United Way Pembina Valley’s annual fundraising drive gets underway this month, and directors are optimistic it can exceed last year’s campaign tally.
The United Way was able to distribute $150,000 in grant funding last spring to 31 local non-profit agencies thanks to the community’s support of the 2023-24 campaign, so the organization is aiming a little higher this time.
“We set a very lofty goal of $160,000. We’ve always received such very generous support from the communities, so we are excited to kick off our campaign,” said president Levi Taylor.
“The Pembina Valley has always been very generous,” he continued. “We couldn’t support the local not-for-profits without the community support. We’re very grateful, and we’re excited to meet our goal this year.
“We get administrative grants from the province to cover our administrative costs, so every single dollar that gets donated to the United Way Pembina Valley goes back into the communities,” Taylor noted. “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.”
He further noted the support also allows the United Way to present $7,500 in scholarships and bursaries to graduates of Garden Valley Collegiate, Northlands Parkway Collegiate, and Morden Collegiate each June.
Donations to the campaign can be made at unitedwaypembinavalley.ca or via e-transfer to unitedwaypembinavalley@gmail.com. Be sure to 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 will be accepting donations in person at the Co-op grocery stores in Winkler from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18 and in Morden Wednesday, Sept. 25.
Businesses can also get in touch with them to talk about making it easier for their employees to give through a payroll deduction program throughout the year.
Applications for United Way funding will be available soon on the agency’s website. The deadline to apply is Dec. 15.
At the campaign kickoff, Winkler Mayor Henry Siemens noted this region was the second most generous in Canada according to recent data in terms of donations and volunteer time.
“Thirty-one organizations were able to do something that they could not have done to support the community if it hadn’t been for the community,” he said. “When all of us give what we can to support organizations that we care about, we can make that difference as a group.”
“It’s nice to see the two communities joining together,” added Morden Mayor Nancy Penner. “Many communities that the United Way supports are being taxed and communities are in need, and your dollars are going to a very good cause.”
