Approximately 200 people attended the United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island's kickoff breakfast for their 2019 Workplace Campaign in Nanaimo. (Daryl Major/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

Campaign Kickoff

United Way kicks off fundraiser for Island’s most vulnerable

Sep 18, 2019 | 1:00 AM

NANAIMO — A vital fundraising campaign supporting countless area social programs is now under way.

United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island (UWCNVI) launched their 2019 workplace campaign at a breakfast event in Nanaimo on Wednesday Sept. 18.

The campaign provides much-needed funds for the United Way to then provide to central and northern Vancouver Island.

UWCNVI Director of Development Patti Mertz told NanaimoNewsNOW a major program they fully fund is bc211.

It’s a one-stop resource hub linking people in need of advice or support in a range of social issues to appropriate licensed professionals. It includes information for emergency and crisis support, financial assistance and LGBT2SQ+ concerns.

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“If they’re helping a senior with Alzheimer’s, or if they’re feeling depressed or isolated, they can contact bc211 and immediately get help,” Mertz said. “It’s a referral service and there’s someone staffing it 24/7.”

bc211 is among countless programs funded by the United Way which rely on workplace donations.

Mertz said they don’t like setting a monetary goal but hope to eclipse last year’s total.

“We raised about $1.2 million last year. We’re very serious and respectful of the donations we receive to make sure they go to the organizations that we fell will make the biggest difference in the community.”

A bulk of the money comes through automated payroll deductions, set up through employers.

United Way’s workplace campaign will see staff and volunteers visit as many workplaces across the north and central Island region as they can through December.

In the central Island last year, United Way helped over 23,000 people through 47 different programs.

alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley