(L-R) In-School Mentor and 2022 Client Ambassador Keynote Speaker Deacon Barclay with mentee Malcom Kieser at the United Way Central Alberta Campaign Kick-off Lunch on Thursday at the Cambridge Hotel. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

By Alessia Proietti

"United, We Are Stronger"

United Way Central Alberta Campaign Kick-off raises $83,000 on first day

Sep 8, 2022 | 4:06 PM

Just one day into their fundraising campaign, United Way Central Alberta announced on Thursday that they have already raised $83,000.

The organization shared the news at their first in person Campaign Kick-Off Lunch in two years at the Cambridge Hotel (3310 50 Ave.), where roughly 350 people were in attendance.

READ: United Way Central Alberta once again hosting Campaign Kickoff Lunch

Chief Executive Officer Chelsea O’Donoghue says the majority of the organization’s funds are raised during the three month long campaign before the holiday season.

This year’s theme is “United, We Are Stronger.”

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“None of this work happens without everybody together. It’s the theme and it rings 100 per cent true and none of this could happen without such a community of folks who give back and they care,” she said.

One example was 2022 Client Ambassador Keynote Speaker Deacon Barclay, a 15-year-old student representing the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Stettler.

Back in 2019, Barclay spoke as a Little Brother to Ralph Kamlah, sharing his goal of one day being a Big Brother or mentor himself.

“It’s helped a lot as in having that extra helpline or having someone to talk to when I’m feeling down or having someone I can even celebrate with when [I’m in] my ups,” he said.

READ: United Way celebrates 2019 fundraising campaign

Barclay described being one of the youngest In-School Mentors today to an 11-year-old boy named Malcom Kieser. Having his own experience with an in-school mentor named Paul in 2016, Barclay says the program allows him to be the leader he feels he was meant to be and help steer Malcom in the best direction he can.

“It’s an experience of a lifetime just being able to help somebody and meeting new people and connecting the community,” said Barclay. “There’s a lot of children out here with mental health [struggles] and especially with COVID and everything that happened, a lot of kids especially that need the help.”

Kieser says Barclay has become a friend as they enjoy hanging out and playing in the park together.

“It’s pretty good. I have Deacon there for me whenever I need him,” he said.

Barclay adds many Big Brother and Sisters are needed for the program as he waited six years before being assigned a Big Brother. With just one hour a week required from volunteers, he says it could mean a lot for a Little Brother or Sister.

Although charities have seen an impact on donations following the pandemic and high inflation prices, O’Donoghue says she is optimistic that the campaign will raise more than last year’s $1.87 million.

“I feel like there’s an energy,” she said. “I’m hopeful and I think people are ready to get back out into the community and help out,” she said.

United Way Central Alberta Chief Executive Officer Chelsea O’Donoghue speaks to nearly 350 attendees at the Campaign Kick-off Lunch on Thursday at the Cambridge Hotel. (rdnewsNOW/Alessia Proietti)

The funds will be placed towards basic needs for individuals such as food, clothing, feminine hygiene products and more alongside mental health initiatives.

Future events for the campaign in the next three months, she states, include the annual Scotch Classic in November, small scale kick-offs at workplaces, and a poverty simulation where individuals will experience what it is like to go one month without basic essentials. She says more details are to come.