United Way in ‘strong financial shape’; new campaign chairman

This all-terrain vehicle and trailer is being raffled as part of the United Way of SD&G's 2015 campaign. The quad and trailer were highlighted during the AGM on June 16, 2015. (Cornwall Newswatch/Bill Kingston)

CORNWALL – With a strong financial base and a new campaign chairman at the helm, the United Way of SD&G is ready to tackle its 2015 campaign.

During the UW’s annual general meeting at the United Counties building Tuesday morning, Ian Murphy of Craig Keen Despatie Markell LLP highlighted the good financial picture.

Murphy said the local United Way, which supports 18 area agencies, has tangible assets of $700,000 and liabilities of $640,000, giving it overall net assets of $65,000 (approx.).

The auditor said 90 per cent of the money raised in the last campaign had been doled out area agencies as of the end of March, leaving it with a $3,000 surplus.

It was also announced that another agency has joined the fold – Sexual Assault Support Services of S.D.G.& A.

New campaign chairman

Businessman Michael Galvin is the new campaign chairman, taking over from Nolan Quinn and co-chairman Luc Lacelle.

Galvin, who was approached about being the figurehead, doesn’t anticipate anything different for the campaign this year, other than reaching out to community partners by “getting them involved and engaged.”

“Every year we set a goal that’s lofty but attainable and we look out for the community to come and help us all pull together,” Galvin told Cornwall Newswatch.

Galvin suggests the strong financial position of the United Way doesn’t make the campaign any easier. “We’re only as strong as the community that supports us so our campaign is going to be as challenging as in year’s past. We have a difficult economic situation that we’re working towards helping people that are the victims of that,” Galvin said.

Last year, fund raising struggled and the campaign had to be extended a week, ending at 97 per cent of its $707,070 goal ($685,000).

The United Way also showed off its first big fund raising item – an all-terrain vehicle and utility trailer – which will be raffled.

The quad will be showing up at various events this summer with tickets for $5 or five for $20.

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