The annual fundraising effort gets underway this month, and directors are optimistic they will be able to exceed what they brought in and distributed last year.
“The applications we receive for funding each year far exceeds the funds we have available,” noted United Way Pembina Valley board president Levi Taylor. “We’re hoping to close that gap a little more by setting a 2023 fundraising goal of $150,000. But we need the community’s help to make it happen. We’re always looking to contribute more to the community.
“We can’t do it without generous donations, and so we’ve committed to approaching different businesses and holding different fundraising events to ensure that people are aware of the United Way Pembina Valley and aware of the different not-for-profits that we give back to, and we hope that will get people excited about donating knowing that 100 per cent of their donations are going back into the community to help those who are in need,” said Taylor, noting government funding covers the agency’s administrative costs.
United Way Pembina Valley was able to distribute $110,000 in grant funding to 19 local non-profit agencies thanks to the community’s support of the 2022 campaign.
That support also allowed them to present $7,500 in scholarships and bursaries to 2023 graduates of Garden Valley Collegiate, Northlands Parkway Collegiate, and Morden Collegiate.
Taylor feels the merger of what was formerly separate United Way campaigns in Winkler and Morden has paid off for the organization in recent years.
“We’re all neighbours in the area, right, so what’s good for Winkler is good for Morden and what’s good for Morden is good for Winkler and Altona and Carman and surrounding areas,” he said. “I think it’s been positive … we’re excited about the future.
He also suggested that supporters appreciate that the United Way supports a wide range of community organizations.
“It’s not just one area of life that we support. We try to support wide, diverse programs. I think people like the idea that a 100 per cent of their donations are being reinvested into the community, and they’re going to programs that people are aware of, that people are familiar with and that people see their neighbours going to and benefitting from,” he said. “It is only through the generosity of individual and corporate donors that we are able to support vital programs and services in our community each year.”
Donations to the campaign can be made in person at the Access Credit Union branches in Winkler or Morden, online at unitedwaypembinavalley.ca, or by mail to United Way, PO Box 758, Morden, MB, R6M 1A7.
United Way volunteers will also be at the Winkler Senior Centre on Oct. 4 from 9-11 a.m., at the Winkler Co-op grocery store on Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and at the Morden Co-op grocery store Oct. 18 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to answer questions and accept donations in person.
Businesses interested in learning more about the agency’s payroll deduction program are urged to email them at unitedwaypembinavalley@gmail.com for details.
