Matt and Alisia Williams of Williams Drainage — along with children Matty, Haylie and Rylie — gathered at Diana Sweets restaurant for an ice cream cone, celebrating their decision to invest in United Way Perth-Huron’s (UWPH) Leader Donor Doubling program and help inspire others in the community to invest in UWPH’s work in North Perth.
“We have long been supporters of our local community as a family and as a business,” said Alisia Williams. “We want to ensure our children understand the importance of giving back to their local community. Having a sense of community can make us feel like we belong to something greater than ourselves. It provides a foundation for building meaningful connections and supportive relationships. Choosing to donate to the United Way 2019 campaign this year fits with our values of supporting local community initiatives because the United Way is 100% local.”
As part of the Leader Donor Doubling program, caring community members like Matt and Alisia contribute $6,000 to UWPH in North Perth hoping they will inspire five new donors to each give $1,200 so their donation “doubles up.” Last year, 16 Leader Match donors inspired 58 new Leader donors.
“Williams Drainage’s ongoing support and investment in the community is incredible,” added Helen Dowd, UWPH’s Manager Community Development North Perth. “In addition to their Leader Match donation, they co-sponsored a Bridges Out of Poverty workshop in September, Alisia joined UWPH’s North Perth committee and Williams Drainage has been at the forefront of the Living Wage discussion in North Perth.”
Calculated annually by UWPH’s Social Research and Planning Council (SRPC), the Living Wage — currently $17.55 an hour — is a calculation based on the living expenses of a family of four with both adults working full-time 35 hours a week, once government transfers and deductions are taken into account. Williams Drainage is a certified Living Wage employer.
“We feel so passionate about making a difference and helping people in our community through our volunteer efforts, participating in local events and sponsoring a variety of organizations,” concluded Williams. “While these efforts support our community on a small scale, we understand that change can only happen when we collaborate with others. This is where United Way comes in; we have a larger voice and can make a difference when we support the United Way.”
About Williams Drainage
Since 1984, Williams Drainage Inc. has provided quality agricultural drainage systems to their clients in Perth, Huron, Wellington, Bruce, Grey and Waterloo Counties. With second-generation family operating the business, Matt and Alisia Williams look forward to continuing this emphasis on quality, while pairing it with motivated, professional employees and the latest technology in the specialty areas of excavation and erosion control. As the industry’s needs change Williams Drainage Inc. changes and adapts too, continuing to provide our clients with the service they expect.