Good afternoon!
Hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend and I know we are all looking forward to spring!
We will continue to provide you with monthly updates, communicating the impact that your donations have in the community – how you are changing lives and supporting much needed programs and how this is making a difference in the lives of your friends, neighbours, colleagues and fellow community members. Please feel free to share your feedback and let me know what you’d like to hear more about.
Last week was the first ever Nonprofit Appreciation Week in Ontario. This new recognition of Ontario’s nonprofit sector and its nearly 850,000 workers is based on Ontario legislation. The week celebrated the vital role nonprofits and workers play in creating and maintaining healthy, vibrant and inclusive communities. You can learn more about it here.
In KFL&A community agencies, staff and volunteers in the nonprofit sector have continued essential services throughout the pandemic – and in many cases increased services due to demand – everything from seniors support, meal programs, shelters, mental health supports and so much more to help those most impacted by COVID-19. Like all of us, agencies are facing fatigue, working hard to ensure they can continue to serve residents. They need our support and appreciation, which is what this week was and is all about. Thank you again to all the agencies, staff and volunteers who make a difference in our community!
In this month’s update you can read more about the upcoming Tampon Tuesday donation drive – the third annual drive in KFL&A, how to find community resources in KFL&A and a reminder to wear pink today in support of Pink Shirt Day!
Pink Shirt Day
Today, February 23, 2022 is Pink Shirt Day – a day that encourages everyone to practice kindness and wear pink to symbolize that you do not tolerate bullying.
Now a movement celebrated across the globe, Pink Shirt Day began with an act of kindness in small-town Nova Scotia. The day brings awareness and raises funds for anti-bullying programs. This year the focus is on lifting each other up, with greater acceptance, respect, and inclusion for everyone.
Join in, wear pink, share your photos on social media and tag United Way @unitedwaykfla; we’d love to help spread the local love and kindness in KFL&A.
Tampon Tuesday
Menstrual hygiene products are always needed by program users of agencies and food banks. Once a year, there is a concerted drive to collect these products and distribute them through agencies across the region. United Way KFL&A is once again excited to partner with Bell Media, national Tampon Tuesday partner, Shoppers Drug Mart and our local Labour partners for the third annual Tampon Tuesday collection drive in the region.
Starting March 1 and running until March 31, 2022, community members are encouraged to donate pads, tampons, liners and other menstrual hygiene products. The donation drive aims to fill a gap in the KFL&A area – these products are among the most requested at shelters and agencies, but the least donated.
In 2021, over 128,000 hygiene products were donated and distributed by United Way to agencies and programs throughout KFL&A. Groups and workplaces are encouraged to do their own drives and we are happy to promote your location if you’d like others to drop off there too. It’s as simple as having a drop-off bin, printing off a poster and letting your group or workplace know you are collecting.
You can always drop off product to the following locations:
Cataraqui Town Centre – February 21 until March 8th (in partnership with Move 98.3)
Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Napanee, Amherstview and throughout Kingston – look for donation box
United Way KFL&A office, 417 Bagot Street (back entrance): Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30p.m.
Products can also be donated through an Amazon wishlist and monetary donations can be made online. Community members can also contact the United Way KFL&A office at 613.542.2674 or at admin@unitedwaykfla.ca and a pickup or drop off can be arranged.
For more information, please visit www.unitedwaykfla.ca/tampontuesday
Community Resouces
The pandemic continues to impact all of us in different ways and over the past two years, community resources and supports have been needed more than ever. In conversations with community members, businesses, agencies and even staff here at United Way a need has emerged for a webpage where people can go if they need support or if they see others that may need assistance.
United Way KFL&A has created our Community Resources page to help with this need. Frontline agencies and programs work hard to ensure our community is able to serve all residents, especially those who are in vulnerable situations, but sometimes it can be hard to know who to reach out to. This page is a great resource and connection to resources for mental health needs, food programs, homelessness supports and resources including 211.
Please check out this webpage and share with others and if you see something we may have missed please let us know.
In the News
Wondering what your United Way has been up to in the past month? Here are some media highlights you may want to check out – again they highlight the impact each of you make in the lives of so many in our community each day – thank you!
Warming Centre now open seven nights a week – Thanks to all the partners collaborating and working behind the scenes, this much needed service was able to open seven nights a week in the middle of January.
Large community donation will help those who call Kingston’s sleeping cabins home
United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington announced a generous $100,000 donation from Judith Gould (thank you!) in honour of her husband, William Shine in support of the sleeping cabins project. Read more here too.
United Way’s 211 Day connects community to supports and services – February 11, 2022 was 211 day in the community. United Way KFL&A is proud to support this valuable service in the community.
Nonprofit Appreciation week was recognized and celebrated Feb 14- 20, read more about the week and its importance locally.
THANK YOU!!
Thank you! Your support continues to change the lives of so many impacted by this pandemic. Please feel free to reach out if you would like more information or just want to chat – I can be reached at 613-929-4828 or by email bvarma@unitedwaykfla.ca
Take care and stay safe.
Bhavana
You can always stay up to date by following our social media channels – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and you can find videos at www.unitedwaykfla.ca/videos/. Watch for regular updates on our website at www.unitedwaykfla.ca
