Local news delivered daily to your email inbox. Subscribe for FREE to the rdnewsNOW newsletter.
(United Way of Central Alberta)
Adapting For Success

United Way Central Alberta fuels excitement for 2020 Campaign Celebration

Mar 30, 2021 | 11:11 AM

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic forcing the United Way of Central Alberta (UWCA) to put a new twist on their 2020 Campaign Celebration, this year’s fundraising efforts are still anticipated to provide a positive impact on the lives of thousands in our community.

Instead of holding their traditional Celebration Breakfast, UWCA staff re-imagined the conference-style event into a COVID-friendly Campaign Celebration Roadshow that took place March 17 – 18 in six area communities.

Officials say the event was made possible through the sponsorship of Eagle Builders.

“At the beginning of the campaign and throughout, we talked about the need being bigger than ever and the community stepped-up to answer this challenge,” says Brett Speight, UWCA CEO, in a press release. “We can’t thank them enough for their generosity. Because of this and despite the pandemic, we wanted to hold a live, COVID-safe celebration. There is so much to celebrate, too much to convey with a virtual-style event.”

Donations to the 2020 United Way Central Alberta Campaign raised $1.83 million to help central Alberta’s most vulnerable populations, changing the lives of 13,234 people.

Staff presented the 2020 workplace awards outdoors to:

  • NOVAChemicals (Top 3 Campaigns) $807,000
  • MEGlobal (Top 3 Campaigns) $161,828
  • INEOS (Top 3 Campaigns) $51,805
  • DOW Chemical – Innovation Award
  • Red Deer College – Rising Star Award
  • Alberta Health Services – Outstanding Employee Campaign Coordinator Award – Dawn Peterson

Officials say the Campaign Celebration Roadshow made “pit-stops” at eight of the 25 agencies across Alberta that will receive funding for 2021-2022. They included Bashaw District Support Services, Heartland Youth Centre and the Association for Communities Against Abuse in Stettler and kcs Association in Sylvan Lake.

“We wanted to acknowledge the valuable and consistent help these agencies have offered the residents of central Alberta, particularly in this incredibly difficult year,” adds Edie Hiebert, 2020 Campaign Chairperson. “Most of them have been unable to hold their traditional fundraising activities and have experienced significant increases to their caseloads.”

In order to ensure everyone could celebrate along with the Roadshow, a video has been created and can be viewed here: