United Way column for Saturday, September 18, 2021
The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton has completed its first official week of campaigning and is approaching the first big campaign milestone, the 25% level.
“We are very close to $400,000 which represents 23% of the $1.75 Million goal,” said campaign chair Vicky Ducharme.
“The direct mail from retirees and local business is doing very well and is close to the pace we set during last year’s campaign,” Ducharme added. “We welcomed some new first-time donors this week and several previous donors increased their contribution this year over their 2020 amount,” she said. The online donation site at www.theunitedway.on.ca has received more than 50 online donations already this year.
Employee campaigns are at the center of the United Way. Cabot Canada commenced their employee drive which includes Cabot matching all employee contributions dollar for dollar.
Imperial is the largest of the industrial campaigns and has kicked off their fundraising drive as well. Ducharme said several other campaigns are also getting ready to start including NOVA Chemicals, the area’s largest employee campaign with a corporate match who will begin their employee fall fundraising this week.
New to the 2021 campaign, United Way of Sarnia-Lambton has partnered with Lambton Kia. During Kia’s Fall Upgrade Sale event, Lambton Kia will donate $100 from every vehicle sold Monday, September 20 until Wednesday, September 22, 2021. “We are excited for this new partnership,” she said. Lambton Kia is located on 95 Indian Road South in Sarnia.
Ducharme said that United Way will partner with a number of local businesses in Sarnia-Lambton this fall to raise money for the fall campaign, and to help promote local business in this very difficult time. “Local business has supported United Way throughout the years, and we are happy to work with them promoting their specialties while raising much needed funds for local programs and services,” she said.
In other United Way news, United Way of Sarnia-Lambton has joined WILL POWER, a national awareness campaign designed to inform Canadians that they can support their favourite charities through their will as well as leave an inheritance to children, family, and friends.
“Over the years, we have received gifts that had been willed to United Way. We have a unique program that when people leave part of their estate to United Way, the money is invested and 3.5% of the principle each year is directly invested into United Way funded programs. It is a nice feeling knowing you have left a legacy and that your donation as part of your estate will never be spent, and instead, 3.5% will be used for ongoing community services for ever,” Ducharme said.
The WILLPOWER website for the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton is
To donate to the United Way or to learn more about the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton, please visit www.theunitedway.on.ca or call 519 336-5452.
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Photo Caption:
Lambton Kia Sales Manager Clark Rake shows United Way Board Member Cathy Thompson a Kia Sorento, one of the several cars that are on the lot and available to be sold during the United Way promotion. Lambton Kia, at 95 Indian Road South in Sarnia will donate $100 to the United Way for every car sold during their Fall Upgrade Sale from September 20 till September 22, 2021
