THUNDER BAY – A larger than anticipated contribution by municipal employees has significantly closed the United Way’s fundraising gap.
It was announced on Tuesday employees from the City of Thunder Bay, Superior North EMS and Thunder Bay Public Library had combined to raise more than $227,000 for the United Way, far exceeding their target of $191,000.
While United Way campaign chair Jim Madder didn’t have exact numbers, he said that extra $36,000 plays a huge role in alleviating some of the pressure felt by a shortfall that had been calculated earlier this season at about $100,000.
“Going into our planning and going into our projections we use that ($191,000) goal,” he said. “There’s still a gap, in my mind, but it’s now tens of thousands and not $100,000.”
The United Way urged the community last month to provide extra help for this year’s campaign as the organization was already off pace from their $2.6 million goal.
That funding is a vital lifeline for 30 agencies which combine to operate 64 programs.
Municipal division campaign chair Carol Pollard said more than 50 per cent of employees contributed to the campaign.
“The United Way reaches out and through their funding supports programs across the city and more than 58,000 local people,” she said. “We as municipal division want to do our part to step up and make our community a better place to be.”
The money was raised through a combination of initiatives and events including voluntary payroll deductions, monetary donations, departmental bake sales, dress down days, golf tournament, the kick-off luncheon and a Christmas party.
All of those paid off, especially as there was initial concern the goal wouldn’t be met.
“We were very concerned about the real possibility of not making our goal,” Pollard said. “Once the United Way made the announcement it seemed employees stepped up. There were other special little events happening, employees made additional contributions responding to the request to close the gap.”
In the past 20 years the municipal employee drive has raised more than $2.5 million for the United Way, showing the enduring strength of the partnership.
“This municipal campaign is one of the highest contributors in terms of per-person contributions in this province,” Madder said. “The municipal employees are phenomenal supporters of the city and the people in the city. They’re exemplars.”
