United Way KFL&A COVID-19 Update – November 17, 2020

Good afternoon! We are halfway through November and just 10 days away from our campaign touchdown!

United Way continues to work with partners on plans for the most vulnerable members of our community. The pandemic has made these barriers more apparent, and agencies and community partners continue to work hard to make sure no one falls between the cracks. We need your help to continue this work.

In this week’s update you’ll find a thank you to all of the volunteers that make the work United Way KFL&A does possible, results from a very successful Coat Drive and details about an upcoming donation drive in the community and information about this year’s touchdown.

THANK YOU TO ALL VOLUNTEERS

As we near the end of another campaign, I am, as always, so impressed with how amazing this community is and how fortunate we all are to have so many volunteers willing to share their time and talents with United Way KFL&A.

From sorting coats and dropping off donations, to helping review funded agencies, to volunteering with the Campaign Cabinet and running workplace campaigns and events, volunteers make up this United Way. On behalf of the thousands who benefit, we wanted to take the opportunity this week to thank everyone who dedicates their time and energy to the United Way KFL&A and the annual campaign.

Over the past several weeks, close to 50 volunteers have been going through the allocations and granting process – visiting funded agencies (virtually), learning about what they do, evaluating their request for funding and discussing their recommendations. The staff team is always so amazed by how engaged, thoughtful and insightful these community volunteers are and the United Way is so grateful for their participation in the process each year. Covid-19 has made this process even more challenging, but site visit and discussions went ahead seamlessly. Funding recommendations for the Emergency Community Support Fund being finalized this week and recommendations for allocations to partner agencies going to the United Way Board for approval this week. Volunteers will also be recruited to review Community Investment Fund grants in the new year.

If you would like to learn more about volunteering on a granting committee, please contact program@unitedwaykfla.ca

If you’d like to learn more about this process and United Way KFL&A’s newly update Community Investment Strategy visit https://www.unitedwaykfla.ca/funding/

COAT DRIVE RESULTS AND UPCOMING COMMUNITY DONATION DRIVE

United Way took on the annual community Coat Drive this year knowing that the needs in the community were and are greater than ever and luckily, the community stepped up to address this need. In just over two weeks, over 1,000 coats were collected in our community! Numerous workplaces including Goodyear, Correctional Service of Canada, Novelis Inc. and Queen’s University started their own drives and in the end, coats filled donation bins across Kingston and Napanee.

Thank you so much to all who participated, donated coats and their spaces for collection and special thanks to the volunteers who picked up from donation sites and sorted the coats. Many of the coats are already helping community members stay warm and will continue to be distributed through various agencies.

In line with the response and needs in the community, United Way KFL&A is partnering with the Kingston Frontenacs and the Leon’s Centre for another community donation drive in December. Both teams were looking for ways to help out in the community during these challenging times and they have been kind enough to open up their box office for community donations from December 7 – 11^th and December 14 – 18^th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bins will be set up at Gate 4 at the Leon’s Centre, The Tragically Hip Way, to collect donations of warm clothing including coats, hats, mitts, socks, boots, scarves, gently used children’s clothing and boots, hygiene items and non-perishable food.

It is clear that people are looking for ways to help the most vulnerable members, during the pandemic and into the holiday season. We know many of you have drives in your own workplaces or with family and friends. Please collect and drop off during the days above if you can.

For more details and a list of items to donate visit https://www.unitedwaykfla.ca/communitydonationdrive/

CAMPAIGN UPDATE AND 2020 TOUCHDOWN

Chief Antje McNeely, 2020 United Way Campaign Chair, invites you to celebrate with your community as the region-wide fundraising total is announced.

While you can’t gather for breakfast (or more importantly the Ambassador’s breakfast and bacon!), please join the virtual celebration featuring 2020 campaign chair, messages from dignitaries and workplaces; hear from an agency impacted by your donations, and watch the all-important number reveal!

Thursday, November 26, 8:30 – 9:30am

Join this live virtual event by registering online: https://2020uwcampaigntouchdown.eventbrite.ca

A Zoom link will be provided once registered.

For more information, call 613-542-2674 or email campaign@unitedwaykﬂa.ca

This year’s goal is ambitious, reflecting the growing needs in our community and we aren’t there yet, but with your support United Way KFL&A is getting closer and closer to this year’s goal and there is no doubt the momentum will continue in this final stretch of the campaign.

You can always stay up to date by following our social media channels – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn and of course, you can find videos at www.unitedwaykfla.ca/videos/ and regular updates on our website at www.unitedwaykfla.ca

Thank you! Your support is changing lives impacted by this pandemic.

Take care. Stay safe and well!