The United Way Perth Huron (UWPH) brought its fundraising campaign kickoff to Wingham on Thursday, spreading the word of what the organization has been up to and what this year's lofty target will go towards.
At the relatively new North Huron Connection Centre located in the St. Paul's Trinity Anglican Church, Ryan Erb, UWPH Executive Director, announced this year's fundraising target was $2,624,772.
Erb, said they've upped their goal about $300,000 from last year's final total.
"The main reasons are, first of all we want to provide an increase to the supportive partners we have because they're facing inflation and longer lineups with all of their social services," he said. "We also are trying to expand programming in South Huron, so there's a new youth drop-in program that's a part of that number that we're trying to move forward. And the connection centres generally are seeing higher demand across the region, including here in Wingham, so we're trying to raise more money to increase staffing levels at the centres."
MPP Lisa Thompson and North Huron Reeve Paul Heffer were among those in attendance at the centre, to hear about the impact its had on the community.
Supervisor Ashley Carter said the centre is seeing about 10 people a day, which has more than doubled since it launched in early 2023. Staff have been helping connect people with everything from veterans funding, to domestic violence resources and housing supports.
The centre also provides showers, food and clothing to the unhoused population. But Carter clarified that's not the only people they can assist.
"I think the word still needs to get out," she said. "I think there's just some confusion about the services that we can provide here. Even if you are housed but you are struggling, we're still happy to see you come in and we can help you find the supports you need. If you are at risk of losing your housing, we want to help you try and keep that."
Erb says there will be several opportunities for the community to support United Way in the coming months. They'll partner with local Tim Hortons for the Holiday Smile Campaign in November, and the organization's biggest event, Coldest Night of the Year, takes place in February.
But first, there's a Loonie Toonie auction being run by Penny's of Blyth next month. On October 19, from 6 to 9 p.m., people are invited to the Blyth Community Centre to take part in the event, which will include dinner and a cash bar.
"I just want to say thank you to the community for their incredible generosity," said Erb. "The United Way comes and asks for funds every year and somehow we make it. We're just so grateful that people step up and we want to say that it's critically important that we raise the level of funds this year for the services that we're supporting in the community. We're just seeing so much more demand that we need to get there."
To learn more about United Way Perth-Huron and the services they support, visit their website.
