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economist suntribune charity saturday sept 7 2002 cummings aims to increase skimpy united way donations by mike adler staff writer we give to our united way in york region less than half what is given to other united ways in ontario think that doesnt matter this is a region where the emergency shelters are over crowded and 130 people wait for help at the canadian national institute for the blind a place where 90 women who want to be big sisters for girls who need them are forced to be patient and where 5000 families are on a list for afford able housing but doug cummings is determined to make a dent in our charitable deficit at noon next saturday the united way of york region will release its 2002 campaign goal in style at buttonville airport on 16th avenue east of hwy 404 in markham a vicepresident of bce emergis in thornhill mr cummings 44 is campaign chairperson for a charity umbrella that delivers 124 pro grams through 37 agencies the united way assists one in every three york region resi dents but growth and the needs of a diverse community are sad dling its social agencies with long waiting lists doug cummings this years york region united way campaign kicks off at buttonville airport when overcrowded services refuse to turn clients away the quality of that service can suffer mr cummings said this week you put six people in a room thats designed for three those are the sort of things you do that would change if york residents matched the average united way contribution in ontario 16 per person per year so far our average is only 772 mr cummings acknowl edged many residents here donate through workplaces in toronto contributing to that citys united way but he suggested each com munity should look after its own needs campaign volunteers have worked for months to convince businesses here to become more involved in local fundrais- ing theyve confirmed 169 employee campaigns including 25 new ones we had a team of about 50 business leaders making calls since april said mr cummings an exunionville resident and married father of four daughters who has lived worked and played in york region since 1975 the sept 14 campaign kick- off with airplane and helicop ter rides from 10 am to 3 pm coincides with the private airfields annual open house its a fun day kids just have a great time mr cummings said both events and parking are free we have a variety of family activities planned and would especially like to invite people whove never visited their local airport to drop by said derek sifton vice president of toronto airways limited which oper ates the facility ibhmmb hwy 48 north of hwy 7 eppert buy two items at regular ticket price receive third item of lower regular price free all sales final no holds no layaways no special orders 137 main st v markham 9052943882 wwwpeppertreeca open 7 days a week markham falrgretiiids the home shotv with a difference 3 days of unlimited sales opportunities featuring pet pavilion in the kitchen healthy lifestyle centre kidsmart building renovation interior design decor yrn events management tdk ion htttrt ou call today to secure prime exhibit space at this sales building event wwwmarkhamhomeshowcom chouinard bros nooriuc aiuuimuu windows fe homes ruouhhina nnour murjtvillcjfojril ronoiifsjcxjlisjayx 905 6421908 ext 232 188821 17288 ext 232 n i i i 1 f