Local love in action: United Way Campaign underway

Local love in action: United Way Campaign underway

By Communications Staff

October 1, 2020

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Every fall, the United Way campaign unites the Queen’s and Kingston communities to raise money to help close to 60,000 friends and neighbours through the many different agencies supported by United Way. This year, the campaign has a renewed sense of importance and urgency as our community deals with the effects of the pandemic and economic recovery.

United Way KFLA“Providing access to basic needs, like food, is critical right now,” says Bhavana Varma, President and CEO of United Way Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington. “We are doing everything we can with our agency partners to ensure no one is hungry and has access to the food they need.”

Right now, more than 1,600 meals are served a day to people needing food and 3,300 food hampers are being delivered every month to low-income seniors, students and families in our region through United Way programs. In addition to food security, mental health, homelessness, and issues facing women are some of the more pressing needs in our area currently.

Queen’s staff, faculty and retirees are leaders in our community having the largest workplace and retiree campaign within the region. The campaign goal for the Queen’s campaign is $300,179 which represents just over 10 per cent of the community-wide goal of $2.9 million.

Principal Patrick Deane is lending his support to the community campaign as a volunteer member of the Campaign Cabinet led by Chief Antje McNeely (Sc’83) of the Kingston Police.

“The pandemic has shown us all how interconnected we are and how important it is that we support one another with kindness and generosity of spirit. United Way is an incredible force for good that builds on this principle of kindness helping the most vulnerable in our community,” says Principal Deane.

Learn more about the United Way and how they are helping spread the ‘local love’ to help everyone in our community meet their needs and live with a sense of hope, dignity and belonging.

Virtual Lunch & Learn Speaker Series

New this year, join in this virtual Lunch & Learn Speaker Series to understand the needs in our community and how United Way and your donations are helping to make a difference. Everyone is invited to attend these webinars where you will hear directly from agency staff talking about their work and what is happening in our community right now.

Mark these events on your calendars and join in by Zoom.

Issues facing youth
Wednesday, Oct. 7 – 12:15-12:45 p.m.
Speakers: Shawn Quigley – Youth Diversion, and Denise Lamb – Kingston Youth Shelter
Link: https://queensu.zoom.us/j/92362110035?pwd=ekU0d0R4R1MvakZjcGVxcm0wNng5Zz09

Mental health
Wednesday, Oct. 14 – 12:15–12:45 p.m.
Speaker: Kim Irvine-Albano – Resolve Counselling
Link: https://queensu.zoom.us/j/96518824769?pwd=Z1NxbDVsZHM2VGwzUnhXL0xTa3B2UT09

Food security in our region
Wednesday, Oct. 21 – 12:15-12:45 p.m.
Speakers: Brenda Moore – Food Sharing Project, and Kathy Sturmey – KCHS Seniors Food Box Program
Link: https://queensu.zoom.us/j/94172825260?pwd=ZThtelkrRTBJcG1aaWZKd3Nrb2xDdz09

Women’s resilience
Wednesday, Oct. 28 – 12:15-12:45 p.m.
Speakers: Elizabeth Fry Society and Dawn House
Link: https://queensu.zoom.us/j/94053009432?pwd=YjFvYjBmU1JxVVYxV3VSdy81VHdMdz09

How to donate

To donate, visit ePledge.

One of the easiest ways to give is through payroll deduction (beginning in January 2021) with your donation coming right off your paycheque and your charitable donation receipt added to that year’s T4. You can also give a ‘one-time’ donation through online payment methods (credit card, PayPal).

“We know this is a difficult time for many people right now, but if you are in a position to give, this is the year — above all others — that we need your help,” says James Ligthart, Campaign Chair, Queen’s United Way Campaign.