Sarnia Observer column for Saturday, September 4, 2021

The fundraising has begun at the United Way in an attempt to get an early start to this falls campaign season.

“We were delighted to have a return of the annual Sarnia Sting Black and White game in support of the United Way,” campaign chair Vicky Ducharme.

“Our Black and White game was a different format this year, but it was great to see the Sarnia Sting back on the ice, and so many Sarnia Sting and United Way of Sarnia-Lambton supporters in the arena,” said Ducharme.    The Sarnia Sting will donate all net proceeds from the game to the 2021 United Way campaign.  “We missed the game last year, so we were very pleased to have it back.  The game raises much needed money for the United Way as well as some much needed pre-campaign awareness,” she said.

In addition to the Black and White scrimmage hockey game, Pembina Pipelines is in the midst of their two fundraising events. The traditional Meats for Eats raffle is now on. Individuals can purchase a $10 raffle ticket in hopes of winning a $1000 gift certificate from Davey Jones in Sarnia plus a $500 prepaid Visa.

Anybody interested in purchasing the raffle ticket can you call the United Way at 519-336-5452, or log on the new United Way at Sarnia-Lambton website at www.theunitedway.on.ca, and click the events tab on the top right.

Pembina employees are also hosting their first ever golf tournament on Monday, September 13, 2021.  The golf tournament is open to the public, and there are four Hole in One Challenges all sponsored by Ron Clark Ford in Petrolia including a paid up lease for a 2021 vehicle. A foursome is just $400.  Hole eligibility is $480 which includes the foursome, and includes a chance for all four golfers to win any of the four Hole in One Challenges.  More information is also available on the United Way website, or by calling the United Way office.

The United Way of Sarnia Lambton province-wide 50-50 draw is at the midway point of it first raffle, with the prize board being drawn on September 15, 2021 which will coincide with this year’s United Way campaign kick off.

“I like to congratulate our first ever 50-50 early bird drawing winner, Nicole Lougheed, and encourage anyone in the community to join in on the fun and play. To purchase your tickets for the United Way 50-50 draw, logon to www.united5050.ca.

In addition to a number of events that are in the early planning stages, a number of the industrial campaigns have already begun putting plans in place for this fall’s employee pledge drive.

INEOS Styrolution, Imperial, Shell Canada, Cabot Canada, and NOVA Chemicals are just a few of the employee campaigns that are set the kick off their fundraising efforts.

Ducharme went on to say that this year’s campaign to raise $1,750,000 will be a challenge, but she is confident that with all of the new initiatives and strategies this year, plus renewed excitement in the campaign following the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, the 1.75M target can be reached by the end of the year.

Currently, the United Way has received nearly 20% of this year’s campaign and the thermometer currently sits at $285,000.  Ducharme said much of that recent campaign achievement is thanks to the many retired donors in our community and small businesses that have responded to our annual mailer campaign.  Already, more than 30 people have also already donated online through the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton website.

“The retiree contributions in our community has been growing significantly in the past couple of years, and I’m glad to see we are off to a great start. Many of the retirees have been mailed their letters already, with Imperial annuitants and NOVA retirees to be mailed out shortly.

To donate to this year’s campaign, please visit the local website at www.theunitedway.on.ca, or give the office a call at 519 336-5452. The United Way office in Sarnia is located at 1362 Lambton Mall Road in Sarnia.

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