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United Way of Thunder Bay says fundraising sluggish, might not reach goal

The United Way of Thunder Bay is feeling the pinch.
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United Way of Thunder Bay campaign chairman Jim Madder says he's worried they won't reach their $2.6-million goal this year. (Leith Dunick, tbnewswatch.com)

The United Way of Thunder Bay is feeling the pinch.

Campaign chairman Jim Madder said this year’s effort is about $100,000 behind where it was at this point in 2014 and urged the public and businesses to step forward to help them reach their $2.6-million target.

“People are sitting on their hands a little bit and not coming forward,” said Madder, the president of Confederation College.

“They’re sort of saying, ‘You always make your campaign goal. Gee, I’ve got other things I want to do with the dollars.’ But that’s really not the case.”

As recently as two years ago the United Way didn’t hit its goal.

The after-effects are significant, Madder said.

“We need to have people realize there is a real issue here,” he said. “About $100,000 is what people have estimated we’re going to be short. It isn’t about the dollars, it’s what the dollars can do. That $100,000 supports more than 1,200 people getting critical help for their issues.”

Madder is hopeful corporations who have given in the past, but stopped in recent years, will be willing to return to the fold.

Donating is easy, he added.

“We want people to go to www.uwaytbay.ca and if they possibly can, donate today.”

About five weeks remain in the campaign, which officially launched in September.

“Even a dollar makes a difference. If businesses could give us $100 each, it would make a fantastic difference in terms of that outcome. They can go on line, they can come to events. There are a series of events that are occurring across the next couple of weeks.”

It that’s not possible, Madder asked people to consider donating through a workplace employee campaign.

“Many, many employers here allow you to give on a weekly basis,” Madder said. “There are a whole variety of different ways that people can give to the United Way.”



Leith Dunick

About the Author: Leith Dunick

A proud Nova Scotian who has called Thunder Bay home since 2002, Leith is Dougall Media's director of news, but still likes to tell your stories too. Wants his Expos back and to see Neil Young at least one more time. Twitter: @LeithDunick
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