United Way raises nearly $1.4 million
By Chris Simon

Baxter Central Public School students received the School Community Spirit Award from members of the United Way, during the charitable organization's 2007 campaign celebration at Georgian Downs last week.

Representatives from over 200 local businesses and organizations were on hand for the United Way of Greater Simcoe County's 2007 campaign celebration, which took place at Georgian Downs last week.

The 2007 campaign raised over $1.36 million for United Way sponsored charities throughout the region, a five per cent increase over 2006 totals, said United Way branch executive director Seija Suutari.

"Greater Simcoe County is an incredibly supportive community. All sectors and workplaces were wellrepresented throughout this campaign," she said. "We did much more than celebrating raising funds, we celebrated community building and the spirit of our county."

During the celebration, several organizations and businesses were presented with awards. Several South Simcoe organizations received honours, including Canadian Forces Base Borden, OLG Slots at Georgian Downs, Baxter Central Public School, Flex- N-Gate Bradford, the Ontario Provincial Police, and the County of Simcoe.

"Through raising and allocating funds, or support through training and consulting services, United Way serves individuals and programs in need," said United Way branch board of directors president Jim Dickie. "By working together across all sectors corporately and as individuals, we can meet the challenges and seize the opportunity to build a stronger community."

Across the region, over 150,000 people are aided by United Way agencies each year. In South Simcoe, over 59,400 people receive help from 65 United Way sponsored agencies in 2006.

In total, United Way donated nearly $454,300 to those agencies in 2006, which include local branches of the Canadian Mental Health Association, Canadian Red Cross Society, South Simcoe Community Information Centre, Simcoe Community Services, St. John Ambulance, Deaf Access Simcoe and Hospice Simcoe, said Dickie.

"Simcoe County is one of the fastest growing communities in Canada, and we're going to see continued growth for the foreseeable future; it's quite a challenge for all of us," he said. "With this growth, we're going to see a lot of challenges and opportunities throughout Simcoe County. There are those that find themselves in need of our support and it's our mandate to work towards meeting these needs."

Those funds allow community agencies to do valuable work, says Louise Gagne, executive director of Deaf Access Simcoe.

"Funding supports several areas which help people live in safe and supportive communities, reduce cycles of poverty and abuse, living with independence and dignity, supporting health, thriving children and strong families," she said.

"Support reaches throughout Simcoe County, and helps aging individuals become accustomed to hearing loss and (the purchase of) new hearing aids when you support any hearing society."

Base Borden Col. Stewart Moore says the campaign was successful.

"Anytime you can mobilize the resources of a community and raise over a million dollars, that accomplishment represents tremendous success," he said. "Each and every gift we receive is significant, regardless of its size, and will have a direct and lasting impact on our community members who are served by United Way affiliated agencies and programs."