United Way campaign extended until mid-January

CORNWALL – With the United Way campaign sitting at 82 per cent of its goal, officials announced Friday the campaign has been extended until mid-January.

With just over $582,000 of the $710,000 goal, United Way Executive Director Lori Greer told Cornwall Newswatch the campaign will go until Jan. 15.

“We are a little bit ahead of where we were last year with a very similar situation and we did receive donations that came in around the holidays and after the holidays and we ended up finishing at 97 per cent of our goal last year,” Greer said.

Last year’s campaign was extended until Jan. 9.

Greer acknowledges the struggle charities everywhere are facing this year.

“There’s a lot of people asking for funds. We are very fortunate we have a wonderful base of people that donate to the United Way year after year. We are very fortunate with the payroll campaign … there’s a lot going on … but people are extremely generous … I marvel at the amount of money that’s donated.”

“Even though we’re going to extend the campaign, in the end we’ll be able to get there,” she said.

Greer also noted that the organization relies almost entirely on volunteers, with the exception of three paid staff. “We are very, very careful with the money. We strive to put as much as possible back into the community every year,” she said.

Roughly 80 per cent of the organization’s budget goes to the 17 member agencies and Success by 6 and Winter Warmth. “All the programming encompasses about 80 per cent of our total budget,” Greer said.

Friday at Cornwall Square, which would have been the campaign wrap up day, also marked a draw for a $3,000 travel voucher and the $5,000 Celebration Sleigh giveaway.

Sylvie Cyr won the Travel Quest voucher draw, supported by Your Credit Union.

Julie Lapierre had entered the draw for the Celebration Sleigh a couple weeks ago and happened to be in Cornwall Square finishing her Christmas shopping during the draw.

“My boyfriend said, oh I think they’re going to pick my name. No, they did pick his name they picked my name,” Lapierre said with a laugh.

This was the first time Lapierre had ever won a draw.

Lapierre – originally from Summerstown but lives in Cornwall – has a daughter and four grandchildren who will be excited with the win.

You can make a donation by going here online and there’s information on other ways to donate.