Message from the President
Welcome – I am so pleased you have taken the opportunity to visit our website, and find out what your United Way is doing to support your community. For over 20 years, your United Way has served the Lanark County/Smiths Falls community. In 2010, 7616 individuals benefited from contributions made to United Way of Lanark County. The funds we raise – nearly $355,000 last year – help children, families, youth, seniors and those with life challenges, on an annual basis. Roughly translated, 1 in every 10 people in Lanark County uses the services that we fund. Our 16 member agencies are the very backbone of this community and the people we all go to when we need help.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our most generous donors and volunteers. Without you, we would not be able to do any of our work – thank you all so much for your efforts.
2011 will see some changes to the way we look to support our community. The United Ways across Canada have a new theme – Change starts here. That change starts with you – we need you to Give. Volunteer. Act. Be part of your community.
Our goal, with your help, is to build our campaign fundraising base, so we may embrace the United Way of Canada’s goals of Community Impact. Our 2011 and onwards directions will include local research on how we can
- Influence public attitudes, systems and policies
- Focus on underlying causes of social issues
- Strengthen the network of services and the capacity of nonprofits and the community
- Engage the community’s financial resources, influence, time, knowledge and action
Please visit our site from time to time to see our progress as we ourselves ensure that indeed, Change starts here. Your Board of Directors could well be approaching you individually for your input into ways of supporting our community to an even higher degree than ever before.
This year, the United Way of Lanark County campaign goal is $400,000. This number represents the change that your United Way is moving towards. It is our hope that through this goal, we will be able to put more dollars back into the community and introduce beneficial programs to those who need them. As a community organization, our direction is to ensure that change starts here, through giving, volunteering, and acting on behalf of our community. Please join us!
Shelagh Dobson
President of the Board of Directors