COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE GTA JOIN UNITED WAY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST LOCAL POVERTY

United Way kicks off the most ambitious, engaging, and local campaign to date.

Brian Porter, campaign chair and Scotiabank President and CEO, along with Daniele Zanotti, United Way Greater Toronto President and CEO, joined supporters to announce a $110,000,000 fundraising goal in the fight against local poverty. Funds raised in this campaign support a network of agencies across Peel, Toronto and York that help people when and where they need it the most. It’s a campaign that reaches across the region, with an impact that is fiercely local.

“It’s an honour for me to serve as the chair of the most ambitious fundraising campaign in United Way Greater Toronto history. Scotiabank is very proud of our long relationship with United Way, and we are looking forward to playing a leading role in this year’s campaign. Special thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate today’s launch, including: my fellow Scotiabankers; cabinet colleagues; our agency and community partners; as well as the hundreds of volunteers who attended the kick-off and also ran events across the city. The 2018 campaign is off to a great start,” said Brian Porter, President and CEO, Scotiabank.

Beyond dollars raised, United Way aims to engage one million people by 2025. As part of today’s launch, hundreds of people volunteered at 26 United Way agencies across Greater Toronto: helping cook and serve hot meals (at Brampton’s Knight’s Table, Mississauga’s Eden Food for Change); connecting with programs that support isolated seniors (at Woodbridge’s CHATS); and participating in adaptive sports (at Scarborough’s Variety Village). Individual actions can have a big impact — for simple ways to contribute, visit unitedwaygt.org/showyourlocallove.

“ Increasingly, the issues facing the GTA know no municipal boundaries. Our shared solutions shouldn’t either. The need for a helping hand close to home is true across our region. While our first campaign as United Way Greater Toronto – working with communities in Peel, Toronto and York Region – is our biggest, it’s also really, really small. Because it’s about giving back, connecting with each other and working with community – from Mississauga to Midtown to Markham. Together, we’re fighting local poverty in all its forms,” said Daniele Zanotti, President and CEO, United Way Greater Toronto.