Staff and supporters of the United Way of Perth-Huron took to a rooftop in downtown Stratford last week in a final push to reach the agency’s 2009 campaign goal.
And with the dollars raised through the last-minute fundraiser, as well as final contributions from corporate and individual sponsors this week, the campaign goal of $801,068 was surpassed.
The total raised – announced Monday evening at the United Way’s annual awards dinner – was $802,997.
“We passed our goal. We’re obviously very pleased with that,” commented campaign manager Benita Rooney.
Over Thursday and Friday last week, United Way staff and campaign co-chair Diane Mitchell spent 24 hours on the rooftop of SJ Mitchell, where they were “fishing” for donations over the edge. Businesses could also participate by nominating their boss. Every $500 raised equalled one hour on the roof.
“We decided we wanted to have some company up here with us,” noted Mitchell, Thursday afternoon from the rooftop. “We thought we’d put the challenge out there, and the community has risen to that challenge.”
Six businesses participated, including the Stratford Public Library, Re/Max, Scotiabank, Fred Groenestege Construction, Mix 107 and CJCS. Participants kept warm, or as warm as possible, throughout the day with coffee and hot chocolate from Tim Hortons. Meals were provided by Features and Stratford Meals on Wheels.
“Sometimes when that wind blows it’s a might chilly,” said Mitchell, with a smile, “but people have been coming over, donating whatever they can, and it’s getting some excitement and momentum going.”
Heading into the fundraiser, the campaign was at about 93 per cent. The event brought in an additional $16,000, which brought the campaign to within two per cent of its goal.
United Way executive director Ellen Balmain said the fundraiser was great way to raise awareness in the community, which likely helped push the campaign over its goal.
As the county continues to pull itself out of a recession, she said it was important the United Way be able to maintain its level of support to the services so many people rely on.
“When people are suffering, financially, so much of our work and our identity is tied into that,” she added.
“The last thing we want to even have to contemplate is reducing funding levels to anybody because we didn’t meet our goal.”
