United Way exceeds multi-million dollar goal
Posted Feb 24, 2011 09:58:51 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The United Way of Halifax Region has not only exceeded its target for donations, it brought in the most money ever achieved above and beyond its goal.
In September 2010 the goal of $6.2 million was set, and Thursday the organization thanked donors who contributed to its total of $6,332,604.
“I don’t think we’ve ever been this far over a goal. We are ecstatic and grateful to our community,” said president and CEO Catherine Woodman.
“We wanted to be ambitious because we know there is a tremendous amount of requirement for us to invest in our community and we wanted to narrow the gap between what we could raise and what is most needed in our community,” said Woodman.
The majority of the money is staying local – $4,496,097 was donated directly to community organizations with another $1,834,207 going to groups across Canada.
Campaign co-chair Robert Chisholm points to several local groups which will benefit including the Dartmouth Boys and Girls Club and a men’s shelter.
“The Freedom Foundation is supported by the United Way. It provides support for men who have problems with addictions. It provides them with a safe place to go to get help and deal with those addictions,” explains Chrisholm.
Funds raised go to campaigns for safer neighbourhoods and 54 local community-based agencies, and efforts to support the 211 telephone number which if implemented would link people to community, social, health and government services and programs as needed.
“[People] are overcoming a number of obstacles in many cases, some living within strict constrained financial need, some working through disabilities, living with mental illness, abuse,” said Woodman. “The one thing they all have in common is a tremendous desire to change their lives and impact their community.”
The announcement was during a breakfast event for donors, volunteers and community leaders at the Cunard Centre Thursday. Some 750 people attended.
