Sudbury Living publisher to lead United Way campaign

When Patricia Mills took the post of vice-chair of this year's United Way Sudbury and Nipissing Districts capital campaign, she did so knowing she'd have the mentorship of the campaign's chair, Jean Hanson.

Mills was then supposed to take her turn in the fundraising hot seat in 2014.

Unfortunately, Hanson, the former director of education with the Rainbow District School Board, has had to step down from the volunteer role due to illness.

Mills, publisher of Sudbury Living Magazine Group and Northern Life's sister company, Northern Ontario Business, will lead the capital campaign in her place. She said she has an advantage, since Hanson has already done a lot of the work.

“I'm going to be the face of the campaign, but I'm representing Jean, as well,” Mills said. “It's about her as much as it's about anything else, because she has laid that foundation.”

The United Way will launch its 2013 capital campaign Sept. 18, when it will unveil its three-year strategic plan and its campaign cabinet members. The 2012 campaign raised $1.96 million for more than 50 charitable agencies it funds. While she can't say just yet how much they're hoping to raise this year, Mills did say the 2013 campaign will be significantly different.

“There's a whole new direction and a different type of strategy,” she said. “It's going to bring the United Way more into the future, so I'm excited about that part.”

While Mills knows leading the capital campaign will be a challenge, she's looking forward to it.

“To me it's a privilege to be able to offer this type of help if it's going to create awareness and move the United Way towards its objective.”