United Way Halton and Hamilton announced their $12.5-million fundraising goal for 2024 and 2025 during a flag raising at Burlington City Hall Wednesday.
The not-for-profit organization raised around $12.5 million through last year's campaign, the highest ever, and grew rapidly thanks to the donations, adding 19 new agencies to the Hamilton and Halton areas.
Brad Park, president and CEO of United Way Halton and Hamilton, spoke at the flag-raising to encourage the community to continue supporting those in need.
“The amount of impact that will have across the communities is just incredible,” Park said. “We help support over 220,000 individuals across Hamilton and Halton through the programs we fund. That’s one in six people. One in six people in our community are accessing the programs and services United Way supports, so imagine what our community would look like without those supports.”
Claude DeMone, the 2024 Campaign Cabinet Chair for United Way Halton and Hamilton, also attended the event,
The organization set the same goal for this year’s campaign as they had set last year to avoid spreading the new agencies too thin.
The Local Love Community Match program is returning this year as well, and a group of local organizations and community members will be contributing $1 for every $4 raised during the campaign, up to $2.5 million.
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward was also present at the flag-raising and thanked the charity for the work they do for Burlington, Hamilton and Halton Region.
“Since COVID and, more recently, we see people really struggling,” she said. “These are people who often are working individuals, have a job and are trying to contribute to the community but, given the cost of housing, it’s just not enough. I’m glad the United way is there to help people, and really they embody the spirit of Burlington.”
Meed Ward also proclaimed October 2024 to be Support United Way Month, and asked for residents of Burlington to donate to the not-for-profit if they could.
United Way Halton and Hamilton are currently running more than 115 programs for individuals and families in need across the region, supporting around 220,000 people.
