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CEO Update from United Way KFL&A – October, 2021

Good afternoon! It’s hard to believe it is already the middle of October and we are halfway through the 2021 Campaign. Thank you to everyone who has donated and shown their local love – the campaign has now surpassed 60% and has raised over $2.1 million! All thanks to a passionate and caring community in KFL&A – volunteering, helping to spread the word, giving what they can.

This month’s update includes information on the Women Challenge Grant and an opportunity for female Leaders of the Way to triple the impact of their gift. This update also includes exciting news about United Way KFL&A being recognized once again as one of Canada’s Top 100 rated charities and information about this year’s Winter Clothing Drive.

WOMEN UNITED LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE GRANT

The United Way is delighted to announce that a special Women United Challenge Grant is being offered in 2021, in addition to the ongoing Leadership Challenge Grant. Thanks to a generous donation from Jessica Bayne Hogan, women who are Leadership donors ($1,200+) can triple the impact of their gift.

For the past two years, Jessica Bayne Hogan generously sponsored the Leadership Challenge Grant. This year, another couple took over that program, but she wanted to continue making an impact.

Under the existing Leadership Challenge Grant, supporters who give $1,200 or more and increase their donation or those who make a new $1,200 gift will see their donation matched. With the addition of the Women United grant, women donors will see their donation matched by both grants – tripling their impact through United Way KFL&A.

“Over the past few years I have had the pleasure of co-chairing Women United and have again been awed and inspired by the level of compassion, engagement and genuine interest of the women involved,” Bayne Hogan explained. “I was delighted to learn that an amazingly generous couple stepped up to offer this year’s general challenge grant and as such I was able to extend an additional matching to the incredible women of our community.”

Thanks so much to Jessica and our anonymous couple for their leadership and generous support. These Challenge Grants will have a significant impact.

To learn more about Women United visit www.unitedwaykfla.ca/womenunited

Speaking of Women United. In last month’s update we mentioned the in-person Women United event that was happening in Lake Ontario Park. You can watch the amazing speakers here, speaking about indigenous programs in the region.

As part of the event, United Way assembled a list of resources for Indigenous programs, which can be found here.

UNITED WAY KFL&A RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF CANADA’S TOP 100 CHARITIES

United Way KFL&A is proud to announce that our organization has, once again, been recognized by Charity Intelligence Canada on their top 100 Rated Charities list for 2021.

There are over 86,000 registered charities across the country and Charity Intelligence looks at reports for over 800 and rates them based on rating methodology.

Thank you to the United Way KFL&A Board of Directors, staff, committees and volunteers who work so hard on accountability and good practices – this recognition is a result of all that hard work.

For more information on United Way KFL&A’s accountability view the 2020 Annual Report.

And you can learn more about the rankings at https://www.charityintelligence.ca/index.php

WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE

Last year, United Way KFL&A ran the annual coat drive. The response was amazing – in just over 2 weeks, over 1,000 coats were collected!  This year, the United Way is continuing with the drive and expanding from just coats to a Winter Clothing Drive.

As the pandemic continues to impact all of us, agencies continue to see an increase in need – an increase in people using services, as well as the need for basic items like coats, boots, socks and warmer clothing.  The network of agencies and volunteers work so hard at these donation drives, distributing these items through agencies to individuals who are in vulnerable situations.  I know that our caring and compassionate community will step up once again in donating items.

Workplaces and community members are asked to donate clean, new or gently used coats and boots. Coats must be washable only; no leather or heavy wool and new accessories. The drive also includes new hats, mitts, scarves and socks.

The drive will run for 2 weeks from October 25th – November 5th with drop-offs at some KFL&A Library and L&A Library locations or the United Way office. You can learn more and look for updates on drop off locations at www.unitedwaykfla.ca/winterclothingdrive

THANK YOU!!

Thank you! Your support continues to change the lives of so many impacted by this pandemic. Thank you for your continued. 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. Stay safe and well!

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

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United Way KFL&A Announces Ambitious Campaign Goal

The United Way KFL&A will aim to raise a record $3,614,800 during this year’s fall fundraising campaign, it was announced Sept. 10 at a virtual campaign kickoff led by Campaign Chair Daren Dougall.

Winter Clothing Drive

Workplaces and community members are asked to donate clean, new or gently used coats and boots (coats must be washable only; no leather or heavy wool) and new accessories including new hats, mitts, scarves and socks.

Women United Leadership Challenge Grant encourages women donors to give more during United Way KFL&A campaign

United Way KFL&A is delighted to announce that a special Women United Challenge Grant will be offered during the 2021 campaign, in addition to the ongoing Leadership Challenge Grant. Thanks to a generous donation from Jessica Bayne Hogan, women who are Leadership donors can triple the impact of their gift.

United Way KFLA Weekly Campaign Update - Oct 14, 2021

Last week, the campaign surpassed 50 % of this year’s goal and this week it topped $2 million thanks to the incredible KFL&A community

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"My wife and I have always donated to the United Way KFL&A because we know the donated funds are used in our community. In my retirement, I have become more aware of the people in need in our community. I encourage you to support these vital programs by volunteering and by making a donation. Through the United Way you make a difference in the lives of so many."
Jim Parker
"With our United Way funding, we go right to the grocery store or a local supplier and purchase the food that helps a student take advantage of everything school has to offer. You can be confident that your donation to the United Way stays here, in KFL&A and supports students in our community"
Brenda MooreFood Sharing Project
“United Way came in and adopted us and things changed dramatically, we didn’t have people waiting on the step for a bed in the winter. They stay as long as they need to and we help them get into transitional housing. We provide them with structure and help them. Because of United Way we get to help raise these children and I feel honoured and so proud to know them.”
Denise LambKingston Youth Shelter
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United Way of KFL&A would like to acknowledge this traditional territory’s longer existence and its significance for the Indigenous people who lived and continue to live on Turtle Island.

We are situated on traditional Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee and Huron-Wendat land. There are Métis and other non-status First People from many Indigenous Nations present in our community today. This acknowledgement symbolizes the United Way KFL&A’s first step, of many, along this path toward Indigenous reconciliation, in a respectful manner.

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