United Way of Quinte: best fundraising increase in 10 years

By Zachary Greco

The United Way of Quinte has just seen its greatest increase in fundraising in the past 10 years as the 2011 campaign hit $1,807,488.  This is a 10-per-cent increase from $1,636,268 raised in 2010.

The money raised in this year’s campaign will be used to continue the support of the not-for-profit charitable sector in Hastings and Prince Edward counties.

The United Way of Quinte funds over 45 agencies in the area with over 80 programs run through those agencies.  Gleaners food bank, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, the YMCA and the Canadian Red Cross are some of the agencies receiving support from the United Way.

This year’s increased funds will allow for the development of new funding streams that will help other community-wide initiatives.  New programs being developed include a youth leadership program, a partnership grants program for community-wide organizations partnering up with one another and an organizational capacity program to help small organizations that don’t have the financial resources.

“This is a credit to the community,” says executive director Judi Gilbert.  “It is definitely a community achievement and I am truly amazed at the level of giving in a time of such economic uncertainty.”

“We should never underestimate the generosity, kindness and compassion of people throughout the Quinte region,” said campaign chair David Allen at the annual achievement celebration last Thursday night at the Empire Theatre.

“This number tells a story, it tells me that the people of the Quinte region get it and they understand how to build a community,” said Allen in a press release.  “It tells me, that even during these challenging economic times that people care, they care about our community, they care about their neighbours, they want to make a difference.”

“This year’s incredible result certainly says to me that we are firing on all cylinders,” said chair of the board of directors Rosemary Judd-Archer.

In the press release, Judd-Archer said the board is moving the organization forward.  “Our management team and staff members are focused on achieving results and our donors – individuals, workplace teams and companies – have demonstrated their belief in us through their incredible financial support.”