The United Way of Peterborough and District launched the final leg of its three-year $5 million campaign Wednesday morning at the Healthy Planet Arena.
A number of speakers took the to podium, not only reviewing how $1.8 million in donations supported 230 local programs and initiatives over the past year but also pressing home the need for continued support of the United Way’s 20 member agencies.
United Way CEO Jim Russell says while it’s important to have a monetary target, what matters more is the broad realization that the annual appeal is about helping people.
Among the speakers was Kristal Jones, who put a face to the thousands who struggle daily with a variety of challenges but, when given opportunities such as those that United Way funding facilitates, give back to their community.
Rather than unveil a monetary goal, the United Way revealed the number of people that benefitted directly over the past year from funds raised. That, says Russell, is the only number that matters.
