Change starts here to improve your community

Record goal for 2011 campaign as the United Way host annual kickoff breakfast

The United Way has raised its previous fundraising total from 2010 by $17,000, making the target $995,000, the highest goal in the agency’s history to be raised before the official campaign ends on December 1st.

‘Change starts here’, United Way President Shawn Souder told the packed hall at CJ”s for the annual kickoff breakfast, officially opening the 2011 campaign.  Things did get off to a rousing start with $74,874 coming from Procter & Gamble ($54,000), Scotia Bank, both Brockville locations ($15,374) and $3,500 from Automotion through Thousand Islands Street Machine. 

There are many fundraising events over the next 10 weeks including the Stanley Black & Decker golf tourney on October 1st, the James Youth Summit from October 24th – 28th, which includes all nine schools in Leeds-Grenville, the YMCA triathlon on November 20th, as well as Hockey Night in Leeds-Grenville, which appointed former NHLer and Gananoque native Alan McCauley honorary chair, matching the MP’s team against a host of celebrities and former professionals. 

The campaign’s goal is $30,00 more than last year’s initial goal and exceeding this could mean the milestone Million dollar mark.  “We wanted to thank everyone for using the power of the pen to make a difference in our community,” United Way Executive Director Judi Baril.  “Everyone thrives and survives.”

If the United Way hits their target by December 1st former campaign chair Dr. Andy Jordan and Souder have pledged they will jump in the St. Lawrence “Polar Bear style’. 

United Way helps fund 1 in 3 families in Leeds-Grenville through 27 partner agencies.   For more information please call the office at 613-342-8889 or 613-342-8850 or visit www.uwlg.org or send donations to: Box 576, 42 George Street, Brockville, Ontario K6V 5V7