United Way column for Saturday, November 12, 2022
The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton campaign is inching closer to the 50% mark and is currently sitting at 46% of the $1.65 million needs target.
“We have $65,000 to raise to get us to that 50% mark, as currently we are sitting at $765,000,” said the 2022 United Way campaign chair, Vicky Ducharme.
“Our direct mail and online contributions has definitely slowed down in the past week, however we are eagerly awaiting some of the industrial campaigns to wrap up and report, on their figures, “she said. “Under normal circumstances, we would prefer to be closer to 50% of the needs target by this stage, so clearly, the progress in the campaign has slowed in the last week. I hope things will pick back up again as we approach middle of November, and more campaigns kicking off,” she said.
“We have, however, seen an uptick in the number of stock donations this week from donors who have transferred some stocks and mutual funds to the United Way,” she said. Donating stock is easy to do, according to Ducharme, who said the transfer form is available on the United Way website, or by calling the United Way office at 519 336-5452. To maximum the tax credit, donors must transfer the actual shares to the United Way and NOT sell them first.
The Styrolution, and Pembina employee campaigns, wrapped up this week, and both are looking to be up over last year’s results.
Dow in Corunna just commenced their employee drive and will be announcing their corporate donation soon.
Ducharme was pleased to announce its annual Frozen Meal Take Out Event with their partner the Dante Club. “We will have new menu items this year as well as traditional favourites, “Ducharme said.
Frozen takeout meals this year will include, large lasagna for $59; Large and small Frozen Rigatoni al forno for $44.00 and $16; three and eight piece frozen Cabbage Rolls for $11.00 and $23, and small chicken or Beef pot pies for $19 each.
To order your meals, please visit www.theunitedway.on.ca, or click here (https://theunitedway.on.ca/news-events/events-fundraisers/) for a direct link to the online order form.
Frozen meals can be picked up on Tuesday, November 29, from 3 PM until 5:15 PM at the Dante Club on London Road in Sarnia.
“I would really like to thank our sponsors as well as our partner, the Dante Club. Libro Credit Union is our primary sponsor. The Lambton Cattlemen, and Ontario Pork are also providing locally raised beef and pork for the event. Berry Hill Farms in Warwick, has contributed the cabbage for the cabbage rolls, which is a new menu item this year,” Ducharme said. “The Lambton Cattlemen have been huge supporters of ours for years and have been great to work with. Since we began our Frozen Meal events, Ontario Pork has also been a great supporter. We are grateful to both groups” she said.
“I have purchased the lasagne every year and I can tell you it is a popular menu item on our christmas table during the Christmas holidays,” Ducharme said. “In previous years, a number of people bought multiple frozen meals, and stored them in their freezer during the busy Christmas season for when friends and family stop by for dinner,” she added.
The large lasagna and rigatoni al forno will typically serve 6 to 8 people. The order deadline is Sunday, November 27, at 6 PM.
More than 30 local programs and services provided by 18 local agencies depend on United Way funding in Sarnia-Lambton.
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Photo Caption:
Brian Dunn, Executive Chef at The Dante Club, Dave Brown, United Way, Make Campbell, Ontario Park, and Cathy Thompson, Libro Credit Union and sponsor of the 2022 Frozen Meals Take out Event stand with 90 pounds of donated local ground pork that will be used in the Rigatoni al forno, and cabbage Rolls available for preorder on the United Way website at www.theunitedway.on.ca. Ralph Eyre representing the Lambton Cattlemen is not in the photo as a result of harvesting. The Lambton Cattlemen have donated roast and ground beef for decades to the United Way. Lasagna and pot pies are also available for order.
