On Oct. 16, 1887, a society matron in Denver met up with a priest, two ministers and a rabbi. Sounds like the beginning of a joke, doesn’t it?
However, they didn't walk into a bar. They created a society to collect funds for local charities. Their first campaign for what is now the United Way raised $21,700 (about $435,000 in today’s money) and the movement they founded is now carried on by some 1,800 local chapters around the globe.
Canadian communities began adopting the program in 1917. Over the years, it has been known as the Community Chest, United Appeal and Red Feather. To help people at risk during the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government distributed money through local United Way organizations.
Okotoks is affiliated with the United Way of Calgary & Area, which supports four themes that contribute to a well-rounded, healthy life: socioeconomic well-being, mental health, social inclusion and healthy relationships.
Many Calgary corporations encourage their employees to contribute to the United Way through payroll deductions of $5, $10 or more per paycheque. Okotoks residents who work for these corporations have the option of designating their United Way contribution for use in Okotoks. If you don’t know how this works, just ask.
Last year, United Way funding to Okotoks & District totaled just under $80,000. These funds are distributed through the United Way/Okotoks Partnership Committee, which is made up of eight local volunteers and a member of Town council. Local social service agencies are invited to apply for grants, and funding decisions are made in the spring.
This year’s recipients included the Foothill School Division, Christ the Redeemer Catholic Separate School Division, Foothills Country Hospice Society, Nurtured by Nature Mental Health and Wellness Society, Okotoks Family Resource Centre, Rowan House Society, Solace Grief Support Society, Inclusion Foothills Association and KidSport Okotoks.
However, in addition to allocating the grant money, the committee also conducts local fundraising campaigns to augment the grant. All funds raised stay in the Okotoks area.
Next year’s fundraising event will be an all-ages extravaganza called Okotoks’ Got Talent. The show will take place March 7, 2025 at the Viking Rentals Centre, but preparations are already underway.
“Performers may submit a short audition video through the United Way/Okotoks partnership link on okotoks.ca. The deadline is Sunday, Sept. 15,” said Coun. Oliver Hallmark, the Town’s representative on the committee. “Each video should be about three to five minutes long.”
Approximately 40 of these applicants will be invited to audition live before a review committee in November. The review committee will then select which acts will perform in the final show.
Over the longer term, the partnership committee is hoping to work with local employers to establish payroll deduction programs here in Okotoks to increase the pool of funds to $100,000.
The United Way has developed a program for payroll managers that simplifies the process. If you’re interested, email the partnership at unitedway@okotoks.ca.