United for Good: United Way Perth-Huron announces $2.5M campaign goal

United for Good: The 2026/26 campaign kick off for United Way Perth-Huron revealed a goal of $2,529,770.

It was with great excitement that the team at United Way Perth-Huron announced their newest $2.5 million campaign goal before a large crowd in Market Square. The goal of $2,529,770 is lower than last year’s goal by $95,000 due in part to an excess in fundraising last year.

“We are here because all of us want to unite for good, we want to stand behind this community and we want to stand behind people in this community that maybe need a little help. We will stand together recognizing the challenge that people face, and recognizing at any moment a challenge may come our way and so as a community we need to unite for good,” began Ryan Erb.

He also recognized the local urgency in concern for the homeless and unhoused. There has been a great deal of conversation of late, and he wanted everyone to understand that there is a lot of people here who do care.

“I’m so thankful that community members have been standing up and speaking boldly and sharing their passion around the issue of ending homelessness in this community,” said Erb. “Together we can move forward to help solve it.”

Organizations like the United Way, the Council of Churches and the City of Stratford, among others, are gathering to discuss next steps, continuing to take recommendations that have already been made and hopefully making them a reality thanks in part to the extra push that has been experienced in the community.

“I want everyone to know that there is good work happening and I’m sure there will be further information in the near future,” said Erb. He later said that there should be initiatives in the upcoming year that will be of special interest.

The national organization of United Way is the largest funder of social services next to the government and without their work, people would fall through the cracks. Housing has been work that is high priority, and in that spirit, there were stained glass houses donated for sale by the congregation of Avondale United Church. The church members created these in support of United Housing and were selling them for $30 each.

The campaign co-chairs for the second year in a row are Kristin Sainsbury and John Wolfe. “Last year alone, over 25,000 local individuals benefitted from programs and services made possible through the support of the United Way,” said Sainsbury. “These aren’t numbers, they represent stories of transformation and renewed hope made in the lives of vulnerable people in our communities/”

Through employee donations, corporate campaigns, community donations and volunteerism, services like the Connection Centre can be supported by the United Way. For more information visit perthhuron.unitedway.ca.