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Sarnia Observer column, Saturday, October 2, 2021
 
The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton campaign is inching closer to the half-million dollar level and is currently sitting at $475,000.
 
“We are pleased with our progress to date, and very impressed with our retirees and overall direct mail donations so far,” said Campaign Chair Vicky Ducharme.   
 
Ducharme went on to say that the three largest employee campaigns are now underway, with Imperial leading the pack, followed by NOVA Chemicals, and Shell Canada.
 
NOVA Chemicals and Shell Canada match all employee and retiree contributions, and combined with Imperial, raise approximately 45% the entire United Way of Sarnia- Lambton campaign.
 
The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton’s goal this year is $1,750,000 and is nearing the 30% mark with donations from over 935 individuals.    
 
The LCBO Point of Sale Campaign and employee pledge drive is also picking up steam.  Anyone who visits an LCBO store in the province of Ontario, including all of those in Sarnia and Lambton County will be asked to make a donation to United Way when they check out.  Employees at the LCBO are kindly asking customers if they like to donate two dollars, five dollars, or $10 to the United Way.  Ducharme said that last year almost $30,000 was raised by the local LCBO employees and their very generous customers.
“I want to thank the LCBO employees who will continue with their own campaign and the point-of-sale campaign until after Thanksgiving,” she said.
 
During the month of October, The Bagel Factory will donate one dollar from every dozen bagels sold to the United Way is Sarnia-Lambton.   In March we worked with the Bagel Factory for the first time and raised $1700.   “We are delighted that The Bagel Factory along with other small and local businesses are approaching us to hold such events, “said Ducharme.
 
The Bagel Factory is located at 1152 London Road in Sarnia, and this month’s promotion will include any of the 18 varieties of bagels and is lunching their new product, pumpkin spice cream cheese at the Factory.
 
“We anticipate announcing more partnerships with other small and local business later this fall, “said Ducharme.
 
The recent Pembina – United Way golf tournament at Kingswell Glen Golf Club in Petrolia was a success. Teams braved the torrential rain to help raise money for United Way.  Pembina then matched all donations bringing the days total to over $29,000. Pembina’s Meats for Eats tickets are also on sale at the United Way office.  Tickets are $10 each for a chance to win a $1000 Davey Jones gift card and a $500 prepaid visa.  To purchase your ticket call Rebecca Brander at 519-336-5452 ext. 8 or online at www.theunitedway.on.ca.    
 
Presently, the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton funds 20 agencies that provide over 40 programs and services throughout Sarnia and Lambton County.
United Way’s work focuses on three key strategies that create opportunities for everyone in our community to live a better life. People in poverty, helping kids to better handle lifes challenges, make and building a strong and healthy community.
Ducharme said it was discussed at the board in the first quarter of this year, that the needs in our community are changing, and changing quickly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. She pointed out that many of these needs will be in our community long past the pandemic. 
 
 
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Photo caption:
 
United Way of Sarnia-Lambton board member Kathy Sitter, is served a bagel with the new pumpkin spice cream cheese by Kaylene Tynan.  The Bagel Factory will donate one dollar from each dozen Bagels sold to the United Way for the entire month of October.