Typically United Way HPE doesn’t announce the final campaign total until mid-February, however, these aren’t typical times. The organization is reporting they are confident the goal of $1.95 million will be reached by the end of the campaign.
“Over the holidays we spent some quiet time reviewing the generosity of donors and sponsors and projecting end of campaign results – we are very optimistic that we will reach our campaign goal of $1,950,000,” reports Brandi Hodge, Executive Director. “There are still some workplace supporters who have yet to report and those results are, of course, unknown, but conservative projections based on relationships & historical giving are factored in.”
The volunteer campaign cabinet members are poised to stretch as much as possible. “We all know the need in our community is very high,” states Inspector Sheri Meeks, United Way’s 2021 Volunteer Campaign Chair. “When United Way closed its funding application process, local not-for-profits had requested $500,000 more in funding than United Way was able to allocate last year. People need help. So our team is going to do everything we can to raise as much as we can, to close the gap between the campaign goal and the need in our community.”
With 25 days left to give, every single dollar counts. “Dollar by dollar, we’ll work to close the gap as much as possible,” says Melanie Cressman, Director of Donor Relations. Each year UWHPE-funded agencies provide support to thousands of people in Hastings and Prince Edward counties. “It’s different this year. Nobody anticipated COVID lasting this long and we’re only just realizing the extensive long-term fallout of the pandemic. At this point it’s not about the goal; there are so many people who need some help right now and we feel compelled to keep going— to push and to respectfully ask for everyone’s help in breaching the $2 million mark.”
To donate to the United Way HPE campaign visit www.unitedwayhpe.ca, call 613-962-9531 or mail your contribution to 55 Harriett St., Belleville, ON K8P1V6. Donors can also reach out to any of the Volunteer Campaign members:
- Inspector Sheri Meeks—Belleville Police Service
- Liz Knuude—BMO Nesbitt Burns
- Hilary Murphy—Taskforce Engineering
- Donna McKeown—Community Living Belleville & Area
- Carl Bowker—Quinte Hastings Paramedics
- Dan McCullough—Magna—Autosystems
- Cindi Nicholls—Canada Revenue Agency
- Sarah Rozema-Seaton—Big Red Bow
- Maj Angeline Marasse—8 Wing CFB Trenton
- Chief Monica Belair—Belleville Fire
