By Bryan Eneas

Government employees giving back through United Way

Sep 25, 2017 | 11:54 AM

For the first time in a number of years, a United Way campaign is coming back to the Gateway to the North.

On Sept. 25, employees from the Government of Saskatchewan in a variety of capacities announced the start of the campaign which will consist of three charity events as well as pay contributions. On Sept. 28, the committee organizing the fundraising campaign kicks things off with a barbecue outside of Plaza 88.

“It’s been many years since there’s been any such campaign in Prince Albert,” Wayne Mesenchuk from the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety said. “By starting this campaign here in Prince Albert we hope to add significant dollars to United Way, and in turn benefit agencies and organizations right here in Prince Albert.”

Mesenchuk said the Government of Saskatchewan supports the priorities United Way focuses on; poverty to possibility, helping kids be all they can be and supporting communities. He said this campaign will benefit the YWCA, the Mobile Crisis Unit and the Sexual Assault Centre in Prince Albert.

Jerri Frantik, from the Mobile Crisis Unit and Sexual Assault Centre, said the donations from United Way helps her organization do the kind of work they do in town.

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“With the money granted to us through United Way, we are able to help women and children reconnect and heal within their communities in a healthy way,” Frantik said. “These service are vital to the victims, and are not possible without the support we receive from United Way.”

Donna Brooks, from the YWCA said her organization relies on funding from United Way to keep the Our House cold weather shelter open.

Brooks said the funding from United Way comes without strings attached, which means there are no stipulations as to where it can be used.

“Most agencies, in order to operate, we have to have a lot of government contracts, and there’s always a lot of strings attached,” Brooks said. “There’s a lot of other things that are important… not just housing people but actually having to feed them as well.”

Mayor Greg Dionne also spoke on the importance of receiving funding without strings and said he understands the funding challenges faced daily by organizations like the YWCA and the Mobile Crisis Unit.

“I’m very excited about this campaign,” Dionne said. “When we get untethered money I call it… it’s even more appreciated because it fills in those volatile spaces.”

Government of Saskatchewan employees will host two additional fundraising events following the Sept. 28 barbecue kick off. Plans to host a pumpkin carving contest next month are in the works. A pancake breakfast will be hosted in November, with all proceeds going to United Way.

The roughly 1,600 government of Saskatchewan workers in Prince Albert can also donate money off of their paycheques or collect pledges for United Way as part of the latest campaign.

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas