News – The United Way may be celebrating 75 years of history in the Kingston area, but it was with an eye to the future that this year’s campaign goal was announced on Friday, Sept. 9.
The annual United Way KFL&A campaign kick-off breakfast saw hundreds of community leaders, local politicians, front-line workers and United Way supporters and volunteers come together as the local United Way announced their goal for the 2016 campaign.
Up 1.5 per cent from last year’s goal, this year’s goal of $3,451,000 is “a really good and achievable goal,” said campaign chair Brigadier General Stephen Kelsey, addressing the crowd via video message, as he is currently deployed.
“Sadly, I can’t be there with you. As these things go, duty calls, but it doesn’t diminish the enthusiasm I have for today’s event and the kick-off breakfast for the United Way,” said Kelsey, who currently serves as base commander for CFB Kingston. “We’ve got lots of exciting things happening this year, we’ve got a lot of new folks involved… It’s not just about the money, it’s about the involvement in our community, and it’s about making a difference right here in Kingston.”
This year’s campaign runs until November 9th, with funds raised supporting a network of agencies throughout Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington.
Last year, those agencies served 75,000 people in the area, addressing the needs of children and youth, physical and mental health services, poverty reduction, and neighbourhood revitalization.
Over 17,600 children were given support with schoolwork, and over 3,00 area kids had a place to go after school; 17,379 people were connected to the health services they required, with over 5,000 receiving help with mental health issues; Over 11,500 people were able to access affordable and nutritious food, and 5,526 experienced decreased stress related to food security.
Now, the goal is to ensure even more of the same continues throughout the area.
Mayor Bryan Patterson encouraged and thanked both the local United Way and the countless volunteers and agencies that continue to make Kingston a “vibrant community,” and expressed the value of the financial contributions that come in through the annual campaign.
“We really are investing in our community,” he said.
To find out more about the United Way KFL&A and how to donate, go to www.unitedwaykfla.ca.
Article credit:
Kingston Heritage
By: Tori Stafford
http://www.kingstonregion.com/news-story/6848352-united-way-announces-campaign-goal-of-over-3-4-million-for-2016/
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