EWCS Chili-Fest fundraiser set for Erin and Rockwood

EWCS “Gets Chili” for Chili-Fest 2013 for United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin.

Area residents are invited to join East Wellington Community Services on Oct. 10 at the Rockwood Royal Bank, or Oct. 11 at the Royal Bank in Erin between 11am and 2pm each day.

For $5, one can enjoy a bowl of the “best of the board’s” chili recipes, a drink and bun. Purchase a bowl of each chili and vote for which one is “best of the fest.”

The group’s goal is to raise over $1,000 through both events. Last year, $700 was raised and organizers want to beat that total.

EWCS has been fortunate to receive funding from the United Way for its programs including the food bank and information and referral services.

However, with needs increasing within so many of the programs and services funded by the United Way, it’s more important than ever that we help the United Way to reach, and exceed, its fundraising goal of $3.4 million so that there is the ability for United Way to continue to fund over 80 local programs.

Ken Dardano, United Way executive director, is excited about this year’s campaign.

“It’s a hard reality, but we continue to see increasing demands for all of the programs we fund,” said Dardano.

“In 2012, United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin funded 88 programs at 56 different organizations in Guelph and Wellington and Dufferin counties. Funding requests for the 2013 funding year are well above last cycle’s numbers, indicating the increased need for support from the community and United Way.”