By Yousef Wahba
In May, an inspiring display of community spirit took place as over 120 dedicated volunteers from Halton & Hamilton joined forces for Show Your Local Love Day. The event, organized by United Way Halton & Hamilton, aimed to make a meaningful impact on local agencies partnered with the United Way.
In an extraordinary show of support, volunteers from diverse backgrounds came together to participate in numerous projects, both in-person and virtually. Their collective strengths and abilities were channeled into assisting frontline agencies and their programs, which play a crucial role in aiding individuals in need.
Recognizing the challenges faced by United Way-supported agencies in the midst of the cost-of-living crisis, Brad Park, the president and CEO of United Way Halton & Hamilton, emphasized the importance of helping these agencies maintain their programs and operations. He praised the volunteers for their dedication, stating, “Seeing so many volunteers come together to clean up garden beds, or help with a fresh coat of paint, shows that we are all committed to making our community a place where everyone can thrive.”
The volunteers engaged in a wide range of tasks, from landscaping and gardening to painting, organizing agency events, and even packing menstrual hygiene kits. By contributing their time and effort, the participants demonstrated their unwavering support for essential agencies that provide critical programs to the community.
United Way Halton & Hamilton, with its rich history of community collaboration, plays a pivotal role in bringing together various stakeholders including labour, government, private sector, non-profit organizations, and volunteers. By harnessing the power of dialogue and collective action, United Way drives meaningful change on the toughest issues faced by the community.
With over 206,019 residents across Halton and Hamilton relying on 106 United Way-supported programs, the impact of the organization’s work cannot be overstated. Every dollar raised is reinvested back into the community, making United Way the largest funder of social service programs and initiatives in Canada, outside of the government.
The Show Your Local Love day featured many different small acts of charity all across Halton and Hamilton, some of which were right here in Burlington! These included Community Living Burlington, where volunteers painted the living room and kitchen at one of Community Living Burlington’s residential homes, and at Food for Life, where the volunteers sorted a whopping 2,227 lb of goodsurplus food that is now ready to be shared out in the community. Not only that, but the volunteers also helped ensure inedible food was sorted for the compost program.
As the day drew to a close, the success of Show Your Local Love Day was evident. United Way Halton & Hamilton expressed deep gratitude to all the volunteers whose efforts made this year’s event an incredible success. Through their hard work and dedication, they have strengthened the social safety net and ensured that important programs continue to positively impact the lives of those in need.
