Contributing to the community

Contributing to the community

This year鈥檚 Queen鈥檚 United Way Campaign is aiming to raise $370,178 in support of the United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington.

By Communications Staff

October 24, 2019

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Throughout our community the United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington is helping a wide range of services and organizations that offer much-needed support.

As the largest single workplace fundraising campaign in the region, the Queen鈥檚 United Way Campaign plays a key role in enabling these service providers as they work towards forming the building blocks of early education and ending youth homelessness to promoting physical and mental wellbeing and improving access to shelter and affordable housing.

This year the United Way KFL&A has set the fundraising campaign goal at $3,551,000. The Queen鈥檚 United Way Campaign Committee has set its fundraising goal at $370,178.

It鈥檚 another example of how Queen鈥檚 鈥 its staff, students, and faculty members, both active and retired 鈥 continues to contribute to its surrounding communities.

鈥淭he United Way provides hope, a sense of belonging and dignity. From alleviating hunger and poverty, to providing support to women and children fleeing violence and abuse, the United Way鈥檚 programs directly, and indirectly, benefit everyone in our community,鈥 says Tom Harris, Interim Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) and Executive Sponsor of the committee. 鈥淚 strongly encourage members of the Queen鈥檚 community to donate. Every little bit helps. It is amazing what the United Way can do to change lives locally.鈥

Last year, more than 53,000 people benefited from United Way KFL&A-funded programs.

Throughout the campaign, a number of events are held at Queen鈥檚 to promote the campaign and raise funds. Committee members are also attending faculty and departmental meetings to promote the campaign and explain how each donation 鈥 no matter the size 鈥 makes a difference.

鈥淨ueen鈥檚 University continues to lead the way in our community through its support of the United Way of KFL&A,鈥 says James Ligthart (Athletics and Recreation), chair of the Queen鈥檚 United Way Campaign Committee. 鈥淟ast year the Queen鈥檚 community contributed more than $368,000 to help United Way agencies build and strengthen our community. The donations by Queen鈥檚 staff, faculty and students along with the dedicated work of our volunteer committee make the Queen鈥檚 United Way campaign truly special.鈥

The benefits for the community are clear.

For example a donation of $2 per week provides winter boots for 11 children this winter, a $5 donation per week provides 203 meals at two local soup kitchens, while a donation of $20 per week provides 20 women with work attire and support to gain employment.

Donating is easy.

Queen鈥檚 community members can back the United Way through payroll deduction, a one-time gift, credit card, cheque or cash. 

To make a donation online through the United Way鈥檚 ePledge system, simply go to  and fill out the forms. On Oct. 7 all Queen鈥檚 faculty and staff received an email with the subject 鈥淨ueen鈥檚 United Way needs your support,鈥 containing a direct link to their custom e-pledge page. Please note that if you donated last year and selected the auto-renewal action, no further action is required unless you would like to change your donation. 

As of Tuesday, Oct. 22 the Queen鈥檚 campaign had raised $185,753, or just over 50 per cent of its goal.

Follow the Queen鈥檚 United Way Campaign Committee on and .

Visit the for more information.