Western raised more than $619,000 for United Way Elgin Middlesex in 2023, driving one of the largest university campaigns in the country and the largest gift from employees at a single organization in the region.
The donation outpaced Western’s fundraising goal for its employee and retiree giving and surpassed the previous year’s campaign total. The money raised provides United Way – the largest funder of social services in Southwestern Ontario, aside from government – the ability to support critical community programs.
“The needs were definitely great this year. The Western community ‘united’ in support of United Way Elgin Middlesex,” said Carol Jones, campaign co-chair, associate dean and professor in the Faculty of Science.
“I’m thrilled we exceeded our goal. This was a very tough year economically for the region, and I’m really proud the Western community stepped up, with open arms, to help out. The dollars raised locally stay locally so United Way Elgin Middlesex really does help support all of our colleagues, neighbours, family, and friends who may be struggling.”
United Way Elgin Middlesex invests in dozens of organizations in London, Ont. and Elgin and Middlesex Counties that offer programs to tackle three key issues: poverty, supplying food or basic needs and reducing homelessness.
This year, 39 non-profit agencies received a total of $4.2 million.
Those grants support programs serving families without enough to eat, people experiencing homelessness or those at risk of becoming homeless, rural women and children fleeing violence and many more vulnerable people in the community.
“I am delighted to see the continued generosity of the Western community each year to United Way. We’re proud to be one of the largest employee-giving campaigns in the region and among the largest university campaigns in Canada,” Western President Alan Shepard said.
“Western is committed to our local community. Fundraising and volunteering for United Way Elgin Middlesex are important contributions from our faculty, staff, retirees and students.” – Western President Alan Shepard
Western’s donation comes from events, one-time donations, payroll deductions and other forms of employee and retiree giving. The university also supports a sponsored employee to advocate for the campaign across campus, a role held by human resources associate Sydney João.
“Our community is better having Western in it. Year after year, Western staff, students and faculty show their generosity and their commitment to their local community through the campaign,” said Kelly Ziegner, CEO of United Way Elgin Middlesex.
“We also see significant contributions to the fabric of our community. Our board chair, Maly Bun-Lebert, comes to us from Western. We rely on Western research. Students get involved in volunteer opportunities, internships at social service agencies around our community. There’s a significant impact that Western makes in improving lives in our region.”
Western’s annual campaigns for United Way Elgin Middlesex have raised more than $16 million over the last three decades. The latest donation puts Western among the top five university campaigns in Canada in 2023.
“The Western community continues its long history of supporting United Way Elgin Middlesex. Social services across the region are facing significant pressures in terms of increased demand and ongoing resource challenges and we could not be more proud to unite as a community in lending a helping hand,” said Colin Couchman, campaign co-chair and Western’s chief data officer.
BY THE NUMBERS
$619,119 donated through Western’s 2023 employee and retiree giving campaign
39 social agencies funded this year by United Way Elgin Middlesex
44 programs offered by those agencies received grant money
$4.2 million allocated to local organizations for each of the next two years
