United Way Executive Director Dave Brown and 2019 Campaign Chair Vicky Ducharme. 2 January 2020. (Photo by United Way)United Way Executive Director Dave Brown and 2019 Campaign Chair Vicky Ducharme. 2 January 2020. (Photo by United Way)
Sarnia

United Way campaign still lagging behind last year

The Sarnia-Lambton United Way campaign continues to lag behind last year's pace.

Executive Director Dave Brown said they've raised $706,000, or 37 per cent of the $1.9 million target.

He said the pandemic has presented challenges.

"We're starting to see the impact from not being able to run the regular 50/50 draws and raffles that we used to do certainly," said Brown. "We're not doing the events that we used to. A lot of companies are being very created with grab-and-go lunches and ordering lunches from outside but it's not the same impact that we had in previous years."

He said despite the challenges the campaign has faced during the pandemic, mail-in donations have been steady.

"The mail campaign is doing very well. Some of our campaigns are actually at or above last year's pace when you look at where they're at relative to the direct mail and for our online giving."

Brown said, so far, 1,500 donors have supported this year's campaign. He anticipates they'll need about 4,200 donors by the end of the year to reach their target.

The United Way funds 18 agencies providing 36 community programs and services.

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