The United Way Estevan celebrated the support it received from the community, and installed its new executive during its annual general meeting on March 28.
According to audited financial statements released during the meeting, the United Way received $358,496 in donations last year, with $350,215 of those donations coming during the 41st annual telethon in October.
There was a little more than $6,000 in pledges that were uncollectable, but that money was partially offset by interest income, so total revenue was $354,572.
The goal for 2017 was $325,000.
The United Way allocated $260,572 of the money it raised to its member agencies, and $23,835 to its community impact projects.
Angela Stepp from MNP Chartered Accountants said the firm was happy to see the United Way have another successful year.
鈥淭he goal was set and it was surpassed once again, showing that the United Way has immense support in the community,鈥� said Stepp.
A new executive was installed at the meeting. Patrick Fisher's one-year term as president came to an end, and he handed the president's gavel to Travis Frank. Becca Foord will be the first vice-president and Melanie Graham will be the second vice-president.
Fisher will be the past-president and Lynn Trobert will remain the treasurer.
In his acceptance speech, Frank noted his first community involvement came when he joined the United Way鈥檚 board of directors when he was 16 years old.
鈥淚n these past few years, I have had the opportunity to take on several roles in the community, and every time I do so, I always cited my great love of supporting my hometown as the reason,鈥� said Frank.
Estevan is a city with incredible services for its residents, he said, through helping families build a community and a culture of support, assisting people with disabilities or special needs, helping seniors with group care or access to better medicine, and more.
All of these are possible through the United Way鈥檚 15 member agencies.
鈥淵ou are what make life a little better, for everybody, no matter what the situation may be,鈥� said Frank. 鈥淓very person in this city will at one point in their lives be touched by the work your groups do.鈥�
Frank said he is looking forward to an exciting year, raising lots of money for the member agencies and community impact projects, and noted the annual telethon will be Oct. 12 and 13 at the Royal Canadian Legion鈥檚 Estevan branch.聽
In his report, Fisher said it was important for the United Way to receive the support it did, because the 2017-18 provincial budget cut a lot of funding that the member agencies rely on to do their work.
鈥淚 heard stories from a lot of you about grants being taken away, or cuts in terms in funds, and it was really tough to hear. I think it sparked our board significantly,鈥� said Fisher. 鈥淲e knew it was going to be a very lean hear, and we wanted to do everything we could to help our member agencies out, and help the community as a whole.鈥�
The telethon was a tremendous success, not just because of the support from the community, but because the member agencies shared their stories during the 33 hours.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a real testament to the determination and passion that the residents of Estevan have for the work that not only the United Way Estevan does, but the work that you, our member agencies, do,鈥� said Fisher.
In a year filled with talks of budget cuts and a recession, the people of Estevan did not let down those who would be affected the most.
The United Way held a successful Day of Caring in May, he said, and launched a Community Impact Committee to help smaller groups and organizations to host events.
A new website will be launched later this year, and in recent months, the local United Way has been arranging to help its counterparts in Regina and Saskatoon for the launch of 211 Saskatchewan.
Fisher also paid tribute to the United Way鈥檚 board and its staff for their commitment, and to the volunteers and the donors for their support during the past 12 months.
The meeting ended with each of the member agencies and community impact projects explaining how the United Way鈥檚 allocation has allowed them to support people in the community and carry out programs locally.
