United Way campaign raises $1.96M

The fact United Way Sudbury and Nipissing Districts was able to surpass its 2012 campaign goal shows the people of Greater Sudbury are “amazing,” according to the campaign's chair.

Since the campaign was launched three months ago, $1.96 million was raised in Greater Sudbury, along with about $100,000 in the Nipissing district. The goal was to raise $1.85 million.

Last year, the organization's campaign brought in $1.95 million, but there wasn't yet a separate campaign in Nipissing.

“I think it's a testament to Sudbury reaching out,” campaign chair and Huntington University president Kevin McCormick said, speaking at a press conference held at Theatre Cambrian Dec. 13.

“These are challenging times in our community for those in need. Sudbury, when they could, gave of their time, their resources and their passion to make sure everyone has an opportunity.”

During his time working with the United Way, McCormick said he's learned a lot about how important the organization is to the more than 50 charitable agencies it funds.

“The United Way is important, because right now there's someone who hasn't eaten for days who's going to be fed because of one of the agencies which was supported,” he said.

“There's a person in their 90s who hasn't been visited for two or three days or weeks, who's going to be visited and shown that they're still important. There's a young person living on the street that's going to be given a chance.”

United Way campaign manager Richard Pilon, from left, campaign chair Kevin McCormick and executive director Michael Cullen give a thumbs up to the final fundraising tally of $1.96 million. Photo By Marg Seregelyi

United Way Sudbury and Nipissing Districts executive director Michael Cullen said while the campaign total isn't the highest in the organization's history, it's the best in the last few years.

“Back in 2008, it was about $2.4 million,” he said. “Then due to the economic climate, things sort of evolved downward, and we've sort of been picking ourselves back up. It's got good momentum going forward.”

He said about 87 cents of every dollar raised by the United Way goes directly to organizations. Because the United Way was able to surpass its campaign goal this year, it will mean more programs will be funded, Cullen said.

Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Greater Sudbury executive director Chantal Gladu, who sat on the United Way campaign cabinet this year, said her organization receives about $52,000 in funding from the organization each year.

The money accounts for about 23 per cent of Big Brothers, Big Sisters' annual budget.

“It's a huge support for us, because that's funds that we don't have to go in the community and fundraise ourselves for, and take a lot of staff time and volunteer time,” she said.

“It's just a critical source of funding that we need in order to be able to help these children and give them the mentoring relationships that they so desperately need and want.”

During the press conference, United Way Sudbury and Nipissing Districts also presented a total of $17,700 in grants to three organizations — Theatre Cambrian, Art Gallery of Sudbury and Young Canada Rocks Inc.

These grants became available because of a refund in allocation dollars due to one of United Way's member agencies receiving permanent government funding.

Awards were also presented to workplaces for their outstanding contributions to the 2012 campaign. The following workplaces were honoured:

-New Campaign Award – CenturyVallen
-Team Spirit Award – Sudbury and District Health Unit
-Workplace Labour Award – USW 2020 at Reliance Home Comfort
-Community Giving Award – Cambrian Ford
-Agency Awards – John Howard Society
-Cornerstone Awards (for raising more than $25,000) – City of Greater Sudbury, Domtar, Health Sciences North, Laurentian University, RBC Royal Bank
-100K Awards (for raising more than $100,000) – Canada Revenue Agency, Ontario Public Service, Vale/USW, Xstrata Nickel