The United Way Hastings and Prince Edward has announced its 2021 fundraising campaign goal.
It is $1.95 million. There are 19 weeks remaining of the campaign and 22% of the goal has been met.
The goal was announced at an outdoor breakfast BBQ event Wednesday in Belleville. Close to 100 people attended.
The United Way HPE provides financial support to 51 charities and social service agencies in the two counties, which in turn provide 93 programs helping the more vulnerable people in the community.
Director of Donor Relations Melanie Cressman paid special tribute to the United Way’s biggest supporter over the years, Procter and Gamble.
“Between their own robust employee payroll campaign, the hours their team will spend on the Board of Directors and allocation committees, and the product that they will more than likely donate if it’s needed, P&G is a pillar of support for United Way Hastings and Prince Edward and we can’t thank you enough.”
Meanwhile, United Way Executive Director Brandi Hodge focused on the late Maurice Rollins and his Friends and Leaders Challenge which has since its inception leveraged around $3.8 million by matching donations at various levels.
Hodge had some very good news.
“We are so proud to have his children Christine Mills, Peter Rollins, John Rollins, and Jeffrey Rollins with us today to help us announce that the Marilyn and Maurice Rollins Foundation will continue the tradition of the Friends and Leaders Challenge matching Friends and Leaders gifts for the 2021 United Way fundraising campaign.”
Near the end of the campaign kickoff the Rollins family officially opened the organization’s headquarters, the Maurice Rollins Centre.
The late Maurice Rollins children. From left to right: Peter Rollins, Jeff Rollins, Christine Mills, John Rollins. (Photo: Quinte News)
Last year, the campaign, despite the COVID-19 restrictions, raised $1,958,494.
Another campaign known as the COVID-19 Response Fund brought the total for the year to $2,121,000.
This year’s campaign chair is Belleville Police Service Inspector Sheri Meeks, who also headed the 2020 fundraising effort.
Belleville Police Service Inspector and United Way fundraising Chair Sheri Meeks leads a group carrying United Way umbrellas through the neighbourhood surrounding the organization’s headquarters on Harriet Street in Belleville. (Photo: Quinte News)
