THUNDER BAY -- The United Way flew past its $2.6 million 2014 campaign goal, surpassing the mark by nearly $60,000.
Campaign chairman Michael Nitz said there’s a reason they set such a lofty goal.
“We understood the needs of the community. They’re strong, they’re real, they’re there,” Nitz said. “We wanted to make the biggest difference that we could.”
The final tally was $2,662,670.
“We feel really proud of the campaign that happened. Throughout the campaign we had a number of people step up and really make a difference here in Thunder Bay.”
Nitz knows how difficult it can be hitting the target, but it didn’t dissuade the board from setting its highest goal yet.
It’s not that long ago the United Way came up short.
But even in tough economic times, people want to give back, Nitz said.
“This year was really exciting. We really enforced the importance of where the dollars go. We talked about the 29 agencies that we help and the 63 programs and the one-in-three people who benefit from the funds raised through the United Way,” Nitz said.
“We feel that really made a connection with donors and they really wanted to step up and make a difference and make Thunder Bay a better place to live.”
Programs funded include everything from Big Brothers and Big Sisters to the Faye Peterson Transition House to the Regional Food Distribution Association.
“They apply to the United Way for funding and we provide funding to those organizations that we think can provide the most impact here in Thunder Bay,” Nitz said.
He added contributions were up across the board, from the Leaders of the Way program to employee campaigns at businesses around the city.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the people here in Thunder Bay,” he added. “Not being from here I was always happy to live here, but this year really made me feel connected and really made me realize that Thunder Bay really does have a giant heart,” Nitz said.
“I know it’s the slogan, but it’s really true and it was proven to me over the last year with the United Way campaign. It’s truly incredible to see what people do when they work together as a team here in the city.
