This month, Lloydminster is celebrating United Way Month. United Way supports agencies such as the Libbie Young Centre, the Lloydminster Native Friendship centre and the Lloydminster Interval Home, among others.
The President and Campaign Chair for United Way Brian Hamterman says it has been a difficult year.
“These last couple of years have been pretty tough, we had dropped significantly when the economy started to go down and this year again we dropped by about half in donations, we gave away about $60, 000 this year. Some of our agencies were looking forward to a little more than we could provide and a couple of agencies didn’t get any funds this year. We were actually at one point last year where we didn’t think we would be around.”
The demand has been going up as well.
“With the economy turning down, the need for our funding goes up because more people are accessing these services that are being provided throughout our community,” says Hamterman.
He says the good thing about United Way is the ability to donate to multiple charities at once.
“I think everyone’s positive they want to help, but there’s obviously a lot of different charities; their charity dollars are being pulled in a number of different directions and they obviously can’t help everyone. That’s the good thing about United Way, these groups come to us and we try to give them a slice of the pie.”
The United Way flag was raised at City Hall and there are several other events taking place throughout the month. Breakfast Day takes place on October 12, orders need to be in by the 10th. As well on the 19th, United Way will be holding their Treasure Chest Fundraiser, in which local students are encouraged to collect loose change and bring it to their school, the grade that raises the most over $500 will win a pizza party. All of the information can be found on their Facebook page.
“Everyone’s support and their dollars for our community are appreciated and are important to fundamental programs in our community,” says Hamterman.
https://www.facebook.com/CityofLloydminster/videos/1682458381778744/