United Way column for Saturday, June 11, 2022The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton Board of Directors is expected to set its campaign goal for 2022 later this month.
“We always set the goal at our June board meeting and then announce the goal to the public in August,” said Campaign Chair Vicky Ducharme.
Ducharme was quick to point out that the fundraising for this year is already well underway.
“This week, we began our direct and unaddressed mail campaign to various groups in our community including small business owners and some retirees,” she said. Donations through the mail continue to be a large component of the campaign and in fact has grown in recent years. “The objective is to reach people in the most cost-effective manner, keeping in mind we have an increasing number of people who work from home, are retired, or are new to our area,” she said.
Ducharme added that donations through the mail, and from those who donate online through the United Way website account for 20% of the entire community campaign. “We classify this group of donors as our “Individual and Non-Workplace Contributors”. Individuals can donate by credit card, cheque, and direct debit. Several donors ask us to debit their credit cards monthly since most of these individuals do not have Pay Roll Deduction,” she added.
The Pizza promotion with Dattollo’s Bake shop at 1030 Confederation Road in Sarnia is back for another year. Like last fall, Dattollo’s will donate $1 from every pizza sold from Friday, June 10 until close on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19, 2022. To order your pizza, please call Dattollo’s at 519-336-1991.
Feige Dentures Clinics on the corner of Lambton Mall Road and Exmouth also has a promotion all year long. In recognition of the 50th year in Sarnia, Feige will donate a portion of all sales until December 31, 2022, to the Untied Way campaign. “We want to congratulate Feige and their team on their 50th anniversary and we thank them for their generosity in this way,” Ducharme said.
The United Way has been selected by Refined Fool on London Road in Sarnia for the “Charity Take Over Night” on Wednesday, July 6, 2022. Each month, Refined Fool selects one charity to share in the proceeds from that day. This is the third time United Way has been chosen as the charity of the month.
At the Refined Fool, from afternoon, until approximately 9:00 PM, the United Way will receive 20% of all food and drink purchases and from merchandise sales. “This is a great opportunity for the United Way, and the other charities of choice,” said Ducharme.
We are so grateful to small businesses like Dattollo’s, Feige Dental Clinics, Refined Fool and others for their support of our community through the United Way by doing these fun events. Ducharme said the United Way would love to chat with other local businesses throughout Sarnia-Lambton to bring more fun to the campaign! “In fact, we’d love to do some promotions in rural Lambton County,” Ducharme said.
In Sarnia-Lambton, the United Way funds more than 30 programs and services including those who assist low income and homeless, children and youth, seniors, and those who are struggling with mental health challenges.
“Every United Way in the world is autonomous and each United Way’s Volunteer Board of Directors focus funding on programs and services that meet the most pressing needs in that particular municipality,” Ducharme said.
To donate or to find more information on United Way funded agency programs log on to www.theunitedway.on.ca.
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Photo caption:
Louise Jovic relies on the Canadian Red Cross Transportation program funded by the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton. Jovic credits the Red Cross for getting her to and from doctors and other medical appointments, and enables her get groceries while maintaining her independence. The United Way provides $58,000 in funding to the Red Cross transportation program.
