United Way Central Alberta launches 2021 fundraising campaign

“So far this year, we have received donations of hundreds of litres of hand sanitizer, thousands of face masks, and truck loads of hygiene items for our Period Promise initiative,” he says. “We are able to connect these donors and donations with the agencies that need them, in essence – we ‘unite’ them, and United We Are Stronger.”

This year, the campaign chairperson is Edie Hiebert., who says the need for funds is always greater than the funds available.

“We are only starting to see the impacts that the pandemic has had on individuals, and you hear stories about the impact on mental health,” she says. “The need will only grow as life starts to return to normal.”

Ryan Veldkamp, chair of UWCA’s GenNext committee, spoke about getting people in their 20s and 30s engaged.

“It’s our goal to raise the profile of the impact of what people in their 20s and 30s can have. We have social events and we encourage people that age to understand how United Way impacts the community,” he added. Certain things aren’t always an option, so we also look at what volunteer opportunities there are for them.”

It’s next major event is Laugh Out Loud for Mental Health, Oct. 5 at Bo’s.

Last year, UWCA connected 1,601 donors, 113 volunteers, 170 organizations, 35 programs and nine initiatives in the areas of income, education, wellness and COVID-19.

More information is at caunitedway.ca.

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

United Way Central Alberta launches 2021 fundraising campaign

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