The United Way Alberta Northwest’s 2014 campaign kicked off this afternoon with the announcement that $145,000 has already been raised through events this summer.
Campaign co-chair Peter Meyerhoffer says that puts them over 10 per cent of their goal, which is up around 30 per cent this year.
“We’ve defined a need for the community; we now have a need of $1.3 million. We’ve touched bases with all our partners and they came back and said, ‘this is what we need to continue the programs as they are now.'”
They’re hoping to raise another $100,000 on United Way Day October 30th, but Meyerhoffer maintains workplace campaigns are the “bread and butter” of their organization, responsible for 60 per cent of funding.
Several companies take part in a payroll deduction program, or organize fundraising events.
24 agencies are being supported this year, but Meyerhoffer says there’s a common misconception that people you know don’t get help from the United Way.
“What you have to realize is you probably have friends or neighbours or family that have used one of these services in the past. There’s always that connection with United Way, but it’s in the background so people don’t realize that.”