St. Clair College staff and students showed up in a big way during this year's United Way Giving Campaign and on Friday, Jan. 18, 2025, College officials showcased those efforts by handing over big a cheque.
The campaign kicked off in December and lasted for two weeks, raising a grand total of $8,300.
College and United Way staff pose with a big cheque as part of the 2024 United Way Giving Campaign on Jan. 17, 2024. (Rich Garton/St. Clair College)
"This was a great initiative, taking every single group at the College from student government, support staff, faculty, and administration, touching every campus," said Joe D'Angela, the Director of Advancement and Campus Partnerships at St. Clair College. "They all pulled off fantastic fundraising events to bring the whole community together to support this cause."
The College communities at Chatham, Downtown and Windsor Main campuses all hosted events - from chili cookoffs to movie nights and even a pie your prof' - to support the Giving Campaign.
"All of these wonderful ideas for events are coming from within. And when the ideas come through from within, the College will always be happy to support," said St. Clair College President, Michael Silvaggi. "Because this is coming from our family, it was quite easy to get on board. So, thank you to everyone who participated, raised funds, and donated, because frankly, that's where all the praise should go."
Some staff elected to make donations outside of those events, and others enrolled in the bi-weekly donation program where funds are automatically taken from their paycheck.
"A huge thank you to everyone who donated, and for that, we're so grateful," said Lorraine Goddard, the chief executive officer for United Way Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent. "United Way exists because of the generosity of the community and without local residents donating to United Way, we cease to exist."
Goddard said all money raised in the community stays local to support some of the most pressing issues, such a youth poverty, access to education and food, and helps the United Way offer specific programs to assist the community's most vulnerable.
"We support young people in their academic performance and remove barriers to their success," said Goddard. "We support their families, making sure that they have mental health supports and other things that they need in order for them to be able to support their families and young people to be successful as they grow and mature."
