Aoife Fulton
Policy Analyst
Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
When I joined the OPS just a year ago, I was the new kid on the block and looking for a way to meet people across my ministry. Then I saw a call for volunteers for Federated Health Charities. Honestly, there didn’t seem to be many takers, so I thought, “Well, someone’s got to bring the party – might as well be me!” I got my manager’s approval and dove right in.
And then I went wild! I tried to raise as much money as possible. Was it easy? Nope. Sometimes it feels like convincing people to join a fundraiser is harder than convincing them to give up their Starbucks. But hey, I love a challenge – and I wasn’t about to let that stop me.
My secret weapon? Humor. I have a flair for writing emails that grab attention. People tell me my messages ‘make their day,’ which I take as a compliment. I consider myself a funny gal, and I use that to motivate colleagues – whether it’s through games, prizes, or just making fundraising fun. For me, it was a way to connect with people while doing something meaningful.
Federated Health is personal for me. My mom suffers from dementia, and that’s been very difficult. So, supporting organizations that make a real difference hits close to home. This isn’t just about dollars – it’s about impact.
Before joining the OPS, I spent over 20 years with the City of Toronto where I also volunteered for workplace fundraisers. When I saw Federated Health here, I didn’t hesitate. I love that 100% of the money raised goes to the health charities, that it began and exists only inside the OPS, and reading the stories from other OPS’ers really moved me. Honestly, I was surprised more people weren’t into it. Like, come on – games, prizes, and helping people? What’s not to love?
Joining the Advisory Council was a natural next step. Our voices matter – if something isn’t working, we share that with FHC. For example, I wanted to run a game but couldn’t because of licensing rules. So how do we work around that? How do we cut the red tape so we can raise money everywhere we go? That’s why I joined – to make fundraising easier, smarter, and way more fun.
Federated Health is important work. It’s near and dear to me, and it gave me the chance to network, contribute, and make a difference – all while bringing a little sass and a lot of laughs along the way.
