United Way Reaches 30 Per Cent of Fundraising Goal; City Holds Chili Cook-Off & Bake Sale Fundraiser

Twelve chilis and baked goods made by City of Peterborough staff helped raise money for United Way Peterborough & District as the latter has announced that they raised 30 per cent ($450,000) of their $1.5 million fundraising goal at the McDonnel Street Activity Centre on Wednesday.

Mayor Jeff Leal was a judge to try our 12 different chilis made by City of Peterborough staff. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The United Way set its $1.5 million goal on Sept. 11 which runs until March 31.

The announcement occurred during the City of Peterborough's workplace campaign launch event.

“United Way Peterborough & District and the City of Peterborough have had a longstanding partnership which has included running one of the most successful workplace campaigns for a number of years,” said Jim Russell, United Way CEO. “Workplace campaigns were threatened by the pandemic, making it difficult to build community and engage employees in the campaign. Today, the City of Peterborough hosting their annual chili cook-off once again is a sign that we are turning over a new page in our community.”

The ‘30%’ signs were made from pictures of chili bowls. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Russell continued emphasizing the importance of hitting the campaign goal based on the community's needs.

“There is a rising need for support services in our community and a dwindling number of other funding sources available to sustain these services,” said Russell. “Participating in the United Way campaign means that you are building community by contributing to the largest non-government funder of social services.”

He continued to speak about the energy he has felt on the campaign trail and the power of the new donation match challenge.

“It has never been as easy as it is today to extend the reach of your gift through the Double Your Difference initiative,” said Russell. “We're finding that the energy of this year's campaign is contagious, with workplaces facilitating more creative employee giving opportunities than we have seen in recent years.”

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