THUNDER BAY - The format of the United Way’s annual Billboard fundraiser may have changed but the cause remains very much the same and just as important.
On Thursday, IG Wealth Management and Lowery’s hosted the 27th Annual Great Billboard Event in support of United Way of Thunder Bay.
To date, the annual event has raised more than $2 million in support of United Way programming.
“It is the largest event in Thunder Bay for United Way,” said Donna Yocom, regional director for IG Wealth management. “All the donations raised today stay right here in the community, taking care of people we care about. This is all about creating a stronger and vibrant community.”
This year included a new concept and saw the more than 30 teams getting crafty by building a mini-billboard collage of the Thunder Bay they want to build together.
Stephanie Noel, district vice-president of TD Commercial Banking in Northwestern Ontario and Billboard Event participant said the new concept really allows people to get creative.
“It allows you to sit around the table with your colleagues and be creative and think about the community we are living in and it’s actually given us an opportunity to see how does TD Bank give back to the community,” she said. “So it’s really fun.”
“Giving back in any community is very important,” Noel added. “Thunder Bay happens to be a very tight knit community. So it gives people a reason and a facility to give back and collaborate and take part in making it a better and more loving and supportive community.”
Donations can still be made online until Tuesday May 21 at the United Way of Thunder Bay website.
The mini billboard creations will be combined to form one giant billboard that will represent the image of Thunder Bay that everyone wants to build together.
“I think it’s important just to keep the community growing and it keeps people together and allows people to keep all their connections,” Yocom said. “It really is about the community spirit.”
