- Donations made on September 17 will be matched by an anonymous donor
- Hundreds of volunteers will create positive change across Peel, Toronto and York Region to mark United Way’s 2019 fundraising campaign kick-off
September 16, 2019 – United Way Greater Toronto kicks off its 2019 fundraising campaign tomorrow with the first-ever Show Your Local Love Day. To honour the impact of United Way’s campaign, Toronto, Brampton, Markham, Richmond Hill, Newmarket, Aurora, Georgina, and Caledon have proclaimed September 17 Show Your Local Love Day. In addition, York Region, Peel Region, Mississauga, Vaughan, East Gwillimbury, King, and Whitchurch-Stouffville are all recognizing and championing United Way’s work in various ways.
Funds raised by the campaign support a network of community agencies across Peel, Toronto and York regions that help people experiencing poverty when and where they need it most. All day tomorrow, September 17, any donation to United Way Greater Toronto will be matched by an anonymous donor through the Show Your Local Love Day Challenge Grant (up to $25,000). Donate at unitedwaygt.org/donate.
To help launch the campaign, hundreds of supporters will volunteer with United Way funded agencies across the region. They will maintain gardens for women escaping violence (at Peel Region’s Interim Place), prep hot meals for homeless guests (at East Gwillimbury’s Blue Door Shelter), host a garden party for isolated seniors (at downtown Toronto’s West Neighbourhood House), and much more.
Beth Wilson, United Way Greater Toronto 2019 Campaign Chair and Canada Chief Executive Officer, Dentons: United Way’s fundraising campaign fuels the largest investment in community services in the GTA, after government. With the public’s support, we can help 270 agencies across Peel, Toronto and York regions address #UNIGNORABLE issues linked to poverty, such as youth unemployment, food insecurity, domestic violence, homelessness and social isolation. And, with the matching challenge grant, September 17 is the day to make your donation and show your local love.
Daniele Zanotti, President & CEO, United Way Greater Toronto: We love where we live, but poverty is hurting our community. On Show Your Local Love Day, we’re highlighting what’s possible when we show up, give back, connect with others, and work with community. And the best way to solve our #UNIGNORABLE social issues is united – donors, volunteers, businesses, public sector, labour, agencies and residents.
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Downloadable photos: Photos can be found here. Cutlines appear beneath each image.