GUELPH – United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin celebrated “local love” at its 2022 Campaign Celebration on Feb. 8, where volunteers, community organizations and businesses were recognized for their support of the campaign.
It was the first in-person celebration since 2020.
“Every year we start at zero and look to raise millions of dollars to maintain our support to our community partners,” said 2022 campaign chair Patricia Tersigni.
“What we have accomplished this year is due to hours of hard work by hundreds of volunteers and staff and the generosity of an entire community who showed their local love.”
Tersigni said despite another very difficult year, the 2022 campaign raised $2,603,347.
Funds raised during the annual campaign make it possible to support a number of critical issues – poverty, mental health, homelessness, isolation, and hunger.
“The truth is, without our community’s help, the services that so many have come to rely on may not be there when someone in crisis needs them,” said executive director Glenna Banda.
“Our community looks much different without our charitable sector there to support it.
“And we are so incredibly grateful to the community – our donors and our workplaces – and are excited to celebrate the efforts of everyone that helped us achieve what we were able to this year.”
Several businesses and volunteers were recognized with awards for their contributions, including:
- “Cornerstone Awards” went to Linamar Corporation, University of Guelph, the County of Wellington and The Co-operators;
- “Bright Star Award” went to Sleeman Breweries and The Frank Hasenfratz Centre for Excellence in Manufacturing;
- “Local Love Award” went to Kirtida Kitchen and the University of Guelph’s Food Sciences Department; and
- “Leading the Way Award” went to the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).
Officials say the charitable sector is facing demand for services never seen before. But it is also struggling to meet that demand as it grapples with new realities such as flat-lined fundraising, rising costs of goods, and staff and volunteer shortages.
United Way has not been immune to the challenges.
“At the start of the pandemic, we couldn’t have predicted that our sector would continue to be facing these challenges three years later,” said Banda.
“Fundraising is difficult right now and we empathize with where people are at. But the reality is that revenue has been down the past few years, and that always comes with difficult decisions that will impact our community.”
Banda continued, “We will take some extra time to consider the impacts on our funding commitments and ensure that we are doing everything possible to maintain funding this year and at the same time, focus on sustainability so that we can continue to support our community into the future.
“We are confident in our way forward and believe that many in our community are ready to change lives and join us in our shared responsibility for social good.”
The total announced is based on received and pledged dollars. More than 150 workplaces took part in the campaign, and more than 4,000 donors contribute to United Way annually.
Donations are welcome year-round from all community members and are accepted online at unitedwayguelph.com or by calling the United Way office 519-821-0571.
As always, donations will stay 100% local.
