With a total of $3,601,549 raised, United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin has met its 2018 fundraising goal.
Nearing the goal of $3.6 million was motivational, especially as the campaign was coming to a close, said Jim Jarrell, president and COO of Linamar Corporation and the 2018 United Way Campaign Chair.
“We all said, ‘hey we’re close, so we have to get out there and give it one last college try.’ That’s what everybody did at the end,” said Jarrell.
The total raised is just $1,549 over the campaign goal of $3.6 million.
“Again, the community rallied and we are just so grateful for everybody in the community coming together,” said Ken Dardano, executive director of United Way. “We couldn’t do it without the community’s support.”
Over 7,000 individual donors contributed to the campaign, said Dardano.
The announcement was made Friday during a campaign closing and volunteer appreciation event held at the Delta Hotel.
The funds raised by United Way support an estimated 85,000 people through more than 50 agencies and 75 social service programs across Guelph, Wellington county and Dufferin county.
“Everybody recognizes that needs are increasing in our community and we are not immune to that — be it mental health issues, the opioid crisis — there are so many agencies that need that additional push,” said Dardano.
Linamar Corporation, University of Guelph, Sleeman Breweries and the City of Guelph, took home the awards for Campaign of the Year. Linamar itself raised a record $869,000 company-wide.
The Co-operators and OMAFRA were also recognized with United Way awards.
Participating in the campaign is a great motivator for Linamar employees, said Jarrell.
“It brings our teams together in our plants, too. Everybody gets motivated and works together as a team,” he said.
In total, more than 200 workplaces took part in the campaign. Dardano said some workplace campaigns have not yet closed and are expected to add slightly to the 2018 total.
The successful campaign marks 12 years in a row the local United Way has made their fundraising goal.
“We have been one of the most successful United Ways, again, thanks to the community's support," said Dardano.
