United Way funds underway

The Portage Plains United Way has announced that they have 36 days to reach their fundraising goal of  $250,000, with 43 per cent raised so far.

The Portage Rotary Club welcomed guest speakers Matthew Newham and Michelle Cudmore-Armstrong to speak on behalf of the Portage Plains United Way at their meeting Tuesday.

“Every year, dollar requests from our agencies grow larger and our need for your support grows with that. Your contributions to us provide those in our community with the help they need,” said Newham, vice president of the Portage Plains United Way, “The generosity of this community truly astounds me. No matter what non-profit agency you’re donating to, they are very well supporting this community.”

The United Way, registered since 1968, relies heavily on the community for support, and receives only a small operating grant from the province of Manitoba. They must call upon the community for resources for distribution among their 10 agencies. So far they have raised $107,500 towards their goal.

“We bring the community together in support of essential agencies and programs. Together we create partnerships and investments, so that kids can be all that they can be. Our goal is to inspire healthy people and strong communities, and bringing people from poverty to possibility,” said Cudmore-Armstrong, executive director of the Portage Plains United Way.

Those that the United Way help are spread across the Central Plains region, and aren’t only limited to Portage la Prairie.

“We’re anywhere from Austin, Macgregor, St. Claude, Treherne, Elm Creek, and so on. We’re massive. That is my mandate, to get out to all of these communities and let them know that they’re also part of this fundraising team,” she added.

To donate to the United Way you can go down to their office at 20 Sask. Ave East, online at www.portageplainsuw.ca or by calling (204)857-4440.