Teams pulling for United Way's goal
WITH a blast of confetti and music -- and the pulling of jets -- the United Way of Winnipeg launched the most ambitious campaign in its 42-year history.
Heather Grant-Jury, the campaign's 2007 chairwoman, announced during the agency's official kickoff on Friday that she wants to raise $16.5 million this year.
She said the campaign is already 36 per cent towards its goal, with more than $5.9 million already in its coffers.
"We are well on our way to our target," said Grant-Jury about funds for the agency that supports numerous social services in the city.
"The number one issue the United Way focuses on is reducing poverty in the city of Winnipeg ... Everybody benefits because we live here."
Last year, the United Way set $14.7 million as its goal, but surpassed that by collecting a total of $15.5 million.
More than 65 local agencies receive financial support from the United Way.
All money raised during the campaign, which runs until December, is handed out to the agencies, since the provincial government pays for the organization's entire operating costs.
Federal Tory MP Vic Toews praised the work the United Way does here.
"The United Way is the finest example of the whole being larger than the sum of its parts," Toews said.
Radisson MLA Bidu Jha, representing the provincial government, said "the sign says United Way and there's no other way to do this than be united.
"Every dollar raised goes back to the community."
After the announcement, 40 teams from media outlets, companies, and government competed in pulling a 86,000-kilogram Boeing 727 and a 40,000-kilogram McDonnel Douglas DC-9.
A group of bouncers from Canad Inns was the fastest, pulling the 727 in 4.66 seconds, while a group from Ceridian Canada Ltd. had the best time, at 6.47 seconds, pulling the DC-9.
A group from the Winnipeg Free Press finished 13th out of 17 behind the bouncers, at 10.5 seconds, while a team of all-stars from media outlets throughout the city brought up the rear with a time of 29.2 seconds.
The United Way of Winnipeg was incorporated in 1965 after it took over the assets and liabilities of the former Community Chest of Greater Winnipeg.
kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
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