2022 was a record year for United Way Niagara. The annual fall campaign, led by Campaign Chair and President of Niagara College Canada, Sean Kennedy, raised more funds than the organization has ever raised in one year. United Way announced a fundraising total of $5,270,000 at their annual Campaign Celebration on March 22, surpassing the $5 million-dollar goal set in September. The celebration was a return to in-person festivities after a three-year hiatus.
“It has been my pleasure to serve as the 2022 Campaign Chair,” said Niagara College President Sean Kennedy. “I am inspired by the generosity of the donors and volunteers who have not only met the challenge of our five-million-dollar fundraising goal, but who dug deep to exceed it substantially. Thank you to each and every one of you for your commitment to making Niagara a better place for everyone who lives here.”
Even more staggering is the number of people that accessed United Way-funded programs last year. Prior to this past year, the most people helped was approximately 130,000 in 2020. In 2022 a nearly 35% increase in people accessing United Way funded programs illustrates the need is greater than we have ever seen, surpassing 175,000 people helped for the first time ever.
“We’re so thankful that our dedicated supporters answered the call and helped us to reach this milestone,” said United Way Niagara CEO Frances Hallworth. “Dealing with inflation and continued fallout from the pandemic, the need for services in 2022 was greater than ever before. United Way will ensure the funds so generously donated will be directed where they’re needed most to respond to the growing need for supports throughout Niagara.”
The 2022 Campaign Celebration gathered local donors, supporters, businesses, labour partners and agencies to reflect on the record setting year and look towards the future. Reaching a new fundraising milestone proved that together the community can do better. Lifting vulnerable individuals out of poverty and allowing everyone to experience equity will take more than just one person or agency to achieve. Visit unitedwayniagara.org to learn about how you can get involved.
2022 Campaign Award Winners:
ANITA ROBERTSON LEGACY AWARD – Mike & Carol Clarke
CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR – General Motors St. Catharines Propulsion Plant
COMMUNITY BUILDER AWARD – Niagara College Canada
COMMUNITY PARTNER AWARD – Post Foods Canada
CORPORATION OF THE YEAR – Quartz Co Surfaces
LONGSTANDING SERVICE AWARD – City of Welland
MUNICIPAL CHALLENGE – Town of Fort Erie
UNSUNG HERO AWARD – The Brown Homestead and Humeniuk Foundation
About United Way: United Way works to tackle some of the biggest social issues in Niagara; investing in solutions to poverty, food security, mental illness, homelessness, domestic violence and social isolation. United Way supported 143 programs across the region in 2022, serving over 175,000 people when they needed it the most.
