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While the main aim of the annual United Way campaign is to provide funding for the organizations that help those in need of support, one of the beneficial side effects has been the creation and strengthening of ties between the Queen’s and Kingston communities.

A long-time supporter, Caroline Davis, Vice-Principal (Facilities, Properties, and Sustainability), has seen the beneficial work up close as well as the impact that Queen’s community members can have.

Ms. Davis wears a number of hats for the United Way: member of the campaign committee; board member of the United Way of Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington, of which she is the chair this year; and board member for United Way Centreaide Canada.

Locally, Ms. Davis has been involved with the United Way KFLA since arriving at Queen’s in 2010 and has been impressed by its approach to the annual campaign as well as the way it helps support the community.

“I think the United Way of KFLA is an amazing institution and it’s a lot more innovative than most people might expect,” she says. “It is that sense of really knowing what we are trying to do that appeals to me. I’ve always wanted to have a clear sense of mission and values – building strength in the community and bringing resources and people together. That is the kind of thing I enjoy doing. The vision of working towards a better future for everybody really appeals to me.” 

One area, she says, that might not get a lot of recognition is the role that the Queen’s community plays in volunteering, such as the Queen’s students working with organizations like Pathways to Education, helping students graduate from high school. As for the Queen’s fundraising campaign, it is the United Way of KFLA’s biggest workplace fundraising effort, with this year’s target set at $310,000, about 10 per cent of the overall goal.

Ms. Davis says she receives “a lot of personal satisfaction” from being involved with the United Way, while the university also benefits. She continues to see the members of the fundraising committee developing their leadership skills, and she enjoys watching the personal growth that takes place.

Here in Kingston, as in all communities, there is need.  However, awareness is the key and that is something she is always looking to improve.

Working at Queen’s makes her want to give back to the community – with statistics in mind such as 396 individuals accessing emergency shelter, 11,500 using the food bank, it makes sense to get involved.  

“That’s where I think the work of the United Way of KFLA attacking the root causes of poverty makes so much sense. Bringing ideas as well as volunteers to a problem, and working with the community to solve it.”

Funds raised help the United Way support more than 57 programs delivered by 40 agencies that serve approximately 75,000 people in the KFLA area.

Queen’s community members can back the United Way through payroll deduction, a one-time gift, credit card, cheque or cash. To make a donation online through the United Way’s ePledge system, simply go to queensu.ca/unitedway. Please note that if you donated last year and selected the auto-renewal action, no further action is required unless you would like to change your donation. 

For more information call the United Way office at 613-542-2674 or email campaign@unitedwaykfla.ca.