CORNWALL, Ontario – The United Way of SDG kicked off its 2019-2020 #unignorable campaign season around 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 12, announcing proud partnerships that will strive to address issues like poverty, social isolation and unemployment in the community.
“Just this year, we are impacting hundreds of new families, thousands of new individuals…United Way hopes to create impactful and long lasting change in the community, and thanks to the work that our 16 partnered agencies already do in the community with our most vulnerable population, I can confidently say we are on track to make an even bigger impact next year,” said United Way Executive Director Juliette Labossière, thanking the organization’s dedicated volunteers and this year’s Campaign Committee.
United Way’s newly elected, first female and bilingual president of the Board of Directors, Brigitte Walker, reminded attendees that every contribution towards the campaign counts, and $2 donations add up to many thousands when everyone contributes what they can.
Throughout the breakfast kick-off event, hosted by Cornwall Kinsmen, speakers Angela Vinet and Debra Water from Sexual Assault Support Services for Women of SDGA, Annie Lachance and Caleb Grenier of l’Équipe psycho-sociale, and Peter Cazaly from Centre 105 shared personal stories, subsequently all impacted by funds and support from the United Way.
This year’s Campaign Chairperson David Booyink introduced his team, comprised of new board members and volunteers, as well as past employees.
“I need everybody’s help…we need to raise money, we need you to volunteer, but we also need to build awareness of what the United Way does and the agencies it supports…let’s together spread the message: we love where we live,” said Booyink.
Labossière thanked many community members who continually contribute towards the organization in big ways, forming various pillars and subsets of ‘heroes’, like supporter André Pommier.
“Every year André surpasses himself with amazing designs for his Angels Among Us Campaign. His beautifully designed Angels, inspired by our local agencies, this year is in honour of our very own Big Brothers and Big Sisters of SDG,” said Labossière.
