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UNITED WAY DONATIONS BEING MATCHED

Province matching up to $2M in charitable donations during COVID-19

May 6, 2020 | 11:29 AM

The provincial government is thanking Albertans for their generosity during the COVID-19 pandemic and asking them to continue to give.

The government announced on Tuesday, in honour of #GivingTuesdayNow, that it has allocated $2 million to match donations to COVID-19 response efforts by designated Alberta-based charities.

Several organizations have established COVID-19 fundraising campaigns to distribute money quickly to those who need it most. The province will match donations made by Albertans to designated organizations between April 15 and May 31.

Locally, the province is matching donations made to the United Way of Central Alberta – COVID-19 Community Response Fund.

“COVID-19 pandemic response programs play a supporting role to flow donations through to local community-based non-profits and charitable organizations that deliver services to vulnerable Albertans,” the province says in a release. “Donations will help feed the hungry, care for seniors, support at-risk children, and keep Albertans employed.”

The government is also encouraging volunteerism during COVID-19, having recently launched the Alberta Cares Connector to help Albertans find or post volunteer opportunities. There have been more than 276,000 searches, submitting about 11,000 volunteer applications and creating 3,300 profiles on the Alberta Cares Connector.

Albertans have also submitted more than 460 nominations to the new Alberta Northern Lights Volunteer Recognition Program, which honours everyday heroes and encourages the spirit of volunteerism.