In The News
United Way once again surpasses fundraising goal
EMC News – Cheque after cheque was presented by supporters of the United Way at the Nov. 25 touchdown breakfast for its annual 12 week fundraising campaign. Amounts in the three to six figures were proudly announced, building up to
the moment when campaign chair Les Herr would reveal
whether the campaign reached its $3.2 million goal.
At the start of this year’s campaign, Herr challenged all United Way volunteers to tell the story of the United Wayhow it changes lives and builds stronger communitiesin the hopes of increasing participation in the annual fundraising campaign throughout Kingston and the surrounding region.
“Just from what you’ve heard in terms of cheque presentations, the participation in this community has clearly risen to new levels,” he said.
Herr said that he has been impressed by the generosity of the community, especially during the last three years.
“Over the last three years the United Way has raised almost $10 million for this community, $10 million in what I would say are some of the toughest economic times we’ve faced since the ’30s. I think we all should be very, very proud of the fact that we were able to do that in this community, I think it’s quite remarkable and it should be celebrated.”
A group of children from the Boys and Girls Club were on hand at the touchdown breakfast to help Herr reveal that the campaign once again achieved its goal, raising $3,327,000.
“Even though the campaign is over, the United Way story will continue. The funds that you’ve raised will be given away, given to many different organizations across our community,” Herr said.
Organizations like that of the Kingston Youth Shelter, an organization that provides emergency housing, food, counseling and support to individuals between the ages of 16 and 24.
Jason Beaubiah, director of the youth shelter, noted that the United Way has made a huge impact on the agency.
“I’m fortunate enough that I was with the agency before we were with the United Way, and of course I’m still with them now…and I’ve seen the change that it has made for us.”
Prior to becoming a United Way funded agency, the Kingston Youth Shelter was operating an eight bed shelter, and often had to turn away three or four kids a night, Beaubiah revealed.
“Now, thanks to the support of the United Way, we’ve been able to expand the amount of beds that we can offer. We are now running 15 beds, and we’re not having to turn away any kids.”
In addition to the Kingston Youth Shelter, United Way funds support approximately 106 programs and services within the region, which assist 74,000 people in the community.
“I want to take this opportunity, on behalf of the over 100 agencies that are funded by the United Way, to say thank you for all the hours you’ve put in.”
Source: Kingston / Frontenac EMC
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