United Way column for Saturday, October 8, 2022
After three weeks of campaigning, the United Way has reached 30% of the $1.65 million needs target.
“We are obviously still in the early innings of the campaign, having just completed three of 15 weeks, but we’re pleased to be sitting at 30% of our target at this point, “said Vicky Ducharme, the 2022 Campaign Chair.
The areas largest employee campaign, Imperial, held a number of events already, including a farmers market, and a bake sale this week. The Imperial employee campaign volunteers are also planning grab and go lunches, and have just commenced their online auction, open to employees only.
The Imperial corporate donation has arrived and is included in the tally so far, as are employee and annuitant contributions to date.
“Our direct mail is coming in strong,” Ducharme said, “We are just now sending out our follow up mailing, which goes to retirees, people who work from home, small businesses, and professionals who’ve given in previous years, but not yet this year,” she said.
Reliance Home Comfort just wrapped up their campaign today, and employees at Reliance held a number of events during their two week campaign including a crockpot lunch, and various donor draws this week. Reliance employees have demonstrated increasing United Way support in recent years, and the Sarnia office is one of the top performers on a per capita basis for the company.
Cabot Canada also began their campaign this week, with an employee barbeque on Tuesday. Cabot Canada will again match all employees contributions dollar for dollar, and they hope to build on the momentum from last year.
“We have just two weeks remaining in the LCBO campaign,” Ducharme said. “I can assure customers and employees that your contributions at the till, be it $2, $5, or $10, does add up, and does make its way back to Sarnia-Lambton.
Last year, almost $33,000 was raised through this campaign, and we are hopeful we can match last year’s generosity. We really want to thank all of the LCBO customers, and of course the staff for their participation and engagement in this activity,” she said. Ducharme said the $33,000 from last year also includes staff contributions.
The local education campaigns will begin shortly as well, first with the St. Clair Catholic District School Board next week, and the Lambton Kent Board of Education in November.
Both school boards will have an online only campaign, where teachers, and other board staff will receive up to five emails over a five week period asking them to support the United Way in either Sarnia-Lambton, or in Chatham Kent. “The emails will focus on the programs and services each of the United Ways support, particularly those focused on youth and mental health, which no doubt touch each classroom throughout our region” Ducharme said.
In other United Way news, United Way is about to commence its annual review process for funding programs. Any agencies who provide programs that directly address poverty, youth, mental health, and services for an ageing population who may be looking for funding, can visit the United Way website at www.theunitedway.on.ca, to learn more about the review process, and how their agency or services may qualify for funding in 2023.
Photo caption:
The United Way LCBO point-of-sale campaign has two weekends remaining, and Niki Rivait and store Manager Jason Killingsworth prepare for their day to ask customers to donate $2, $5, or $10 at the till when paying for their LCBO purchases, The campaign raised almost $33,000 in 2021 and this year’s campaign will end on Sunday, October 16, 2022.
