United Way Hastings & Prince Edward announced it exceeded its 2022 fundraising campaign goal of $2 million.
The final total, announced to supporters at a breakfast celebration at the Fairfield Inn on Tuesday, was $2,104,711.
Executive Director Brandi Hodge says the announcement comes after rising inflation and a rise and fall in resources.
“It was more challenging for sure,” Hodge told media members.
“We certainly saw some decreases in giving in some places, but we saw increases elsewhere. So I think that sometimes when times are tough and times are a little bit hard, and the pressure is there, the community realizes that and then responds accordingly.”
2022 campaign chair Hilary Murphy also spoke to media members about how people were able to buy in to the campaign.
“I think there was a real willingness to listen,” Murphy said.
Hodge says what was learned this year in fundraising will carry over into the 2023 campaign goal.
“The need is not going to go away. It’s not going to be less, it’s going to be higher. We know that. So the goals that we set every year are going to be in response to that need,” Hodge says.
Among the speakers at the event were Executive Director Brandi Hodge, 2022 campaign chair Hilary Murphy and keynote speaker Dan McCullough.
McCullough is the Assistant General Manager at Magna Autosystems and is a 2022 Campaign Cabinet member.
He spoke about Magna’s contributions to the campaign as well highlighting incorporating community engagement within the workplace.
United Way Hastings & Prince Edward says about 130 people were in attendance for the announcement.
