United Way kicks off $2.6M campaign
CONNOR LUCZKA, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Every year, thousands of people across the region benefit from services supported by United Way Perth-Huron thanks to the generosity of local donors. On Sept. 18, United Way launched its 2026 fundraising campaign in Stratford with a lunchtime event in Market Square behind city hall.
There the organization announced its $2,682,720 goal for this year.
“According to a United Way survey, 60 per cent of us are feeling anxiety about our finances,” United Way Perth-Huron CEO Ryan Erb said prior to the goal announcement. “You know of somebody that's feeling a bit of anxiety these days about paying their bills or challenges that they're facing? I'm sure you do. According to that same survey, 40 per cent of us would say if we lost our jobs today, we couldn't pay our bills next month. So when we think about that and we understand that so many people are living on the very edge, struggling to survive, whether they're on government support or whether they have a job or three, it is really hard for so many people in our community right now. Almost every social issue that we face is somehow connected with the amount of income that people have … We're going to work together as a community to address that.”
“I'd like us to make take a moment to reflect on what the number really does represent,” June Leitch, Stratford-Perth campaign co-chair, said. “It represents the dollars needed to support vital programs that help thousands of people right here in Perth-Huron. …These dollars help support people experiencing homelessness through organizations like the Connection Centre and Shelterlink. They provide access to professional counselling through Family Services Perth Huron, helping people improve their mental health and well-being. It also promotes inclusion, belonging and awareness through organizations such as Stratford Perth Pride and Kaswentha-Two Row Now, and those are only a few examples.
“Through over 30 funded partners and programs, your generosity creates real change throughout our communities. Every gift helps ensure help that help is available when local people need it the most.”
The $2.6 million goal is larger than last year’s goal (which was $2.5 million) and more than what was raised last year as well. Another record-setting year, $2.56 million was raised for the 2025/26 campaign, continuing a trend of breaking records year after year.
All of the money raised for the United for Good campaign stays in the Perth-Huron region, going towards the many services supported by the organization. Aside from government, the United Way is the largest funder of social services in the region.
“Think of someone that you know who is struggling,” Marian deWever, this campaign’s other co-chair, said. “Someone who has been renovicted, someone who needs counselling but can't afford it, a young person whose home life is unsafe, a senior who needs support filing their taxes, a single mom struggling to make ends meet. Now imagine the impact of knowing that help is available. Let's come together to ensure programs are there for the people we care about and the people that we've never met. So, what are we united for? We are united for good.”
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