Helping to make Powell River a healthy, caring and inclusive community, Powell River and District United Way works hard each year to raise funds for local organizations.
United Way funding is focused on prevention. Rather than providing a band-aid approach for today, the charity aims to support programs that offer assistance into the future. Each gift goes a long way.
At the end of October, the charity’s fundraising campaign had reached $187,437, close to the $200,000 goal.
Dale Lawson, executive director for Powell River and District United Way, appreciates the community’s support. “Your gift makes a positive difference in people’s lives today and will continue to have an impact throughout our community for years to come,” she said.
Take for example the work of Powell River’s Brain Injury Society. For years the society has run a school education program for grades four and five by the “heads up crew.” With sponsorship from Powell River and District United Way and the province of BC, the society goes into schools with a presentation on brain injury prevention and awareness.
An initiative of United Way, and supported by the Credit Unions of BC and the province, is Success by 6. Together with the ORCA (On the Road with Children’s Activities) Bus, in partnership with School District 47, Success by 6 helps children, aged between zero and six years, heighten their experiences. By the age of five, 90 per cent of the brain’s development has already happened.
“In the Powell River area almost 30 per cent of our kids start kindergarten with ‘vulnerable’ areas in their development, meaning they will likely experience challenges to succeeding in school and in life,” said Nadine Porchetta, Success by 6 coordinator. “If a brain is stimulated from infancy, children will learn easily and function well physically.” And that is the understanding behind Success by 6 and the ORCA Bus program.
Another initiative of United Way is Volunteer Powell River. The program matches volunteers with organizations requiring assistance. Through volunteerism, people can give back to the community, increase their health, sense of self-worth and their employment opportunities by showing reliability, adaptability and responsibility.
Every dollar raised is put to good use:
Powell River Community Services Association can continue to run its community-based victim services program, a confidential one-to-one support for victims of child, relationship and sexual abuse.
BC Children’s Hospital receives support because every year more than 700 visits are made to the hospital by children and their families here in Powell River.
Powell River’s Brain Injury Society can continue to provide education and activities for people with brain injuries, as well as educating the community about the devastating effects a brain injury can have on the life of a survivor.
Powell River Therapeutic Riding Association can help children, who may have been sitting in a wheelchair most of their lives, experience how it feels to have lower body mobility.
Powell River Association for Community Living can run its integrative preschool, bringing able-bodied children together with children with disabilities, allowing all children to feel included in the community.
St. John Ambulance can continue to provide life-saving training to community members and have a reassuring presence at Powell River community events.
Westcoast ACCESS can continue to train dogs to assist people with disabilities and to provide companionship for those living alone. Dogs are taken into schools to help children learn about dog-safety.
Model Community Project for Persons with Disabilities can continue to ensure equal opportunities and an accessible community for people with disabilities.
Donations can be made directly through the website, by cheque payable to Powell River and District United Way, through preauthorized giving set up at any financial institution, through payroll deduction, or by cash. To find out more information, interested readers can contact Lawson and Porchetta at 604.485.2132.
