United Way reaches out in fundraising launch

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on September 13, 2022.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Officials raise the United Way flag as part of the 2022 Community Fundraising campaign kick off Monday morning at city hall.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The United Way of Lethbridge and South Western Alberta kicked off their 2022 community fundraising campaign and raised their flag Monday morning at City Hall.

The need for United Way community fund support outweighed their capacity to provide in 2021, said executive director Jaci Zalesak.

“We need our community’s help to meet our goal, to raise $280,000 to increase United Way’s capacity to support partner organizations and local programs,” said Zalesak.

She said individuals can contribute in different ways, from donating online or buying raffle tickets when they see representatives of the United Way at Hurricanes games, by volunteering with one of the organizations supported by the United Way or by advocating for positive change in our community.

Zalesak said they put their donations to work where they get the greatest results.

“Thanks to the support of donors from across Lethbridge and southwestern Alberta, there are ten United Way programs working to support people and their families this year,” said Zalesak.

Acting Mayor Belinda Crowson told the media that the United Way and the City of Lethbridge have been partners for 81 years and she hopes they will remain partners for many years to come.

“The City has always been involved, because the City recognizes the importance of community and supporting everyone in our community,” said Crowson about the longstanding partnership.

She said that when 20 per cent of the children in Lethbridge are living in poverty, we need to do something as community members.

“When we look back, United Way started after the Great Depression and during the Second World War. A time of incredible need, and we’re seeing that again. So, I strongly encourage the public to look at the United Way to consider volunteering, to consider donating because the need is there,” said Crowson.

Zalesak said that every little bit everyone gives helps.

“Every bit matters, ten dollars can feed a kid at lunch at school, a $100 can feed ten kids, so that makes the world of a difference to so many people out there,” said Zalesak.

She said the money that is raised here, stays here.

Multiple organizations that have benefited from United Way’s Community Fund in the last three years were listed in a press release including the Interfaith Food Bank Society of Lethbridge, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Chinook Sexual Assault Centre, Woods Homes, New West Theatre and Womanspace Resource Centre.

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