The United Way Nipissing District says they raised $167,000 through their fundraising initiatives this year and that increases the amount they’ve raised in their first 5 years in Nipissing to $725,000.

Community Coordinator Katina Matheson says it was a challenging year with local business closures and cuts and much of the fundraising does take place at workplaces but many others picked up the slack.
She says the money raised will support 15 programs and initiatives.

Several companies and organizations received awards for their efforts including Union Gas, Canadore College and Low Income People Involvement of Nipissing and the LCBO.

Michael Cullen is executive director of the United Way in Sudbury-Nipissing and he says the United Way is always evolving and he predicted a new United Way with an emphasis on things other than fundraising.

He says they need to do a better job of leveraging funds with community partners.

He talked about a home weatherization program that could assist people in managing their utility costs and an added importance of the 2-1-1 hot line.