United Way Column for Saturday, November 13, 2021
The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton hit the 50% mark if it’s $1.75 million campaign goal this week.
“I am pleased to report that we have achieved $890,000 from over 1600 individual donors. Our growth this week was thanks in large part to the Imperial corporate donation, which committed $150,000 towards this year’s drive.
“It is difficult to get an accurate picture of where the campaign progress stands when comparing to the 2020 campaign. Several people donated earlier last year because of COVID. We do know that our campaign donations are slower this year and we are concerned,” said Vicky Ducharme, Campaign Chair.
Ducharme pointed out that the United Way has just completed week nine of the 15-week campaign as the fundraising drive officially ends December 31, 2021. She added that there are still many large employee campaigns that are in the early stages of their fundraising, and several campaigns that traditionally kick off in November.
“We have completed the first round of follow up letters to those retirees who gave in past years, but not yet this year. These letters went to anyone who has a former employer that will match donations dollar for dollar. Retiree letters include those from NOVA Chemicals, Shell Canada, ARLANXEO, Pembina and others, as the deadline for their match is quickly approaching,” she said. “In fact, the donation deadline for Shell Canada is November 19, 2021,” said added.
The Shell Canada employee campaign team has been working hard to boost employee giving through payroll deduction. Shell retirees traditionally make up the largest percentage of donations at the Sarnia Manufacturing Centre. The Shell-United Way volunteer team has been bringing awareness to the site with fundraising events in addition to the employee pledge drive. Shell ran its annual chili lunch as well as a drive-thru breakfast held earlier this fall.
Retiree donations can be made by calling the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton office at 519-336-5452 or online at www.theunitedway.on.ca and indicate which company you have retired from.
The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton recently announced a frozen meal takeout event at the Dante Club at 1330 London Road in Sarnia. Orders are now being taken for a variety of frozen meals for pick up at the Dante Club between 3 PM and 6 PM on Giving Tuesday, Tuesday, November 30, 2021.
“I would like to thank our sponsors, Libro Credit Union for bringing us the dinner, but also the Lambton Cattlemen’s Association has generously donated 60 pounds of local ground beef, while Ontario Pork in Lambton County generously donated 60 pounds of local ground pork,” said Ducharme.
Ducharme said this is the 2nd Annual Frozen Take-Out Dinner event for United Way. “People are excited to have some frozen meal options that they can pull out of the freezer as the Christmas season approaches,” said Ducharme. “Life is busy, and this is a great way to support United Way on Giving Tuesday and free up some extra time by not having to think what’s for dinner tonight!?”
Meals available for order include Homemade Lasagna — Fresh lasagna noodles layered with Dante meat sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan: large pan weighs about 4 kg and serves 9 or more; the small is approximately 1 kg and serves 2-3 people; Penne al Forno – penne pasta with Dante meat sauce, mozzarella and parmesan; and Rigatoni al Forno is a new dish being served at the Dante Club. It’s rigatoni pasta with Dante rose sauce, crumbled mild Italian pork sausage, mozzarella & parmesan.
All meals must be pre-ordered online at www.theunitedway.on.ca in the events section.
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Photo Caption
Darcy Vink, Shell Canada United Way Committee Member serves chili to Jeff Maclean as part of the United Way employee campaign at Shell. Shell Canada will match all employee and retiree donations until November 19, 2021. The overall United Way campaign has hit 50% I was $1.75 million goal. Sarnia-Lambton residents can donate to the United Way online at www.theunitedway.on.ca or by calling 519 336-5452.
