Donation program benefits Albertans
By Yoos, Cam on July 6, 2020.
Greg Bobinec
Lethbridge Herald
The provincial government is thanking residents for donating $5 million to charities by participating in their charitable giving-matching donation program.
To support the COVID-19 response efforts, the Government of Alberta offered to match donations up to $2 million to eight designated Alberta-based registered charities. Alberta’s donations, combined with the government’s matching, raised about $7 million for the designated COVID-19 campaigns.
“Albertans have come together to help others during a time when we are all struggling with different challenges due to COVID-19,” says Leela Sharon Aheer, minister of culture, multiculturalism and status of women. “As we begin the road to recovery, we thank Albertans for their overwhelming response and for kindly donating to help these fundraising campaigns so they can continue to meet the needs of vulnerable communities.”
The Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta will be receiving funding for their COVID Response and Recovery Grants Program. Donations raised by Albertans and partially matched by the provincial government will help feed the hungry, care for seniors, and support at-risk children.
“Thanks to the generosity of Albertans and the Government of Alberta’s matching program, millions of dollars have been raised to support people most at risk during COVID-19,” says Karen Young, president and CEO, United Way of Calgary and Area. “We’ve been able to work with local partners, philanthropists, and a strong network of social agencies to quickly provide help with basic needs like food, shelter, mental-health supports, technology, and personal protective equipment. This has made a huge difference in our communities at a time when many Albertans are struggling with unemployment, poverty, isolation, homelessness and other challenges.”
COVID-19 fundraising programs play an important role in allowing donations to flow through local community-based non-profits and charitable organizations that deliver services to vulnerable Albertans. The government of Alberta says they salute all of the partner organizations for making this initiative a success through their campaign.
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