United Way Pembina Valley’s annual fundraising campaign is now underway, and the organization is aiming a little higher this year.
At a campaign kickoff last Wednesday at the Winkler Senior Centre, board president Levi Taylor commented on their optimism that the generosity of community members and corporate donors would allow them to up their target this year.
“Last spring, we were able to give back $110,000 in grants and scholarships,” he shared. “This year we’re aiming to beat that. Our campaign goal for 2025-2026 is $125,000. With your help, we know we can do it.”
Taylor emphasized he remains eternally optimistic about the generosity of the communities they serve across the Pembina Valley.
“The community never ceases to amaze us with how generous they are, so we’re excited to increase our goal,” he said. “We’re excited to see what this year holds, and ultimately we’re just grateful to the entire community for their support.”
United Way Pembina Valley was able to distribute a total of $102,500 in grant funding to 19 local non-profit agencies thanks to the community’s support of the 2024-2025 campaign. That support also allowed it to present $7,500 in scholarships and bursaries to graduates at Garden Valley Collegiate, Northlands Parkway Collegiate, and Morden Collegiate.
Above and beyond these annual donations, the board of directors also dipped into the agency’s savings last year to support the Genesis House transitional housing project with a $15,000 funding commitment.
“Individual and corporate donations are what allow us to support local non-profits who provide vital programs and services to children, families and individuals in our region,” Taylor said, noting a government grant covers the United Way’s administrative costs which means every penny donated is able to go right back into the community.
“We give back to different organizations, whether it’s sledge hockey or Big Brothers Big Sisters, Central Station or 500 Stephen,” he said. “All these different organizations, they use those funds and impact individual people’s lives … you begin to see the ripple effect throughout the community, and it’s quite something.”
They always like supporting a varied list of organizations and services, Taylor observed.
“We want to meet the needs of the community,” he said. “The United Way gives based on need and what is desirable in the community … we try to spread it out … we try to support as many different organizations as we can.”
Donations to the campaign can be made online at unitedwaypembinavalley.ca or via e-transfer to unitedwaypembinavalley@gmail.com (include your name and address for a tax receipt). Cheques can be mailed to United Way, PO Box 758, Morden, MB, R6M 1A7.
In addition, the United Way was also accepting donations in person during fundraising barbecues at the Co-op grocery stores in Winkler last Saturday and in Morden on Wednesday, Sept. 24 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Businesses can also get in touch with the agency to find out about making it easier for their employees to give through a payroll deduction program.
Applications for United Way funding will be available soon on the agency’s website.
