$5M goal for newly amalgamated United Way

Niagara’s newly united United Way has set its sight on raising $5 million through its inaugural campaign.

And although it’s slightly less than the total raised by the three former agencies last year, campaign chair Sean Simpson said he’s hoping “that when the final number gets announced, that we blow (the campaign goal) out of the water.”

Because it’s the first campaign since the merger of the former St. Catharines and District, Niagara Falls and Fort Erie, and South Niagara United Ways, Simpson said the organization “wanted to be conservative” in setting a goal.

“But we are counting on hopefully maintaining the same amount of support that we received last year, and we’re definitely optimistic that we’ll see more support from across the region.”

United Way Niagara held its campaign kickoff breakfast at White Oaks Conference Resort and Spa Wednesday.

Simpson — he led the final campaign for St. Catharines and District United Way last year, exceeding its goal by more than $300,000 — has returned to lead the regionwide campaign for the amalgamated agency.

“I guess they can’t find anybody else,” Simpson quipped. “But I’m happy to be back. It’s an exciting campaign to be part of, and I’m glad to have the opportunity to be able to work with the team again.”

United Way executive director Frances Hallworth said 487 people showed up for the event.

“We were so excited. It was a really nice first United Way Niagara campaign launch,” she said.

While United Way staff are encouraged about the potential the merger offers, Hallworth said it also poses a challenge.

“Of course, there is a huge learning curve here for us, trying to get to know as many people as we can,” she said. “And not in just employee campaigns, but there are also donors in the communities that we don’t know.”

Hallworth said she’s looking forward to fundraising events taking place throughout the region, giving her “the opportunity to meet some of the donors that I’ve never had the opportunity to meet before.”

Simpson said people in local communities are still welcome to donate to specific agencies or charities supported by United Way, or to assist people in specific communities.

“That being said, I think the largest impact that can be made in the community is for the undesignated funds, but we certainly wouldn’t stand in anybody’s way of wanting to see their contributions go to something that they feel strongly about,” Simpson said.

The next United Way event is the 138th annual Royal St. Catharines Croquet Club Charity Classic Doubles Tournament, taking place on the grounds of St. Catharines city hall next Monday to Friday.