(Queen’s Park) – In a statement in the Ontario legislature this week, Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece thanked those involved in United Way Perth Huron’s #UNIGNORABLE campaign. He made the following remarks:
“On Friday, United Way Perth Huron held their semi-virtual campaign kick-off event. The video presentation featured campaign co-chairs Martin and Kathryn Ritsma. Along with executive director Ryan Erb, they spoke about some of the unignorable issues we face. They shared stories about those experiencing poverty, homelessness and social isolation.
“These issues are really about people—people in our community who are experiencing hardship. Meeting their needs takes effort and leadership. We have that in the United Way and all the organizations they support. It also takes financial resources. As part of Friday’s event, the United Way announced its most ambitious local fundraising campaign goal ever: $1,762,200.
“Ryan Erb gave a few examples of the kind of help they can provide: ‘We want to be able to help people who might be experiencing a challenge right here and right now,’ he said. ‘Maybe they need a bit of help paying their rent. Maybe they need a bit of help with paying for that car-repair bill so they can get to their job and don’t lose it.’
“In response to last year’s fundraising goals, the community stepped up. Workplaces of all sizes, hundreds of them, made donations. Let’s encourage each other to do it again this year. I’m confident we will do it again, because that’s the kind of community we are. The need is great, but so is our collective capacity to give.
“To everyone involved in the campaign, thank you for making our community stronger.”
For the full video of MPP Pettapiece’s statement in the Ontario legislature: