The growing needs in the community are again adding a sense or urgency to the United Way CSO鈥檚 annual fundraising campaign.

鈥淒espite how proud we are of the incredible impact the 2016 investments will have, there is still so much more to be done,鈥� said Helen Jackman, executive director of United Way CSO, which encompasses the Central Okanagan and South Okanagan/Similkameen.

鈥淥ur funds were massively oversubscribed this year鈥攚e had almost 50 per cent more requests for support than we had available funding. And that鈥檚 not because our funds went down鈥攖he needs are just increasing.鈥�

The started the campaign in September and fundraising efforts will continue until the end of January to support agency partner programs that impact kids, families and seniors.

Last year, the

鈥淭he financial support we receive from United Way relieves some of the burden of fundraising to cover costs of the Inside/Out Violence Prevention Program for Youth, which then allows other dollars raised to be redirected to critical frontline services,鈥� said Karen Mason, executive director of 91大黄鸭 Women鈥檚 Shelter.

鈥淲e are so grateful to everyone who supports the United Way campaign, and are honoured to be a community partner.鈥�

Jackman sas there are growing needs in United Way CSO region communities. 鈥淥ne in five children live in poverty. We have a growing gap between the rich and the poor鈥� over 50 per cent of households are only two paycheques away from losing their car or house.

鈥淥ne in five people live with mental illness and we have a homelessness crisis in the cities across our region鈥�360 people are estimated to be experiencing homelessness in 91大黄鸭 and Penticton. These issues and challenges impact all of us. And none of us knows what is around the corner.

Jackman said the 2017 fundraising goal is $1.2 million, with some $250,000 already donated since September, coupled with other fundraisers held throughout this year and .

All donations received by Dec. 31, 2017 will get a 2017 tax receipt. The campaign officially ends Jan. 31, 2018. For more information on the impact of your donations, visit: http://unitedwaycso.com/how-we-help/our-impact/

To donate to the campaign, visit: http://unitedwaycso.com/donate or call 1-855-232-1321.

To report a typo, email: edit@kelownacapnews.com.

barry.gerding@blackpress.ca
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