A sold-out crowd showed up at the United Way BC Day kickoff breakfast in Nanaimo for a crucial fall fundraising campaign (United Way BC Central & Northern Vancouver Island)

By Ian Holmes

vitally important

United Way BC launches integral fall fundraiser

Sep 18, 2025 | 5:09 PM

NANAIMO — Dire needs for support combined with a challenging economic climate sets the stage for a vitally important annual campaign.

An annual fall fundraising drive kick-off was served up on Thursday, Sept. 18 with breakfast events held in five B.C. cities for United Way BC Day, including a sold-out gathering at Nanaimo’s Coast Bastion Hotel.

Kristina Gebhard, United Way BC’s fundraising and donor relations manager, said the campaign is primarily fueled by workplace payroll contributions and corporate support.

“Our fall fundraising campaign is our most critical source of revenue,” Gebhard told NanaimoNewsNOW. “We truly could not do it without our donors, our workplace supporters and our community partners.”

For United Way BC’s central and north Vancouver Island catchment area from the Malahat north and Sunshine Coast, Gebhard said typically the annual campaign generates roughly $1.2 million.

On the Lake

Training, fundraising take precedence in winter months for Nanaimo Rowing Club

6h ago

clean-up

Locals plan to remove shoreline hazard in Qualicum Beach

Dec 13, 2025

Wings Clipped

Seguin-Lescarbeau and Rimmer lead Clippers to Teddy Bear Toss win

Dec 13, 2025

She said a firm fundraising goal is not in place this time around, pointing to the precarious financial situation many people find themselves in.

“Anything helps,” she said.

Asking people to part with their hard-earned money at this time is challenging, Gebhard said bluntly.

“We absolutely know that many people are struggling these days, times are tight, but what I find truly incredible about our fall fundraising campaign is the power of the collective.”

United Way BC is a well-established social service agency, which provides its own programming, while also supplying money to many smaller and under-resourced entities.

Gebhard said there are several core programs their efforts are backing this year.

“Food security, youth and child mental wellbeing, and services and supports for seniors and those in need, including our 211 British Columbia help line.” she said.

United Way B.C. events were also hosted on Thursday in Victoria, Kamloops, Kelowna and Prince George.

Gebhard said United Way B.C. is well-positioned to extend the reach of donations which can conveniently be made online.

“There’s some government contracts that we have where we do receive some government funding, so we’re able to leverage those, along with really critical donor dollars.”

Nanaimo’s iconic Bastion landmark will be lit up red Thursday evening in recognition of United Way BC Day.

The Coast Bastion Hotel event was hosted by 102.3 FM The Wave morning co-host Daryl Major.

Subscribe to our daily news wrap. Local news delivered to your email inbox every evening. Stay up to date on everything Nanaimo and Oceanside.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook