Column for Saturday, November 27, 2021
As November draws to a close so do several United Way employee giving campaigns.
Tuesday, November 30th marks the end of the ARLANXEO campaign and Wednesday, December 1st marks the campaign close for employees at NOVA Chemicals. Both companies offer a matching donation program to their employees and retirees.
“I wanted to offer a final reminder to all employees and retirees who planned to donate to the United Way this fall that there are a few options available if they would like to make their donation. If you have given in the past to United Way as an employee and have now retired, we have a donation portal at www.theunitedway.on.ca or you can call the Sarnia-Lambton United Way office at 519-336-5452,” said Campaign Chair Vicky Ducharme.
“We also have a number of people each week who stop by the United Way office at 1362 Lambton Mall Road to make their donations in person. We will process their donations and they can walk out with a charitable gift receipt for tax purposes this year,” she added. The United Way office in Sarnia is located on Lambton Mall Road between Mall Road Library and M & M Meats.
Presently, the campaign has reached $955,000 and hopes to raise $1,750,000 by the end of the year.
To date, 1,800 people have pledged their support to the United Way campaign. In all, Ducharme estimates that more than 3,500 donors will be needed to reach that $1.75 Million.
Several of the funded agencies are also holding events this year.
Lambton Elderly Outreach (LEO), headquartered in Reeces Corners is having a raffle and the grand prize is a large screen smart TV. Anyone can purchase tickets for their draw which takes place next month. Tickets are available by calling their office at 519-845-1353.
LEO offers a number of programs to rural seniors including transportation services to medical appointments, grocery stores etc. The agency also provides Meals on Wheels in Lambton County. Subsidies for Meals on Wheels and Transportation services are 2 of 40 programs across Lambton County that receive United Way funding.
New Beginnings, ABI, & Stroke Recovery held a spaghetti lunch this week to raise funds for the 2021 campaign. The spaghetti lunch has been so popular in years past and the agency is also selling fruit pies.
New Beginnings offers a variety of programming for local residents that have acquired a brain injury or stroke.
The Canadian Red Cross has plans for an auction that will be open to the public for bids. Once the auction is live, the link will be on the United Way website. The Red Cross in Sarnia offers Transportation services and Meals on Wheels similar to LEO, but within the city of Sarnia. United Way also funds the Homeward Bound program that transports people from BWH to their home in the northern region of Lambton County.
Pre-orders for the 2nd Annual Libro Credit Union Giving Tuesday Frozen Dinner Take Out are coming to an end. Ducharme wanted to remind people to get their orders in for the Homemade Frozen Lasagne, Rigatoni al Forno with meat sauce, and Penne al Forno with sausage by Monday at noon, and pick up is on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 from the Dante Club.
Ticket sales also continue for the monthly United Way 50/50 draws. The next jackpot sponsored by Sarnia and District Labour Council is December 15, 2021. Tickets are available at www.united5050.ca.
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Photo Caption:
Lynnette VanLandeghem, of New Beginnings, ABI $ Stroke Recovery assists member Margaret Mitchell with her spaghetti at the New Beginnings fundraising lunch to raise funds for the United Way. New Beginnings run a number of programs in Sarnia for individuals who have an acquired brain injury or stroke, and is one of 20 funded agencies of the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton
