian offices have raised over $15 million to support United Way and its network of agencies in delivering vital social services across Canada. In 2018, Osler raised over $1.5 million in support of United Way Centraide's work in local communities, and was named United Way Centraide's 2018 "Thanks a Million" recipient. In 2019, we marked our 20th year as United Way Toronto's top fundraising campaign within the legal sector.
Osler’s ethic of “giving back” and equal opportunity is embedded in our culture and runs deep through the entire firm. From articling students to senior partners, we contribute as a team to the United Way campaign with the collective goal of making a difference in the communities where we live and work. Al Meghji, Taxation Partner and United Way donor sums up Osler’s commitment: “We have an uncompromising attitude when it comes to supporting United Way. There is a belief to the core that if United Way succeeds, our firm’s values get projected outward into the community.”
At Osler, we are inspired by United Way’s real impact on the well-being of our communities. Wendy Rickey, Senior Manager, Partner Administration and United Way Employee Campaign Chair explains, “[United Way] makes a huge difference to the community and in individual people’s lives. People give to people – if you impact one person, you cause a ripple effect.” She emphasizes how crucial it is for our firm members to feel directly connected to their communities: “It gives us a sense of satisfaction to give back and it brings us together as a firm.” John Macfarlane, Corporate Partner and United Way Leadership Chair adds, “Supporting United Way is one of the most unifying things we do as a firm. United Way benefits and we as a team benefit – it resonates very deeply for us to see work being done and makes us feel more closely bound to the community.”
Osler’s United Way Committee, “our million dollar team,” organizes firm-wide fundraising, volunteer and social events, from annual plant sales to city-wide races. Our GenNext Committee of volunteers in their 20s and 30s also helps raise funds and awareness for the United Way through youth programs and events.
United Way is the largest private-sector supporter of social services in Toronto, dedicated to creating necessary opportunities for people to improve their lives and build a better future. Fuelled by groundbreaking research and powerful partnerships, they identify social gaps and responsibly mobilize volunteer and financial resources to effectively drive positive and lasting change where we all live, work and raise our families.
Learn more about how Osler is making a difference with United Way [PDF].