Sep 10, 2012- 4:40 PM
'I think it is a doable goal'
Last year's goal was $1.75 million, but the community exceeded that target by 11 per cent, raising more than $1.9 million.
Kevin McCormick, chair of the campaign cabinet, said he's confident the agency will meet or exceed its goal again this year.
“I think it is a doable goal,” he said, speaking to Northern Life Sept. 10 after the campaign goal was released.
“The cabinet sets the goal in consultation with the executive director and the board.
“We look at what are the needs in the communities in Sudbury that we're working with, and what the forecast needs to be, and what money would be available for them to continue to sustain those valuable contributions.”
McCormick, president of Huntington University, will be assisted with the fundraising initiative by the United Way Sudbury and Nipissing Districts' 2012 campaign cabinet.
Cabinet members include a number of community leaders, including Linda Wilson, Faith Salmaso, Sharon Baiden, Cynthia Pisaric, Mark Hartman, Jo-Anne Palkovits, Chantal Gladu, Kristeen McKee and Wyman McKinnon.
Jean Hanson, the retired director of education with the Rainbow District School Board, is the vice-chair of this year's campaign cabinet, and will act as the chair of the cabinet in 2013.
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Kevin McCormick, chair of the United Way Sudbury and Nipissing Districts' 2012 fundraising campaign, announced Sept. 10 the agency is looking to raise $1.85 million this year. Photo by Heidi Ulrichsen.
McCormick said donations come from a variety of sources, including private citizens, fundraisers and corporations.
The Royal Bank kicked off the agency's campaign with a $7,000 donation. At the other end of the spectrum, McCormick's young son has saved his allowance, and will be donating $330 to the initiative.
As for why people should consider donating to the campaign, McCormick said he sits on the board of several of the 52 local organizations which received United Way funding this year.
For example, St. John Ambulance's therapy dog program reaches out to some of the most vulnerable people in our society, he said.
“When you see someone who hasn't had a family member visit for eight months, and one of our volunteers goes in from St. John Ambulance with a smile on their face and a small dog, that's an amazing impact you have on people who have been forgotten, for the most part.”
Michael Cullen, executive director of United Way Sudbury and Nipissing Districts, said he's also confident the agency will meet its goal.
“We used to do a lot of special events at the United Way,” he said. “Now we don't do that. We focus our energy on relationships and one-on-ones and the corporate ask and the payroll campaign. We really focus on what we do well.”
In March, the organization changed its name from United Way Sudbury and District to United Way Sudbury and Nipissing Districts.
The Nipissing area has always been under the agency's umbrella, so it was time to reflect that fact in its name, Cullen said.
On Sept. 13, for the first time ever, the Nipissing district will launch its own United Way fundraising campaign, he said. Cullen said this campaign will have a small but attainable goal.
