Calgary, AB – More than 2,200 Calgarians took to Stephen Avenue this morning to draw attention to #UNIGNORABLE social issues like poverty, mental health, and social isolation as part of United Way of Calgary and Area’s annual fundraising campaign.
Led by United Way president and CEO Karen Young, and her campaign co-chairs Deloitte Private prairies market leader Marc Joiner, and Husky Energy senior vice president and special advisor to the CEO Nancy Foster, participants carried placards identifying some of our city’s pressing social issues and encouraging others to #DoLocalGood.
As agencies, corporations, partners, government, and the public gathered in Olympic Plaza, Mayor Nenshi declared September United Way Month in recognition of United Way’s work to bring people together to solve some of our most complex issues. He noted that being the world’s fifth most livable city comes, in part, from having strong social supports, and standing together to make our city a better place for everyone.
“Issues like poverty, mental health, and social isolation are often seen as someone else’s problem,” Young stated. “But they’re not. They widen the gap between those who are doing well and those who are not, threatening the strong social fabric that is vital to healthy, strong communities.
“I believe these issues require us as Calgarians to rise out of complacency – to open our eyes and truly see the struggles so many in our city face. That’s what United Way’s #UNIGNORABLE campaign is all about; bringing to the forefront important issues that too often go unnoticed.”
Young challenged Calgarians to learn more about the issues United Way is tackling and how each individual can contribute to the solution; to recognize or thank someone for an act of kindness and share that act through social media; and to show their local love by doing local good.
In 2018, United Way invested $50M to support 138 programs at 90 local agencies and 52 collaborative initiatives. More than 160,000 individuals were positively impacted as a result.
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About United Way
United Way of Calgary and Area is a social impact organization that brings together agencies, donors, corporations, volunteers, and governments to create lasting social change in the communities we serve. We do this by investing in local programs and collaborations, convening key partners to coordinate systems change, and building innovative solutions to address root causes of #UNIGNORABLE social issues.
For more information, please contact:
Lisa Rushka
Momentum Communications
403-816-1038
Yvette Biggs
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
United Way of Calgary and Area
yvette.biggs@calgaryunitedway.org