(Image Credit: CFJC News)

By Sydney Chisholm

United way work place campaign

United Way Thompson Nicola Cariboo kicks off 2024 workplace campaign

Sep 12, 2024 | 6:30 PM

KAMLOOPS – On Thursday morning (Sept. 12), United Way BC hosted it’s annual campaign kickoff breakfast in locations throughout the province.

In Kamloops, United Way staff, volunteers and hundreds of community partners gathered at the Coast hotel to kick off the start of the organization’s 2024 campaign season and celebrate last year’s success.

Last year, the local branch of United Way BC’s workplace campaign raised more than $900,000 for local initiatives, and while that number is a little lower than previous years, it was another full house to kick off this year’s campaign.

“We’re so grateful for everybody that were able to, attend year after year, especially showing up bright and early at 6:30 in the morning,” said United Way Thompson Nicola Cariboo Region campaign manager Chelsea Ingram.

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“Everybody shows up and they are wearing red and they’re so happy to be here and you could just feel the buzz in the room. And it’s not just from the coffee and it really just it’s a special time to just bring everyone together and people feel that.”

Bringing together community partners, the annual event showcases some of the impacts last year’s campaign has made in the community.

Dawn Christie, manager of the Mount Paul Community Food Center, says United Way has been a longtime supporter of local food security.

“We’ve gotten numerous different grant opportunities to run programs. We’ve had days of caring, we’ve had volunteer opportunities and we have contracts with United Way, British Columbia to run programs,” said Christie.

Each year United Way workplace campaigns gather donations through payroll contributions and events. Those donations are then given out to local organizations in need.

“It’s really great to see community dollars staying in community to help our neighbors,” said Christie.

The local branch is optimistic for this year’s campaign.

Ingram says Thursday’s kickoff breakfast is merely the first of dozens of in-person presentations planned for the coming months.

“It’s really exciting to see the growth and how it continues to grow,” said Ingram. “And it’s very important for workplace campaigns because, you know, without their help, we can’t continue to do that great work and continue to expand the programs and fill these gaps that are so needed in our community.”

Those who missed the kick-off breakfast but still want to give, can contact United Way Thompson Nicola Cariboo Region to get involved.