68% and Going Strong!

I greatly appreciate all of the support that so many of my friends, family, and co-workers have given to me throughout the fall for the Women United for Community fundraiser, in support of our local United Way.

As of tonight we are at 68% of our $85,000 goal - all of these contributions will stay right here in HRM and make a significant impact - thank you to everyone who has donated so far.

For anyone who has not yet donated, please contribute now. Our online donation system is still available, so please click the link below and help our community be a safe and supportive place for everyone to live and grow.

www.womenunited.ca
Please select my 'door' to make your contribution.

Thank you so much!

Courtney

Forward Thinking

It is all about the future and making our community a better place for our children and our children's children. Our local United Way proudly supports agencies and programs that foster development and initiatives that contribute to building a stronger and more vibrant community. 

In addition to our agencies and programs, we have a young girl who is involved in the fundraiser that I am taking part in this fall. Her name is Riley Paris and she goes to Ward 5 Community Center's after school program. Riley is a sweetheart and has had this to say:

"I believe in my future. I am a grade 4 student in French Immersion. I like to hang out with my friends, swim, run, and watch movies. My sister and I go to Ward 5 Community Centre to an after school program that is funded by United Way’s Community Fund. We love being there with our friends and having a safe place to go after school.I’d like to be a veterinarian when I grow up."

Please visit Riley on United Way of Halifax Region's homepage today - www.unitedwayhalifax.ca

Everyone Has Something to Contribute

Another weekend has come and gone, and for many of us we have had the chance to take some time to ourselves and relax, and most likely we have not thought about all of the wonderful resources we have available to us whenever we need them - things like supportive networks, events in your social life, and a roof over our heads. Unfortunately not everyone here in the Halifax Regional Municipality was able to have a weekend with all of these aspects in their lives.

Since I have become involved with United Way (almost a year ago), I have been learning about how many people need help in so many different ways, and how everyone can offer help to those that need it. Needing help may be a local charity that needs a few extra volunteers to run their after school program for young children, or perhaps it is a women who is facing mental health issues and is seeking a supportive community. But even beyond these very clear needs, it has become evident to me that all of us faces times in our lives when we need support, and for some it is easier to navigate the system to find the supports that you need. For those individuals who need support that may not be able to come from a close family member of friend, there are programs and agencies in our local community that can lend a helping hand to those in need. Providing a helping hand is what our United Way does very well - we provide funding to 57 local agencies, which equals over 100 programs.

All of us are able to contribute to our community. Contributing can be anything from volunteering at a local charity (even for 1 hour!), so donating to your local United Way, to being an advocate for social change and supports in our community, to being aware of your community. Everyone has something that they can contribute, and everyone knows what types of contributions they will be able to make.

Throughout the past few weeks, I have been passionately involved in supporting our local United Way through the 'Women United for Community' fundraiser. Our fundraiser has brought together 13 women from HRM to collectively raise $85,000 for United Way (to provide funding to the agencies and programs we support) in lieu of our 85th anniversary. I believe in my community and I believe in all of us to act as agents of change who can make our community a great place to live and play.

Please consider contributing to our local United Way this year. Together we can make a difference!

United We Can!

For more information please visit the United Way of Halifax Region website and the Women United for Community website.

Thank you for your support!

- Courtney Larkin

Thanks a Million!

It is amazing what strength we have when we unite together. Across Canada there are United Ways in many communities, and each one finds a way to invest and support the people that live in those areas. Last year we had MANY workplaces that contributed a million dollars or more to United Way's across our wonderful country.

Take a look at the list and see what companies you recognize, it is quite impressive how many workplaces and people are involved in supporting their communities.

If you see your workplace on the list - please find a way to get involved in their campaign. And if you do not see your workplace on the list, please let me know if you are interested in finding out who does local campaigns and how you can get involved to make a difference.

Everything counts, because everyone counts.

Please donate tonight to the Women United for Community fundraiser for United Way of Halifax Region.

Thank You!

Over $40,000 Raised!

I am proud to announce that as of today the Women United for Community fundraiser for United Way of Halifax Region has surpassed $40,000!!!!

We have reached 47% of our $85,000 goal. Thank you everyone for your generous support. And for anyone who has yet to donate, please remember that donations for this fundraiser will be accepted until November 1st.

I am also proud to announce that my portion of the campaign has been receiving very generous contributions this week. On behalf of the entire Halifax community, I want to thank everyone who has donated - you are making a lasting impact on making our community a stronger place to be.

Official News Release

I wanted to share with everyone the official news release for the Women United for Community fundraiser for United Way of Halifax Region's Community Fund.

Please click here to be directed to the news release.

We have now reached 44% of our goal, that's $37,349! Our deadline to raise $85,000 is November 1st, 2010 - so please consider donating to our local United Way today!

I believe in my community, I believe in making a difference, and I believe that together we can. Please join me!

Ignite Your Passion

Our local United Way (of Halifax Region) has been instrumental in helping thousands of people follow their passion and achieve their goals since it was founded in 1925. 

Our United Way was created from the devastating damage done to the city during the Halifax explosion. After the horrible event, residents of Dartmouth and Halifax began to come together and find out how they could help each other. The core group that sought to help others was a group of women who went door to door seeking monetary donations from neighbors to help support those in need.

Since the early beginnings of our local United Way we have changed and adapted with the city, this even has meant taking on a few different names and focuses; however, now we are known as United Way of Halifax Region and focus on partnering with local charities/agencies to help people help themselves - to invest in our local community.

Through all of the amazing work that United Way has done over the past 85 years, myself and so many others have been able to be helped or ignite their passion. For many the United Way provides a way out of situations that are not ideal, and for others the United Way provides the opportunity to contribute to a greater cause - a cause that is for everyone in the community to believe in and prosper from.

I am very fortunate and am proud to be involved with our local United Way. I know that through this fundraiser, Women United for Community, I am able to raise very needed funds to help people find a way out through one of our 100+ programs offered through our 57 agencies. Please join me in my quest to create a stronger Halifax Regional Municipality, together we can raise the funds necessary to provide services to help our friends, family, and neighbors.

Together we can!

Please join me in donating to United Way's campaign.

Thank you!

- Courtney