More than $83,000 has been raised by Prospera Credit Union’s annual United Way campaign.
The money was raised by the credit union’s 430 employees, who live and work in communities from the Okanagan to Vancouver. And for the fourth year in a row, Prospera sponsored a community representative to assist United Way in their campaign efforts.
Throughout the three-month campaign, Prospera’s sponsored representative Imraan Gazdar visited organizations of all sizes to share information about the many vital programs and services that are supported by United Way.
Prospera president Bruce Howell served as campaign cabinet co-chairperson for United Way of the Fraser Valley. The role gave him an opportunity to see behind the scenes and realize just how significant the impact of United Way is, particularly in smaller communities.
“I didn’t understand how United Way operates,” said Howell. “I saw them as this big charity that does a massive campaign every year to raise a bunch of money for projects that may or may not benefit my community. I know I’m not alone in that perception, but it turns out I was wrong.
“First of all, the money that is raised in my community stays in my community where it is used to address local needs such as providing affordable housing, improving early childhood education or tackling the many issues that surround homelessness.
“Secondly, and this is really important, the money isn’t being spent on administrative costs for some big organization trying to deliver a one-size-fits-all program. Quite the opposite is true. United Way partners with local grassroots organizations – the kind that are at the heart of every one of our communities – and supports them in responding to the specific needs of people in their area.”
