#DRIVE4FIVE kicks off United Way’s 2019/20 annual campaign
VICTORIA, BC. This morning, when Victoria drivers get their breakfast to go at United Way’s #DRIVE4FIVE event, they’ll know that they are helping combat child hunger. #DRIVE4FIVE is being held in the Save-On-Foods parking lot on 3510 Blanshard Street from 6:30 am to 9:00 am today.
It takes a community! Mike Macdonell, United Way Board Chair; Kirk Mercer, United Way board member; Mike Eso, Victoria Labour Council, Richard Sproul, Save on Foods Store Manager; and Mark Breslauer, CEO, United Way.
Today’s breakfast event officially kicks off United Way’s community fundraising campaign.
“There are 1 in 5 children in BC living in poverty: families are struggling to make ends meet,” said Mark Breslauer, CEO, United Way Greater Victoria. “United Way is committed to tackling #UNIGNORABLE issues that are affecting our community, like hunger, so that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”
“The labour movement believes that workers and their families should have access to life-changing social services across their communities,” said Mike Eso, President, Victoria Labour Council. “That’s why we are proud to support United Way and to sponsor their campaign kick-off for the 10th year in a row.”
Hunger is only one of the #UNIGNORABLE social issues that United Way tackles. Other issues that affect local residents include addictions, education inequality, mental health and poverty.
United Way has been helping people in need in Greater Victoria for 82 years. The non-profit funds a network of programs and services from Victoria to Sooke to Sidney and to the Southern Gulf Islands.
United Way’s work is made possible through the generosity of donors and the support of volunteers. Last year, United Way helped more than 80,000 people change their lives for the better. In total, over $4.7 million was raised through workplace campaigns, corporate donations and individual gifts. This year’s target is $5 million.
People who want to donate can go to the United Way Website. If an organization is interested in running a workplace fundraising campaign – a great staff engagement and educational opportunity – they can contact United Way at 250-385-6708.
ABOUT #UNIGNORABLE
Local issues can be easy to ignore. In our busy world, important local social issues can often go unnoticed.
United Way is working to change that by making issues like poverty, mental health, unemployment and social isolation get noticed.
A series of eight posters drawing on the long tradition of art for social change have been created. Each poster focuses on different social issues affecting our community. The images have been designed by award-winning international illustrator Malika Favre and United Way Centraides across Canada partnered with Pantone Colour Institute™ to create a signature #UNIGNORABLE colour.
UNITED WAY BACKGROUNDER
United Way ‘unites’ the generosity of people – business, labour, government and individual donors – with the skills, knowledge and expertise in the community to help ensure those in need reach their full potential. This collaborative approach is building a stronger, more resilient community to serve current and future generations.
As one of the region’s largest annual funders of local social service programs, we assist charitable organizations by identifying and funding programs to address immediate needs and underlying causes of our community’s most #UNIGNORABLE social challenges.
United Way is a year round fundraiser and community builder, and provides multi-year funding to create a strong and stable network of local services. For more than 80 years we have served the community and raised over $170 Million. Our work, as a community leader, is as relevant today as it ever was. And with the ongoing support of our donors, we will continue to positively changes lives.
