As of this past Monday, $1,460,138 or 73% of this year’s United Way fundraising goal has been achieved.
To add to the growing success of Campaign, United Way also held their fourth annual Sockey Night in Red Deer last weekend in partnership with the Red Deer Rebels and the Red Deer Oilmen’s Society.
During second intermission of the Rebels game on Saturday evening, hockey fans were encouraged to throw socks onto the ice, which were then collected by United Way volunteers.
Thanks to the support of so many caring community members, volunteers and sponsors, United Way is able to donate a total of 1,600 socks to five local charities: Central Alberta Women’s Outreach Society, Central Alberta AIDS Network Society, Red Deer Clothing Bank, Canadian Mental Health Association and Safe Harbor Society.
“We saw the community really get behind this event. There is something inherently appealing about taking something very tangible like hundreds of pairs of socks and knowing that they are going to help keep people warm this winter,” said Robert Mitchell, CEO United Way of Central Alberta.
Sockey Night in Red Deer also raised more than $11,000 towards the 2012 United Way Community Campaign.
“We love this partnership with the Rebels because it brings awareness to the needs in the community and collects socks to meet some of those needs. We know that socks aren’t always enough, which is why we are working so hard to reach this year’s campaign goal,” said John Knoch, 2012 volunteer campaign co-chair.
This year the Red Deer Oilmen’s Society also came on as a major sponsor.
“We were able to see an alignment in what our organization’s interests are and one of United Way’s investment areas; building strong communities and healthy people. We were motivated to partner with United Way on this event because we know that our donation will have direct impact in the community,” said Patrick Wigmore, Red Deer Oilmen’s board member.
The money raised through sock and raffle sales will go put directly back into the community and provides consistent funding to over 30 programs and services in Central Alberta.
Last year, 16,880 low income families and communities members received food, clothing and shelter to meet their basic needs.
-Weber
