You can buy tickets for this raffle at the United Way office, or at many workplaces & agencies in Leeds & Grenville.

We apologize for the inconvenience, but for safety reasons, we're closed to the public today. Our roof is under construction and there is a danger of falling debris. We're available by phone at 613-342-8889 and by email.

United Way Leeds & Grenville is excited to announce a Leadership Challenge Grant for the 2020 Campaign. Thanks to a generous donation, Leadership donors can increase the impact of their gift. For more information on this new Leadership Challenge Grant, please see this information sheet.  To 

Pictured left to right are: Trish Buote, Tanya Noyes and Christine Radford of UWLG.

United Way Leeds & Grenville announced today that their annual campaign goal for 2020 will be $738,000.

The 2020 goal reflects the growing need in the community. It is also an ambitious goal, as United Way has limited opportunity to raise funds through community events this year. Funds from workplace campaigns, where a lot of their target is raised, may also be limited. Many businesses and workplaces have been affected by the ongoing pandemic and will modify their campaigns.

United Way is however, excited to announce the Leadership Challenge Grant. Thanks to a generous donation from an anonymous donor, new Leadership donors can increase the impact of their gift. Donors who increase their donations to $1,200 will see their donation matched and donors who are already Leaders of the Way (donations of $1,200 or more), and add at least 10% to their gift will also see their increase matched. This is one way to help fill the gap.

“I am willing to step up and do extra because I believe in the United Way and our Community” said Campaign Chair Terry O’Reilly. “The needs are even greater due to the pandemic. Please step up with me, try to reach a little deeper and give from your heart to help the United Way meet those extra needs.”

Trish Buote, Executive Director United Way Leeds & Grenville echoed Terry’s comments. “The needs are great in 2020 as our agencies work hard to meet the complex issues faced by their clients. In times of crisis, we need to come together and work to make sure immediate needs are met and the most vulnerable members of our community are taken care of. We are asking people to continue to show their local love, continue investing in our community if they can and, if possible, to consider increasing their gift. Our community needs your support to recover and to thrive.”

United Way Leeds & Grenville handed out the Student Leaders of our Community Award bursaries this summer to 4 students.  Congratulations to:

Abbigail Brugma - SMCHS

Amelia Foley - BCI

Destiny Lewis - TISS

Delaney Ringer - TISS

Brockville, ON - Thursday, August 20, 2020 — United Way Leeds & Grenville (UWLG) is pleased to announce that President & CEO Pricedex Software, Terence O’Reilly, will be their 2020 Campaign Chair!

The 63rd annual campaign season will kick off the week of Sept. 14, 2020 and will be continuing with the theme ‘Local Love.’ The campaign will show that local love is seen in the action, response and the recovery of the Leeds & Grenville community as it adapts to the global pandemic. Despite the challenges presented to the community because of the pandemic, Terry said that he is happy to take on the role.

“The United Way has always been something of an unsung hero in our local community, being a major conveyance of our collective love for humanity and each other.” O’Reilly said., “The United Way has been providing, for a very long while, a very important part of the net that keeps many people from falling through the cracks into hopelessness and despair.”  In relation to his appointment to Chair another United Way campaign, O’Reilly added: “During this horrible pandemic, United Way Leeds & Grenville has had to ‘step up’ to many increased needs, and continues to do so.  I am delighted to be a part of that ‘stepping up’ during this time of special need and, together with a strong cabinet of like-minded local leaders, I will be inviting the entire community to do the same.”

“We are so thankful that Terry has again agreed to lead our Cabinet team” says Trish Buote, Executive Director of United Way Leeds & Grenville. “Terry has been a strong advocate for the United Way for many years. We are looking forward to his support and that of the entire Cabinet during this year’s fundraising campaign. It will be tough but this group of kind volunteers is not afraid to roll up their sleeves and get this done to help the most vulnerable in our Leeds & Grenville community.”

About United Way Leeds & Grenville:

United Way Leeds & Grenville (UWLG) is a non-profit agency that supports over 20 local partner agencies in the community. Its mission is to improve lives and build community by engaging individuals and mobilizing collective action. UWLG is dedicated to bringing people together to build vibrant and caring communities. For more information, please visit www.uwlg.org.

