Preserving the United Way's Story

The United Way has always had a gift for telling stories that connect with people. From the 1950s through to the early 1980s, they produced public service announcements, training films and short movies that showed people why giving mattered. Some taught volunteers how to fundraise, others explained the impact of donations, and many captured the spirit of communities coming together. Every now and then a famous face would appear, from Johnny Cash to Chuck Norris, helping to share the message. 

"Generosity is Timeless"

Recently, Digital Works Canada was asked to bring this history back to life. We opened their archival boxes and found VHS tapes, 16mm film reels, Betacam and Umatic cassettes, even MiniDVs. Each one carried a piece of the United Way’s story. Put together, they showed how the organization spoke to donors, volunteers and communities over the years. 

“Our job was not just to digitize tapes and film,” said Jeff Knoll, CEO of Digital Works Canada. “It was to make sure a vital piece of Canada’s charitable history would not be lost. These stories shaped how generations of Canadians understood the power of giving.” 

The work took time and care. Every tape and reel had to be sorted, catalogued, cleaned and carefully digitized. Some were scratched or dusty. Some were fragile with age. We spent hours bringing the images back to life, brightening faded scenes and sharpening details so the stories could be seen clearly again.  

Those films and tapes may be showing age, but the stories inside them still shine

“Working through those materials, you could feel the weight of what the United Way accomplished,” Jeff reflected. “Every film and tape was a snapshot of a moment in time, showing people why it matters to help others. It reminded us [that] that need has a history of its own, and that generosity is timeless.” 

Those films and tapes may be showing age, but the stories inside them still shine. Now preserved as a digital archive, they can be seen and shared again as reminders of a time when charity shaped communities.  

For us, working on this project was a privilege, and we are grateful to know these stories will live on. 

- Digital Works Canada