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United Way Announces 2005 Campaign Goal
For immediate release
Friday, August 19, 2005
The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton announced a goal today of $1,800,000, and a secondary goal of 10,000 Donors.
In what is expected to be the most challenging campaign ever, the United Way has set a goal equal to the 2004 goal, but slightly less than the $1,809,000 actually raised.
"We know this will be a challenging goal, " said Campaign Chair Martin Vrolyk, "we are all too aware of the continuing decline in Bingo Revenues, and the reduction of the industrial sector".
"Our focus continues to be to add more donors to the campaign. We know that getting people to donate the first time is most difficult. Then, once the tradition has been started, it is easier to request annual donations after," Vrolyk said.
One of the other challenges that faces the campaign this year is the potential effect of high fuel costs, home heating and electrical costs. We are all experiencing increased costs because of these factors, but we want to remind donors in Lambton that if we have all noticed an effect, imagine the magnified effect on some of the less advantaged residents in Lambton, and how they must be feeling the pinch.
The campaign will kickoff this year with the traditional Day of Caring on Tuesday, September 20, 2005.
There are a variety of new things planned for this year's campaign including an enhanced awareness campaign and a new and improved Poorboy Lunch and Auction, and an increased Labour focus.
"Part of our promotion campaign will include the selling of red silicone bracelets with the phrase "Get in the Way" that are being sold for $2 each. As well, residents will see more signs in the city at various times during the campaign." Vrolyk said. The bracelets will be available at various locations in Lambton, and can also be purchased at the United Way offices in the Kenwick Building across from City Hall in Sarnia.
This year's Poorboy Lunch will feature an Oktoberfest style of menu, and the focus will be on the auction. Later this campaign, the United Way will pilot an online auction that will be accessible through the United Way website. The Poorboy lunch will be held at the Sarnia Legion on Friday, October 7, 2005.
Vrolyk said that the United Way has had many meetings with the various Labour representatives this spring, and is hopeful that Labour's support of the campaign will give it a much needed boost. "The Education Unions have been very supportive in the past and we are very encouraged with their ideas and willingness to help even more this year," said Vrolyk. "Labour reps from some of the local industry have also offered their assistance this year", he added.
As a result to the spring mailing, the United Way campaign is off to a good start with over $130,000 so far, or 8% of the campaign.
Nearly 5,000 letters were mailed out to retirees today and based on that mailing, plus some early campaigns in industry that have already started to raise money, Vrolyk said he hopes to be between 15 and 20 per cent of the way at the kickoff date of September 21, 2005.
Many of the NOVA Chemicals sites, Shell, Bluewater Bridge Authority, and Imperial Oil have already begun their campaign special events. Planning is well underway at all other industrial companies, and at other employee campaigns around Lambton.
"Getting off to a good start is crucial", Vrolyk added, "but the real work is still ahead."
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For more information, please contact Martin Vrolyk at 542-1461,
or
Dave Brown at 336-5452 ext. 7.
Dave Brown
United Way of Sarnia-Lambton
Telephone: (519) 336-5452 ext. 7
Cellular: (519) 384-9270
Fax: (519) 383-6032
www.theunitedway.on.ca
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