Ken Dardano, executive director of the United Way in Wellington County, is no stranger to Minto, having worked in the regional Scout office in Palmerston several years ago.
Now he represents the United Way of Guelph-Wellington. He spoke on the United Way at the Jan. 20 meeting of Minto council.
“The United Way is the largest non-government fundraiser in Canada, raising $483 million,” he said.
He outlined some of the work that’s being funded by the organization, including poverty reduction, homelessness, seniors and transportation.
“The United Way has been addressing community needs for almost 70 years,” said Dardano. In Guelph-Wellington, $12 million has been raised in the past five years, $2.66 million of it last year. He explained that 80 cents of every dollar goes back to supporting agencies, with administration costs accounting for only about 20 cents of each dollar.
He said the need in this area is huge, with rising unemployment rates, a hike in food bank use and lack of public transit.
“We fund over 40 agencies with over 80 programs – 28 of those agencies operate in the northern part of the county,” he said. These include the VON, North Wellington Seniors, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Food and Friends operates at 65 sites – this breakfast program assists over 11,800 students.
The United Way serves a vital function in directing dollars to where they will have the greatest impact, Dardano said. And it provides stable funding on a three-year basis.
There are many ways to donate, including the Everyday Heroes program, workplace campaigns, Leadership Donors program, the Tomorrow Fund and website donations.
He suggested that if Minto wants to get more involved, there are many ways including setting up a community committee. “We need more impact in the north of our area,” he said.
Mayor David Anderson stressed that lack of transportation is a key issue in this area. “There isn’t adequate transportation,” he said. “There is a real need for volunteer drivers.”