87 Reasons to Give to United Way

From October 2010:
 

Art will be at it again this weekend for us. For what you might ask?
Well, Art Wilson never ceases to amaze us and in honour of his 87^th birthday, is going to be collecting donations for our United Way of Cambridge and North Dumfries. He’ll be sitting at the YMCA of Cambridge in their lobby for Fri. Oct. 1 and Sat. Oct. 2 (Oct. 2 is his actual birthday). He hopes to raise over $5,000. I did the calculations yesterday and was shocked when I realized that n total, over the past 9 years, Art has raised approximately $44,000 for the United Way of Cambridge and North Dumfries.
Art is an amazing example of someone who LIVES UNITED in his community. He gives of himself because he can and because he just wants to help people. We can all learn something from Art Wilson!
For those of you who don’t know, or who need a refresher...Art originally started collecting pledges for our United Way in October 2001 when he first did the CN Tower Stair Climb to raise money for us. At the time, Art was 78 years old. He completed the climb of 1776 stairs in just over 25 minutes. More proof of why art is amazing!
Art has completed the CN Tower Stair Climb a number of years since, and has also overcome in the recent past, 2 knee replacements, and prostate cancer. Art thought that his climb in 2007 would be his last. In 2008, with improved health and permission from his doctor, Art delayed a personal trip to Scotland to climb the CN Tower for us one more time.
Last year, Art collected pledges for the United Way on behalf of Gary Hapke, Community Branch Manager for the Scotiabank, and Gord McSevney, a local lawyer, who had a competitive squash game to raise money for the United Way.
Art told me the other day, “I don’t want any gifts for my birthday, but I’ll take gifts for the United Way. I just want to help people.“ Art’s generosity and dedication are truly inspiring and we are so thankful for his efforts to make our community better. He is our secret weapon for fundraising. He’s amazing at raising money for us; he tells jokes, he makes people smile, and he’s very persuasive! People can’t say ‘no’ to Art”. Please visit him at the YMCA this Fri. or Sat., wish him a Happy 87th Birthday, and make a donation to the United Way of Cambridge and North Dumfries.
Thanks Art!