Perth-Huron United Way kicked off their yearly campaign with a luncheon at Kiwanis Centre in Stratford Friday afternoon.
Executive Director Ryan Erb says the campaign has a clear fundraising goal in mind.
"We're here today to make a big announcement about what our campaign fundraising goal will be," he says. "This year that will be $1,337,000 and that's a huge boost for us, as it's 8% higher than last year. But it's for a very specific reason. The United Way has reorganized a little bit so we know beforehand what the needs are in the community."
Perth-Huron United Way will be helping nearly 50 different partners with the campaign money, including the John Howard Society's Reintegration Porgram at Stratford Jail. Erb says part of the campaign launch includes the eight town community tour set up for Monday.
"We are going through all of Perth-Huron on Monday, and we're going to be meeting at mostly supported partners throughout the region, such as the Huron County Food Distribution Centre, the Centre for Employment and Learning," says Erb. "We will also be at the mental health wing of the hospital where we're doing some work with mental health and youth. Really just all over the community throughout the day."
The stops on the tour will include Mitchell, Listowel, Wingham, Goderich, Clinton, Seaforth, Centralia and St. Marys.