United Way of Colchester County Connecting with the Community. 

90 Esplanade, Suite 2, The Truro Centre Truro, Nova Scotia (902) 895-9313 The United Way of Colchester County is one of eleven United Ways in the Atlantic Provinces who support their local communities under the leadership of United Way Centraide in Ottawa. Each United Way across Canada is unique and customizes their operations to meet the very specific needs of their own communities. Every dollar of every donation received by the United Way of Colchester County stays right here and helps build their capacity to support their partner agencies with programs and services that, in turn, support individuals and families – your families, friends, neighbour’s and co-workers – right here in Colchester County. The United Way of Colchester County has been an active and respected community organization in Colchester County since the 1950’s. Although, through the years, the name has changed from Community Chest to United Appeal to United Way. In the late ’70s, United Ways across North America gained access to payroll deduction in workplaces. Currently, one hundred plus volunteers are active in fundraising campaigns conducted in over 80 workplaces across Colchester County. The funds collected are distributed locally to programs and services in our community. The organization started in Colchester County in 1954 when a group of concerned citizens under the leadership of the Truro Board of Trade recognized the need to unite resources to support social agencies. This was the start of the United Way Movement in our community and was known over the years as the Community Chest, The United Appeal, The Truro and District United Way and United Way of Colchester County.

United Way of Colchester County staff, Sam Madore (Interim Executive Director), Sarah Flemming (Executive Director), and Heather Hamilton (Office and Community Engagement Coordinator).

The United Way of Colchester County loves the events that are happening in Downtown Truro as they love anything that brings our community together in a positive way. They love the exposure that United Way receives when they have the opportunity to set up with an information table on the street and talk to the members of our community about the work they are doing. Their favorite thing about being located in Downtown Truro is being so close to their partner organizations and supporters. They also like that they can check out the shops, restaurants and parks nearby when they take their lunch breaks or bring their dogs to work!

United Way of Colchester County summer students Emily and Laura at Downtown Truro’s Buskerfest.

The United Way of Colchester organizes and hosts several events throughout the year. These events include; Bikes 4 Kids, Back 2 School, Day of Caring, Soup Fest, Elves 4 Elders, and the Campaign Kick Off. The United Way of Colchester County Bikes 4 Kids program collects gently used bikes and repairs them in order to provide children and youth within our community the opportunity to experience the joy of owning their own bike. The goal of this program is to ensure every child across Colchester County lives a healthy and happy childhood, the program brings community members together to help our neighbours as well as, encourages children to learn bicycle safety (a helmet and bike safety tips are provided to each child who receives a bike). The United Way of Colchester County’s Back 2 School program provides free backpacks and school supplies for students and families. The goal of this program is to ensure every child across Colchester County has what they need to succeed with their education; the program brings community members together to help our neighbours, as well as encourages children to learn without barriers. The United Way Day of Caring is a unique and rewarding opportunity for community groups or employees to come together and work on a meaningful project in their community. Participants in the Community Campaign volunteer to complete a project on the list of a local organization supported by the United Way of Colchester. The United Way of Colchester workplace campaign is the largest fundraising initiative of the year. Kicking off on September 21 with a United Way Day throughout Colchester County, and continuing through to the end of the year with several events, presentations and community outreach, with the support of their volunteer Campaign Team, made up of leaders throughout the community. Please find the link to Campaign Team video here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8gaHDfU9Js

Local children donating supplies to United Way of Colchester County’s Back 2 School Program.

When we asked interim Executive Director Sam Madore about what she is most proud of about the United Way of Colchester County’s organization, she said, “the impact the United Way is able to have on people in need in our community.” She loves her job because she gets to connect with the community, build relationships with their funded agencies and see what they are able to do with the funds they are able to provide them, as well as, coming up with creative ways to connect with sponsor and partner organizations to increase their impact throughout Colchester County. If you were interested in getting involved with the United Way of Colchester County, you can visit www.unitedwaycolchester.ca, send an email to Heather at coordinator@colchester.unitedway.ca, or follow them on social media @uwcolchester. You can also start a workplace campaign or make a donation. By supporting the United Way of Colchester County you are helping to improve the circumstances of people in need right here in our community, you are helping more people by investing in multiple non-profits and the essential work they do, and you are helping to create a healthier, stronger community through their programs (Elves for Elders, Bikes 4 Kids and Back 2 School).

United Way of Colchester County’s Staff and Board of Director’s after their AGM in June 2022.