For more information, please contact:

Trish Buote, Executive Director
United Way Leeds & Grenville
Office: 613-342-8889
Mobile: 613-246-1927
Email: trish.buote@uwlg.org
Website: uwlg.org

Terence O’Reilly, President & CEO Pricedex Software

Photo Credit: Supplied

Brockville, ON - Tuesday, August 18, 2020 — Earlier this month, United Way Leeds & Grenville (UWLG) and the Brockville and Area Community Foundation (BACF) announced that it approved a grant of $10,000 to Wheels of Care - Gananoque. This was funded through the Government of Canada’s $350M Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF). This vast national effort aims to support vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by COVID-19.

Wheels of Care is a fully volunteer led organization that provides affordable, inclusive specialized transportation for individuals with disabilities (along with their caregivers) in Gananoque and the surrounding area. They provide access to medical services and daily requirements to the most vulnerable in the community. It has been essential that they continue to provide this service during the COVID-19 pandemic even though their typical community partners could no longer support their service in the same way.

“COVID 19 Funding through United Way has been a much needed boost to the Gananoque Wheels of Care Association funds.  With the closing of all Long Term Care Homes in Ontario, the Association lost its long time operations center provided by Carveth Care Centre.  Funds will allow the Association to contract out administrative duties related to the Call Centre allowing it to continue phone reservations and begin accepting on line reservations and registrations.   Funds will additionally provide money for COVID 19 related communications with the community, vehicle cleaning and other necessary COVID 19 protocols.” – Cliff Byrnes, President Gananoque Wheels of Care

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created many new challenges for Canadians and the community organizations that support them in times of need. The Government of Canada is pleased to work with its trusted partners to ensure that the charities and non-profit organizations on the frontlines of the pandemic can continue to serve the vulnerable members of our communities,” says the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.

About United Way Leeds & Grenville:

United Way Leeds & Grenville (UWLG) is a non-profit agency that supports over 20 local partner agencies in the community. Its mission is to improve lives and build community by engaging individuals and mobilizing collective action. UWLG is dedicated to bringing people together to build vibrant and caring communities. For more information, please visit www.uwlg.org.

For more information, please contact:

Trish Buote, Executive Director
United Way Leeds & Grenville
Office: 613-342-8889
Mobile: 613-246-1927 Email: trish.buote@uwlg.org
Website: uwlg.org

About Brockville and Area Community Foundation

The Brockville and Area Community Foundation is dedicated to encouraging the establishment of endowment funds, supporting charitable initiatives and strengthening our community for the benefit of all by providing leadership on key local issues. For more information, please visit www.yourcommunityfoundation.ca

For more information, please contact:

Erik Wang, Executive Director
Brockville and Area Community Foundation
Office: 613-498-9970
Email: info@yourcommunityfoundation.ca
Website:www.yourcommunityfoundation.ca

(l-r) Ann Moult, Cliff Byrnes, Shirley Walker, Marion Sprenger, Trish Buote, Erik Wang

United Way of Leeds & Grenville is working with community donations and partner organizations to help provide low cost or free masks to those most in need in Leeds and Grenville. In collaboration with The Brockville and Area Community Foundation they have now secured 1,200 reusable masks.   Here is the list of current Leeds & Grenville partners who are distributing masks on behalf of the United Way of Leeds & Grenville.

For more information on this program, or to donate to support this program - contact Christine Radford: Christine.Radford@uwlg.org

The Thousand Islands Street Machine Association generously donated $4,000 to United Way today, even though they did not hold their annual Automotion event. Pictured here is Paul Gardiner of TISMA presenting the cheque to Christine Radford and Trish Buote of United Way. We are very thankful for the many years of support from the TISMA group!

Trish Buote of United Way Leeds & Grenville presents Rob Adams, CEO of YMCA of Eastern Ontario with a cheque for $136,687. Other partners in attendance for the photo were Michael Barrett, MP, Eric Wang (Community Foundations), Anita Mercier (director of development at the Y), and Victoria Robertson (Connect Youth) This funding, made possible through the Emergency Community Support Fund, will enable the YMCA to open a teen drop in centre at the YMCA Brockville location in September.

See the press release from the YMCA for full details on the program.

United Way will be hosting a webinar series titled "Preparing to Pivot". The series will be guided by Liz Weaver, the Co-CEO of the Tamarack Institute and developed in consultation with United Way and Every Kid In Our Communities of Leeds and Grenville. The webinar series (4 one hour sessions), will focus on considering what has just happened with the pandemic and how our community has responded and leveraged this experience to pivot forward. Spots are limited and are available initially to our community partners. If you'd like to attend and didn't receive an invitation please let us know, and we'll send you an email if spots are still available.