Besides being focused on collecting money during their annual fundraising blitz, United Way took time Tuesday morning to give out $30,000 to womens' projects in Greater Sudbury.
Community grants were given out to four community agencies which deal with women's issues, said Glenn Thibeault, executive director.
“This is unique for us. We are thrilled to be distributing dollars at this time of the year, since this is usually the time when we are asking for dollars-as our annual fundraising campaign wraps up this time of year,” said Thibeault.
•Canadian Red Cross received $13,000 for a program that pays storage and moving costs for women at risk. For some women it has become unsafe to stay with their partners and they could lose access to their possessions.
•Christ the King Church received $6,000 for their Beech St. Community Kitchen that assists women and their children in food and nutritional information.
•Sudbury Multicultural & Folk Arts Association was funded $5,500 for their ethnic womens' resettlement program which provides supports for mentoring and conflict resolution for immigrant women under stress.
•Better Beginnings Better Futures was given $6,000 for their Spirits in the Wind program. It provides a gathering place for stay-at-home women who are presently living on social assistance or balancing a variety of jobs and dealing with poverty issues. The program will provide workshops on stress management, self care, self esteem, goal setting, budgeting, problem solving and communication.
Thibeault said United Way had the extra resources to hand out because of the success of the Be A Goddess womens' event held in May.
“The Goddess event is an event for women. This event sells out every year, and thanks to all of the women that attended that event, plus donations from a womens' golf tournament at the Idylwylde Golf and Country Club, we are able to provide these four programs with funding that they wouldn't have received otherwise,” he said.
The 2007 United Way campaign is going great guns, said Thibeault.
The 2007 target is $2 million.
“The campaign is going well. The economy is doing well. People realize that when they donate they are definitely helping local people with needs. They want to give to a cause they can relate to, not just a total. Once they understand that, then they want to support United Way,” he said.
The final total will be available January 24 at SilverCity Cinemas.
For more information, phone 560-3330 or visit www.unitedwaysudbury.com.
