CORNWALL, Ontario – The United Way of SD&G held their annual kickoff breakfast for their Fall Campaign at the Cornwall Legion on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018 hosted by the organization’s new Director of Operations, Meagan Bingley.
are availableThe Legion hall was packed with community members eager to enjoy the Kinsmen Club of Cornwall prepared breakfast and to hear about the important causes supported by the United Way.
This year’s new campaign chair is Angie Baker, who will be helped by a team of campaign committee members and through the support of the community.
“Our United Way mission is to improve lives by working together,” she said. “With your donations, we can continue to change lives in this community. Together we can continue to be United Way Heroes.”
To help encapsulate and showcase the important work that United Way supported agencies do in the Cornwall, Akwesasne and SD&G community, Tish Humphries, the founder and President of Beyond 21 was invited to address the breakfast.
Humphries explained how she started the Hub for Beyond 21 to support adults with disabilities who have aged out of the education system.
Beyond 21 is dedicated to help keep these adults active and connected to their community.
Six years ago, Beyond 21 and began with support from the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) found a home in the old TR Leger school.
As Beyond 21 has grown, they moved into a temporary location at Knox St. Paul church and Tish Humphries announced at the breakfast that in 2019, they would be moving into a new building of their own.
Today, Beyond 21 supports dozens of participants and has many more on their waiting list. Humphries explained that the work that they do would not be possible without the support they have received over the past six years from organizations such as The City of Cornwall, the United Counties of SD&G, the UCDSB and of course, the United Way.
“Thank you to the United Way for believing in us,” said Humphries. “Thank you to all who support the United Way.”
Bingley took time to introduce some of the important fundraising events that will take place during the Fall Campaign including their Change for Change campaign, the Celebration Sleigh the Pommier Angel Pendants and of course their signature event, the United Way Wine & Gourmet Tasting.
The Change for Change campaign involves returning water bottles filled with change. These bottles can be purchased at the LCBO in September and October and can be returned to the United Way office when full.
At the breakfast, Angie Baker announced that early bird tickets for their signature event, the Wine & Gourmet are now on sale at Baxtrom’s Your Independent Grocer and the United Way office.
There are 200 early bird tickets available for the Wine & Gourmet Tasting and those who buy early bird tickets will be entered into a draw for an overnight stay at the Nav Centre, a $500 gift card from Baxtrom’s and a $500 gift card from the LCBO.
“You better wear your dancing shoes because it will be a blast,” said Baker.
New United Way Board President Andrew Donahee said that the United Way is committed to helping as many people as possible.
“Our agencies are a link to what is happening around us,” Donahee said. “Again this year, we have decided not to pursue a set monetary goal. Our goal is to help as many people as possible so we won’t set an arbitrary number.”
