Roxanne Riddell has made a career of serving and strengthening the community.

And on Tuesday, her passion for community-building took centre stage as Riddell, who is interim director of community impact at United Way Elgin Middlesex, received an honorary diploma from Fanshawe College during the school’s fall graduation ceremonies.

Calling the honour both surprising and humbling, Riddell addressed new graduates with words of congratulations and challenge.

She urged graduates to make a personal commitment to their community.

“Engage with it. Broaden your vision. Use your voice, even if you’re scared speechless,” Riddell said.

“Make enriching the lives of others an integral part of enriching your own.”

Nominated by Fanshawe’s board of governors, honorary diploma recipients “must have a unique and outstanding impact at local, provincial, national or global levels,” Sandra Fieber, dean of Fanshawe’s School of Community Studies, said in her introduction.

Fieber noted Riddell has deep ties to the region, with extensive experience in fundraising and community development in the charitable and not-for-profit sector.

Prior to joining the United Way team in 2013, Riddell served as a Senior Development Officer for St. Joseph’s Health Care Foundation, the Client Services Manager for Tim Horton Children’s Foundation, Regional Director of Katimavik BC/Yukon, and as Camping and Outdoor Centre Manager for YMCA-YWCA of Vancouver Island and YMCA Western Ontario.

She is actively involved in several committees including the Child & Youth Network (CYN London) and the Elgin-St Thomas Coalition to End Poverty; is a member of Central Council of the London & Middlesex Local Immigration Partnership Project; and served as the Project Manager of London For All – A Roadmap to End Poverty for the City of London.

Riddell is a graduate of Fanshawe College and has Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees from Lakehead University and University of British Columbia.

Mario had good life and a job as a chef. Then, about the time his vision started to dim, his life began to spiral: mental health, homelessness, addiction, isolation. 

On Oct. 25, Mario told a group of United Way Elgin Middlesex’s leading supporters that he now feels connected and supported through the services offered by the London Coffee House. 

“I’ve had my share of ups and downs,” he added, “and the place I got peace of mind was the Coffee House. It’s not just the coffee – it’s the love they share.” 

Themed ReUnited: Building a community where everyone matters, the fireside chat featured conversations with a range of speakers who told stories of struggle and transformation. And participants learned more about the strategic impact United Way makes by investing donor dollars, collaborating with community and government partners and advocating for issues that matter to our community. 

United Way 2022 Campaign Chair Alyson Paisley said the event was a thank you for attendees’ investment in the community – a closer look at some challenges and successes facing people in the region – and a pitch for continued support. 

“I’m continuously thankful for the many generous individuals like yourselves who donate and make an impact,” Paisley said. “The giving of time, energy, money and support is what creates deep connections within our community.” 

The event was sponsored by McCormick Canada.

Resilience and hope  

Smiles and fist bumps were as plentiful as the food, when lunch was served outside The London Coffee House, a drop-in program run by CMHA Thames Valley Addiction and Mental Health Services and funded by United Way Elgin Middlesex.

London Coffee House – a drop-in centre and a connection point for wrap-around services for neighbours in need – is supported through United Way Elgin Middlesex. 

“Sometimes we are the only friendly face they see in the day. We meet them where they’re at and, whatever they need, we connect them to it,” said Kristy Bell, manager of outreach services at CMHA Thames Valley Mental Health and Addiction Services, which operates the Coffee House and My Sisters’ Place.

Bell said the number of people using the services has doubled. What gives her hope is their resilience, optimism and kindness. “People are still people, regardless of their circumstances.” 

‘Then’ and ‘now’

Last year, the annual fireside chat with leading supporters – from all sectors and walks of life – took place virtually, online.  

Being reunited this year is worth celebrating, said Kelly Ziegner, President and CEO of United Way Elgin Middlesex. 

“But like any reunion, after a few years away we see more clearly the differences between the ‘then’ and the ‘now’,” she noted. “The past two years have been exceptionally tough for people already on the margins. 

“The elderly, children, families in precarious employment. People with mental health and addiction challenges. People who have housing and people who are unhoused. 

“We need to acquaint ourselves – or reacquaint ourselves – with those stories too. The gritty parts, as well as the good,” Ziegner said. 

Paisley said stories such as Mario’s are a microcosm of the 110,000 people in the region who were helped last year through more than 50 United Way funded services and programs. 

Donors help United Way support local agencies that provide basic needs, poverty reduction and prevention, and housing security. 

When Jim Braddon joined United Way as the McCormick Canada Sponsored Employee in 1998, he brought a huge amount of energy and commitment to the role. He was a larger than life character who believed passionately in helping others and inspired all those around him to do more than they thought possible. His work helped to grow and strengthen the United Way Campaign that year, and for many years to come.  

Jim was a “once-in-a-lifetime” Sponsored Employee. Except, of course, he was not just “once-in-a-lifetime” because he chose to come back as a Sponsored Employee every single year until 2013! Right up to the COVID-19 lock down in 2020, he was still volunteering at United Way events and showing up at our offices to check we were doing things properly.

Jim brought his hard work, dedication and, above all, his sense of humour to every Campaign and every task. He cultivated his “grumpy guy” persona but loved nothing more than to surprise people and make them laugh. He was always right there with a one-liner, to remind us all not to take ourselves too seriously, and he was also right there with a helping hand and true generosity. He understood hardship and his deep empathy shone through in everything he did.

Jim was at home in any environment and befriended everyone, from CEOs to front desk staff, wherever he went. Over the years, he took countless people under his wing as a friend and mentor. His dedication to United Way, the Optimists, the Kidney Foundation, and many other causes helped make our community a better place and directly helped hundreds of people over the years. 

Jim will be sorely missed by everyone who was lucky enough to know him and his loss will be deeply felt across our community.

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