By MARIANA C. MORALES
There is a good chance that you or someone you know has used an organization that is funded by the United Way of Canada.
Every year during October, Conestoga College holds a fundraising campaign for The United Way of Kitchener, Waterloo and Area. Oct. 12 marks the kickoff day for the campaign at the college. The goal, like previous years, is $50,000.
Last year, the Student Life department alone raised $5,110 which was a major increase from the previous year. A large portion of the $50,000 is donated by faculty and staff.
On Oct. 12, many community organizations will set up displays in the Student Life Centre to talk about their organization and to let students know where their money is going.
Student Life also works with two college programs, the business foundations program and human services foundations, to put events and activities together to encourage students to donate money. Those programs have a course called Student Success for Higher Learning which has the fundraiser as one of the course outcomes.
Student Life also encourages campus service learning which is an approach where students succeed in their course outcomes through activities in the college community. It is seeing Conestoga College as a village since we have everything a community has such as doctors, a chiropractor, a radio station, a retail store and more.
In order for a village to succeed, one must give back to the community. The United Way campaign gets students involved and helps them learn how to give back to our community.
Student Life programmer, Ryan Connell, organizes the event and said there could be students on our campus who are directly being helped by The United Way.
“It’s not just you’re donating to a cause and you might not know what the benefits of the change you donate,” he said. “The money from Conestoga’s campaign helps out people in our community.”
A giant poster of a thermometer will be placed outside of Tim Hortons that shows how close the college is to the goal.
The United Way of Kitchener, Waterloo and Area is a charity dedicated to helping communities and improving the lives of many people. The money they raise is given to other charities and communities that need the support. An example of an organization that is supported by The United Way is the Waterloo Region Food Bank. The United Way helps them fund-raise so that their association is possible. According to the Food Bank, for every $500 donated, it can be turned into $8,000 worth of emergency food.
Student Life needs volunteers to help with the campaign. Go to www.conestogac.on.ca/studentlife for volunteer opportunities. For more information on The United Way of Kitchener, Waterloo and Area, visit: www.uwaykw.org.
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