The $1.914-million total for the 2014 Chatham-Kent United Way annual campaign is announced at the Jazzbah in downtown Chatham on January 23, 2015. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)The $1.914-million total for the 2014 Chatham-Kent United Way annual campaign is announced at the Jazzbah in downtown Chatham on January 23, 2015. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
Chatham

United Way Hoping To Avoid Cuts

The annual fundraising target for the United Way of Chatham-Kent may need to be raised to meet demand for services, according to CEO Karen Kirkwood-Whyte.

"If you take a look at what the funded agencies have already requested for 2015/2016, there's not enough," says Kirkwood-Whyte. "Typically every year, there's not enough to give everybody 100% of what they asked for."

Kirkwood-Whyte says in order to avoid service cuts, the United Way will need to raise more money in the next campaign.

"I would suggest that yes," says Kirkwood-Whyte, noting the growing need and seemingly shrinking donation pool. "Since 2008, the highest we've raised was $2.4-million and that year International Truck and Engine represented $330,000."

The United Way recently wrapped its 2014 annual campaign, just beating it's $1.9-million target, raising $1.914-million.

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