The 2018 Campaign is now underway.
Campaign Chair Caterina Dawson was on hand to announce the $1,559,000 goal at the 2018 Annual Campaign Kick-Off Friday evening at The Kent 1874.
Through donations and fundraisers, the United Way helped more than 45,000 residents through funded programs in 2017 alone, and the charitable organization hopes to be able to meet and exceed its new goal.
Early support and pledges have already come in from organizations such as Union Gas, TekSavvy and CLAC.
With a $300,000 jump-start on the campaign goal already, Dawson said setting this year’s goal was difficult.
“There are a lot of worthwhile things happening in Chatham-Kent, many in the next month. But we did our homework and talking to our partners we came up with a goal that we feel represents what we can achieve this year,” Dawson said in a release.
Each year, the United Way fund programs and helps those in the community who may be struggling with poverty, addiction, mental illness and physical disabilities.
To make a donation, either call 519-354-0430 or visit www.uwock.ca.
If interested in pledging your support or getting involved in the 2018 Campaign, please contact Tom Slager at 519-354-0430 or at tom@uwock.ca.
Dawson brings youthful enthusiasm to her post as campaign chair. The recent graduate of École secondaire catholique de Pain Court succeeds the 2017 campaign chair, Elizabeth Downey-Sunnen.
Dawson has spent her life growing up in Chatham-Kent with her two brothers and six sisters. During her youth, Dawson made use of some of United Way’s funded services, primarily services with Family Service Kent and the Chatham-Kent Women’s Centre.
Because of her positive experiences with these United Way-funded programs, she has devoted herself to giving back to her community.
When it came time for her to select a Grade 12 co-op assignment, she quickly applied for a placement with United Way.
Tom Slager, Director of Resource Development for UWoCK, said Dawson will have some excellent support.
“United Way attracts and works with the very best community leaders in Chatham-Kent. These leaders have expressed interest in helping to develop the leadership skills of our youth – through mentorship. So, this opened up an opportunity for United Way to partner an emerging community leader with a team of seasoned professionals who are at the top of their game in their respective fields,” he said. “So while this experience will be unlike anything Caterina has yet to take on in her life, the support of our community leaders is fully behind her.”
