United Way takes off on $20.5-M campaign run

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This article was published 15/09/2017 (2955 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The United Way of Winnipeg has kicked off its 2017 with a goal of $20.5 million — $500,000 more than last year.

And now the United Way is counting on Winnipeggers and their donations to help raise the temperature on its fundraising thermometer.

Colin Ryan, this year’s campaign chairman and a senior vice-president and managing director at BMO Nesbitt Burns, said on Friday during the campaign’s kickoff at Red River College’s Stevenson Campus, that the goal may be higher than ever, but so is the generosity of Winnipeggers.

Ryan noted that, thanks to individuals and companies who have been fundraising, $5.3 million has already been tallied for this year’s campaign.

“Winnipeggers told us it’s vital to keep our existing supports strong while going even further to help more kids and families still struggling with many different challenges,” he said.

“United Way looks like all of us because it really is all of us. It’s about Winnipeggers helping Winnipeggers.”

Ryan, who said after the announcement that he’s been volunteering with United Way for more than two decades, said he began helping because of the various needs he sees across the city.

“So many people need a hand up,” he said.

“The United Way reaches deep into the community. I thought it was the one area where I know my donations could make an impact.

“I was very humbled and honoured to be asked to chair this year’s campaign.”

The United Way says the extra donations sought will see it help more than 11,000 Winnipeggers through its Three Years for a Better Winnipeg plan.

That plan includes providing 1,800 more children with mentors, helping 4,000 more kids connect with mental health supports, and getting job skills and money management training to 2,800 more people.

The fundraising goal wasn’t the only high point the United Way established on Friday. It also brought together 65 teams from 20 workplaces, the most ever, participating in the United Way’s 14th annual plane-pulling event that requires teams to pull either a Boeing 727 or a Canadian Armed Forces Hercules a few metres forward.

Under cloudy skies and a stiff wind, Scott Fielding, the province’s minister of families and the Tory MLA for the Kirkfield Park riding in St. James, quipped to the crowd of plane-pulling participants and volunteers “welcome to sunny St. James”.

Fielding said the provincial government treasures its relationship with the United Way.

“They do such a fantastic job,” he said.

“They support over 100 programs. The Manitoba government is very proud of the long partnership with United Way.”

Fielding noted the province will be matching, up to $7.5 million, funding by the United Way to family programs.

“It will help 24 family resource centres to keep their doors open later,” he said.

Ron Brown, president and CEO of the Winnipeg Boys and Girls Clubs, said the funding the United Way provides his organization is vital.

“We couldn’t do what we do without your help,” Brown said, noting the funding helps them assist 4,000 children and youth.”

Connie Walker, president and CEO of United Way Winnipeg, said they provide organizations with sustained funding they can count on.

“You need to have programs that are stable so when kids arrive to an after-school program, the program is there,” she said.

“But it means we have to raise all the money we raised last year and then more if we want to support more agencies and support more people.”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca