Crystal Hebert experienced homelessness and thanks the United Way Peterborough and District for providing support.
“I struggled a lot … the whole team invested in me,” she said.
Hebert shared her story as the United Way branch in Peterborough, Ont., launched its 81st annual fundraising campaign — an extension of the three-year campaign announced in 2020 with a goal to raise $5 million by 2023. The campaign on social media includes the hashtag #unignorable.
The campaign breakfast launch at the Healthy Planet Arena on Wednesday morning was the first live campaign event in three years due to the pandemic. Funds raised support 16 area charities and non-profit organizations, focusing on a variety of basic needs.
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Rather than announce how much money had been fundraised to date, CEO Jim Russell announced how many people the funds will support: 48,914 individuals in the community.
“We’re raising more for the community; we’re raising more for literacy, for homelessness, mental health,” Russell said during a …