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United Way column for Saturday, September 11, 2021

The United Way is Sarnia-Lambton has surpassed the first $330,000 level this year’s 1.75 million dollar Drive.
“We are delighted with the response of our direct mail campaign already,” said campaign chair, Vicky Ducharme.  “It seems that Sarnia-Lambton residents are well aware that this will be a challenging campaign this year, and with our focus now on From Poverty to Possibility, All That Kids Can Be, and Healthy People, Strong Communities, there are even more programs and services depending on us.  We have a long way to go, but we are encouraged so far,” she said.
Ducharme indicated that the United Way has raised 19% of this year’s target with the official kickoff set for September 15, 2021.  Much of the campaign growth over the past month was thanks to retirees and other individuals who receive their Pledge Cards through the mail. Fifty donors have already donated online this year at www.theunitedway.on.ca.
One of the new strategies the United Way is holding this year is an online 50/50 draws, in which the first draw will be drawn on Wednesday, September 15, 2021.  To purchase your September 15, 2021  50/50 tickets, log onto www.unitedway5050.ca.
There are a number of large industrial employee campaigns that are soon to kick off, including Imperial, Cabot Canada, CF Industries, Shell Canada, and others still in the planning process.  “We are really excited that several employee campaigns plan to use both paper pledge cards as in past years, and the online pledge campaign tool that was used last year,” said Ducharme.
Coming up later this month, there will be two Pembina events, including the Pembina golf tournament, and their annual Meats for Eats Raffle which will feature $1000 gift card from Davey Jones and a $500 prepaid Visa card.  Tickets are $10 and can be purchased by contacting the United Way, and the entry for a foursome for the Pembina golf tournament is $400. For more information on the golf tournament, and the raffle, please contact the United Way at 519-336-5452 or email [email protected].
The United Way is planning additional public events for later this month and October.
Traditionally, several donors enjoy stopping by the United Way office at 1362 Lambton Mall Road just down from Mall Road Library to personally donate and  pick up their tax receipt at the same time. “We also invite donors to call the United Way office at 519-336-5452 or to visit us online and follow the “Donate Now” links.
Ten new videos have recently been uploaded to the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton YouTube channel including short interviews from donors, volunteers from agencies, and even people whose lives have been changed thanks to a United Way funded agency.  “We are very pleased with the viewership already have a number of videos that were posted last year on our YouTube channel, and we look forward to adding additional videos in the coming weeks,” said Ducharme.
Ducharme said the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton YouTube channel can be easily reached by searching United Way of Sarnia-Lambton in the YouTube search bar or it is linked from the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton website by clicking on the YouTube icon.
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Bill, a Sarnia resident, participates in Opening Doors, a program provided by the North and West Lambton Community Health Centres with $60,000 funding from United Way to run programs throughout Sarnia-Lambton.  Opening Doors’ programs encourage inclusion and decreases depression and isolation by running several programs that promote a healthy lifestyle including community gardens, cooking classes and exercise classes.