Chamber News

United Way HPE supporting small businesses and community through unique online event

United Way HPE is launching a virtual auction with extraordinary items just in time for Christmas; it’s a popular way of raising funds with a bit of a twist.

“Small businesses have been tremendous supporters of ours and so many other groups for many years’” states Melanie Cressman, Director Donor Relations  at United Way HPE. “We saw this as an excellent opportunity to give back to them AND support our community through the United Way Campaign.”

Instead of asking small businesses like local restaurants to donate during these times, United Way HPE is asking other businesses that have survived and thrived through the pandemic to sponsor an item for the virtual auction that will in turn be purchased from a small local business.  For instance, we have a local company that has sponsored $500 to purchase gift cards that will support businesses in the Belleville downtown core.  This “Downtown Shopping Spree”  will be available online to the highest bidder.  The Local Love Virtual Auction will run from November 23rd—December 15th.

Campaign Chair Inspector Sheri Meeks reports that “The 2020 Response to Recovery Local Love Campaign is well underway and tracking slightly ahead of this time last year.  With over 200 workplaces still to report,  it’s anticipated that some sectors will have had struggles that will impact their capacity to give.  Initiatives like the Online Virtual Auction are much needed to bridge the gap of expected shortfalls.  We need the communities support now more than ever.”

Community members or businesses wishing to support the Local Love Virtual Auction please call 613.962.9531 or visit unitedwayhpe.ca/virtualauction

United Way Hastings & Prince Edward provides leadership in a collaborative manner with our Funded Agencies and others to increase the capacity of our community to respond to human services needs. We support 1 in 4 people in our local community through the 41 agencies and over 62 programs we support.