2008 CAMPAIGN TARGET
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
September 4, 2008
UNITED WAY OF BURLINGTON & GREATER HAMILTON ANNOUNCES
2008 CAMPAIGN TARGET
Hamilton, September 4th, 2008 -- United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton today announced its targets for the Burlington and Hamilton 2008 Campaign.
In announcing the $4,800,000 Hamilton target and the $2,050,000 Burlington target, both campaign chairs made an appeal to citizens of their respective communities to give generously in light of the impact of recent economic challenges. The 2008 target represents a $146,720 increase over last year’s achievement of $6,703,280 Said Hamilton Campaign Chair Dan McLean, Senior News Anchor CHCH News and E: “We believe that this target – a modest increase over last year’s achievement -- is realistic and achievable. We also know that due to challenging economic circumstances, our campaign is launching at a time when our communities have experienced job losses and
the people who live, work, and play in them are suffering as a result. We cannot ignore the twofold impact of this dynamic: there are increasing numbers of people in need, and at the same time, some people may be challenged in terms of their capacity to give. Having seen first hand the tremendous generosity of our donors in past campaigns however, I am confident that we will, once again, achieve our target.”
The theme for the 2008 Campaign “A community is not truly great unless it is great for everyone” was also unveiled at the event.
Noted Burlington Campaign Chair Gaston Germain, President and COO, Pelmorex Media Inc. -- The Weather Network: “Our campaign theme underlines the importance of making sure that no one is left behind. This year in particular we are calling on our donors to “Get Into It” -- to make a difference in the lives of their family, friends and neighbours by making a contribution to their community through United Way. Every donation matters -- no gift is too small. We need everyone’s help for this campaign to be successful. By working together, we can ensure that our community truly is great – for everyone.”
United Way of Burlington &Greater Hamilton Board Vice Chair Tom Bontje, also in attendance at the event, thanked the campaign volunteers, and donors, for their important and valuable contribution to their community: “We are very fortunate to have individuals of the calibre of Dan and Gaston returning as Campaign Chairs this year. Both have made, and continue to make outstanding contributions to building our communities. Together with our generous donors we have all the necessary ingredients in place for a successful campaign.” of Burlington & Greater Hamilton Noted United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton CEO Darrel Skidmore: “I have seen first hand what this money means to our communities, whether it is helping isolated seniors, families who are struggling to make ends meet or
children who go to school hungry. Up to one in three persons in our communities access a United Way-funded community service on an ongoing basis. Meeting our target this year will allow us to make a significant contribution to enhancing the lives of those in need.”
Added Skidmore: “We will have to continue to grow our campaign annually if we are to keep up with the increasing needs of our communities. We look forward to working with our Community Leaders, our Campaign Cabinet and our workplace and community volunteers, towards the achievement of our fundraising goals,” he added.
About the United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton brings people and resources together in a way that makes our community a better, safer and healthier place to live. By bringing people together from all parts of our community to identify, develop and provide solutions to community needs, we promise that the donations we receive go where they are needed most. In 2007, United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton raised a total of $6,703,280 in support of projects, programs and partnerships delivered through 77 different community agencies.
Contact:
Darrel Skidmore
Chief Executive Officer
United Way of Burlington & Greater Hamilton
905-527-4576, ext. 230
