2024 United Way Campaign Chair Announced
Long-time volunteer, Joanne Langlois, to lead this year’s fundraising campaign
Kingston, ON (April 23, 2024) – The United Way Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington is pleased to announce the appointment of long-time United Way volunteer, Joanne Langlois as the Chair of the 2024 Campaign.
“I am excited to take on the role of campaign chair this year. I am looking forward to working with the incredible volunteers on the campaign cabinet and in the community to build on the success of last year,” said Langlois. “I know that our community can do great things when we come together and we can continue to help our fellow community members throughout KFL&A.”
Langlois started volunteering with United Way KFL&A 30 years ago and spearheaded successful fundraising events including Fare for Friends and Rockin’ the Big House and was a key volunteer in United Way’s Success by Six campaigns for many years. As the chair for the 2024 campaign, she will be working with volunteers and the community to build on the success of the 2023 campaign.
“This community is fortunate to have such strong volunteer leadership every year,” says John DiPaolo, President & CEO, United Way KFL&A. “Joanne brings such a passion for the community and United Way to this year’s campaign. Together, with a dedicated Campaign Cabinet, all our amazing volunteers, and a generous community that continues to step up each year, this campaign will be another great success.”
The annual campaign raises funds that are then invested locally in programs supporting individuals in vulnerable situations. United Way KFL&A works collaboratively with agencies and community partners across sectors to address complex social issues and the most pressing needs – homelessness, food security, addictions, and mental health.
“We know that agencies and programs in our community are continuing to see an increase in demand for their services,” added Langlois. “I have seen firsthand how the generosity of this community can make an impact. I am confident that this year we will have another successful campaign.”
The 83rd annual United Way KFL&A Campaign will kick off on Friday, September 6th, 2024. Stay tuned for more details.
About United Way KFL&A
United Way Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington works closely with community partners to ensure that people have the opportunity to reach their full potential and live with hope, dignity, and a sense of belonging. This vision is realized by building on deep-rooted local community knowledge and relationships to empower people to make an impact.
The United Way raises funds for programs that support immediate needs while also tackling complex social issues collaboratively. Led by volunteers, driven by a small professional staff team, the United Way KFL&A is a unifying force, encouraging people to get involved to support our most vulnerable.
Thanks to the continued generous support of the community, United Way KFL&A is proud to rank third among United Ways across Canada in dollars raised related to the size of our market.
Stay up to date by following their social media channels – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn or visit www.unitedwaykfla.ca
Media Contact:
Mandy Pasch, Director, Marketing and Communications
United Way KFL&A
613-876-3088, marketing@unitedwaykfla.ca
About Joanne Langlois
Though originally hailing from Toronto, Joanne Langlois is proud to call Kingston her adopted hometown and is fiercely dedicated to anything that she can do to help improve the lives of those in need in our community.
The spark for her career as an event planner was originally ignited 30 years ago through the United Way Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington Campaign Chair, Norris MacDonald. In her role as Promotional Director of CKWS TV, she, (together with Clark Day) was charged to come up with a “Signature Event” for the organization. This was the birth of Fare For Friends, a collaborative effort which relied on the generosity of local restaurants and wineries – an event which Joanne chaired for 9 years and which has raised over 1 million dollars for our local United Way.
Over the years, Joanne found more ways to lend a hand to the United Way and supported Success By Six with the sale of two children’s books which she authored and co-published.
Joanne was also a Co-Chair and a driving force behind the United Way’s Rockin’ The Big House concert at Kingston Penitentiary in September of 2019 which was a huge success and raised over $400,000.
Throughout her career, Joanne has lent her fundraising skills and event planning acumen to other organizations such as The MS Society of Kingston, Big Sisters, FebFest, YMCA, Hospice Kingston, Community Foundation for Kingston and Area, Hockey Helps the Homeless and Kingston’s Integrated Care Hub.
In recognition of Joanne’s achievements within our community, she was awarded The First Capital Distinguished Citizen Award in 2014 and the distinguished Paul Harris Fellowship from The Rotary Club in 2015.
Joanne has lived in Kingston for 30 years with her husband Paul and their daughters Emma and Sophie.
