The United Way of Thunder Bay’s $2,662,669 annual fundraising campaign is off and running.
The record-setting goal will be a challenge, as always, said campaign chairman Jim Madder, but it’s quite doable he believes.
“We’ve got a phenomenal team that we’re working with. The United Way has a great reputation here,” said Madder, who serves as president of Confederation College.
“The corporate donors in this community give huge support to the United Way. We’ll make it and I’ll even challenge ourselves to exceed that goal.”
The 2015 goal is actually $1 less than last year’s campaign took in.
The charity supports 64 programs and 30 local agencies throughout the year, impacting about one-in-three people in the community.
It’s because of its breadth that so many people are willing to give.
To hit the goal, Madder said he plans to spend the next several months talking to potential donors one-on-one about what the United Way agencies do.
“While we have a dollar goal, it’s about how those agencies use those dollars and squeeze value out of them. If you talk to any of the board of directors, any of the volunteers of those agencies, you know they do their absolute best to get value out of every single dollar raised.”
Albert Aiello of the Boy’s and Girl’s Club said his organization is one of many supported by the United Way.
The positive impact they’re having on the lives of young people couldn’t happen without the charity’s support, he added.
“We are helping children reach that potential one child at a time,” Aiello said.
Evergreen, A United Neighbourhood’s Linda Bruins agreed.
“Without a doubt the funding we received has built strong communities,” she told a captive audience on Wednesday morning at the United Way’s annual – and sold-out – campaign breakfast launch.
The United Way also bestowed the Ross Judge Award on Dougall Media president Elizabeth Dougall, the campaign chairwoman in 2003 who helped raise $1.78 million that year. She was also a long-time volunteer before retiring in 2010.
“It’s wonderful to be recognized by your peers, but there are so many wonderful workers at the United Way. I feel really honoured that they chose me. (Ross) Judge was a long-time supporter of the United Way and a great supporter of this community,” Dougall said.
“She led by example,” said Norm Gale, first vice-president of the United Way’s board of directors.
Donations to this year’s campaign can be made through an employee payroll contribution, online at www.uwaytbay.ca or in person at the United Way’s office at 1006-715 Hewitson St.
