With just days left in its annual fundraising campaign, the Sarnia-Lambton United Way is not expected to reach its goal.
Executive Director Dave Brown said so far they've raised just over $1.3 million, or 80 per cent of the $1.65 million needs target.
"It's unlikely we're going to reach the goal at this point, so right now what we're doing is making sure we ask everybody to try to bridge that gap," said Brown. "We have had a couple of nice surprises in the last few days before Christmas. Two donors came in with very generous contributions, so we're hoping to see maybe a couple more of those."
Brown said in 2021, 20 per cent of the entire year's online donations were made in the last seven days.
"We do expect a fair bit of online and through the mail donations in the next few days."
The organization is already considering some changes to help deal with the projected campaign shortfall.
"We started to look at a very high level of what our operations and what the changes might be over the next 12 to 18 months," said Brown. "We are expecting some of that COVID relief funding from the federal government, so that will help us quite a bit next year. But clearly we have to take a look at how we're doing things internally, and see what costs we can cut over the next year and a half."
The United Way of Sarnia-Lambton funds 17 local agencies providing over 31 programs and services.
Should the campaign fall short, this would be the third year in a row the fundraising effort missed its target. In 2021, the initiative raised $1,647,000 representing 94.1 per cent of the $1.75 million goal. Just over $1.75 million, or 92 per cent of the $1.9 million target was raised in 2020.
To find out more or to donate online visit the United Way's website.
While the United Way office is closed for the holidays, in person donations can be dropped off through the mail slot at Kumon on Lambton Mall Road.
