The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton is hoping to launch this year's annual fundraising campaign with strong momentum.
Director of Development and Communications Ryan Doyle said a minimum of $1.49 million is needed to fund the current programs and services they support.
"If we do attain this goal this year, it will mean that we were able to continue funding at the exact same level that we did last year," said Doyle. "We wish we could meet inflation, we have to be realistic."
This year's goal is the amount that was raised through the 2024 fundraising effort.
The United Way provides funding for 28 local programs offered through 16 agencies across the community, including Big Brothers Big Sisters Sarnia-Lambton, Inn of the Good Shepherd, Lambton Elderly Outreach and Rebound.
Doyle said over the past couple of years, it has been a challenge to keep the programs fully funded.
"When all the different agencies come and say this is the program, this is how much we need, that ask has grown significantly," he said. "If you just factor in inflation and the different costs these programs are taking on to run, everything has got more expensive to run and we have not been able to fundraise enough to meet those demands."
The campaign has already got a head start, and so far $375,000 has been raised with help from golf tournaments put on by Enbridge and Pembina, with more fundraisers planned in the months ahead.
"We're going to be doing Novemburger again this year, it will be our second time doing it," said "Doyle. "Imperial and NOVA are continuing their partnership with us, they are huge campaigns, and mailers are going out the end of this week, so people are going to start seeing supporter cards in the mail."
On Wednesday, it's the annual Sarnia Sting Black and White inter-squad game at Progressive Auto Sales Arena. Puck drop is at 6 p.m. Admission is a donation to the United Way.
The annual campaign officially kicks off with the Annual Day of Caring on Tuesday, September 16.
For more information, or to donate visit the United Way Sarnia-Lambton's website.