Some of Chatham-Kent's more vulnerable residents can look forward to a bit of a boost because of a charitable donation from Enbridge Gas.
The United Way Centeraide Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent received $234,195 from the utility company following its workplace campaign.
Lorraine Goddard, CEO of the United Way Windsor-Essex Chatham-Kent, said they're thrilled with the support from not only Enbridge, but other businesses and groups as well.
"There are 40 [or] 50 workplaces and different kind of groups that support United Way, directly through employee giving or through corporate giving across Chatham-Kent," she shared. "Enbridge, as it is one of the largest employers in Chatham-Kent, is our largest workplace campaign as well."
December is a busy time of year for the United Way, as Goddard explained that the United Way is right in the middle of collecting donations.
"It is our fundraising season, if you will, where we are raising money to support some of our most vulnerable people in the community," she noted. "The dollars that we're raising now, and we're hoping to get to close to $700,000, will go a long way in support of addressing some of those needs in the coming year."
Over the past year, Goddard said the United Way focused on providing food security and supporting school and emergency needs for people. This year, she explained that the goal has changed slightly.
"What we're looking at, ahead, is we're going out in the community and seeing if there's support for the United Way to invest in a Cradle to Career Strategy in Chatham-Kent," Goddard said. "That really focuses on providing support at a neighbourhood level for children that are growing up [with] low-income, who face many barriers to their success. [The strategy includes] wrap-around supports for the child and their family and moves them through education so that they end up in post-secondary school, and then graduate from there."
Goddard explained that if there is enough community support for the Cradle to Career Strategy, that's where the United Way will be investing the workplace campaign funds.
She added that all dollars raised in Chatham-Kent will stay in Chatham-Kent.
"[That's why] it's important to raise as many dollars as we can in order to really invest deeply in the community, so that we can measure our impact and be able to prove to donors and the community that we are really changing things," Goddard said.
Outside of workplace campaigns, the United Way is currently running a raffle called "Dinner Anywhere in the World."
The winner can choose to go anywhere in the world, with a guest, with the prize money covering airfare and expenses up to $10,000.
Tickets are $10 or 3 for $25, and can be purchased at the United Way office in Chatham-Kent or online.
The winning ticket will be drawn in February.
