ESTEVAN - The annual general meeting for the United Way Estevan, held on Wednesday night at the Beefeater Plaza, gave the organization another chance to celebrate the generosity of the community during the past 12 months.
Audited financial statements for the year ending Dec. 31, 2023, showed the United Way received $381,953 in donations, down slightly from the $386,658 the previous year. The bulk of the donations in 2023 came in during October's telethon, when $357,001 was raised.
The fundraising goal for 2023 was $343,064.
The United Way Estevan also received $123,918 through a national special projects grant, courtesy of the United Way Community Services Recovery Fund. That money was used to support a couple of projects in the community for $124,674.
Financial statements show the United Way distributed $250,000 to its member agencies and $54,607 through the community impact fund. Campaign expenses for the telethon were $48,725.
Michelle Beaulieu, who was the United Way's president in 2023, reflected on their accomplishments during the past 12 months and thanked all of those who made the success of the past year possible. She then handed over the presidential gavel to Mark Pettitt, who will hold the role for the next 12 months. This is Pettitt's second term as president, as he was at the helm of the organization in 2007.
Breanne Van De Woestyne will be the first vice-president for the next 12 months, Brittney Brokenshire will be the second vice-president and Lynn Trobert will be the treasurer.
Beaulieu, who will serve as past president, has committed to remain on the board for another three years, as have Becca Anderson, Danny Ewen, Jacie Vandermeulen and Shelly Veroba.
The United Way's 48th annual fundraising telethon will take place on Oct. 18 and 19 at the Estevan branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
The United Way has also started to prepare for its annual Day of Caring on May 29. Volunteers from the United Way's board and the community will head out into the community to help people and organizations with projects that can be completed during the day.
The annual meeting wrapped up with speeches from the United Way's different member agencies and community impact projects. They reflected on their work in the region and how the United Way makes their efforts possible.
The Mercury and SaskToday.ca will have more on this story.
