Prince George City Council is officially beginning ‘United Way Week’ by raising a flag to mark the title organization.
.@Lynhallpg, @unitedwaynbc raise flag outside city hall to officially begin #UnitedWayWeek @mypgnow #CityOfPG pic.twitter.com/Ka3LDYHRSh
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) December 15, 2016
City Councillor Albert Koehler volunteers with the United Way of Northern BC and says he’s pleased with the continued relationship.
“It helps many, for example, brain injuries and others. So, it’s a good organization with good board members, so I’m fully behind it.”
The global non-for-profit is also creating more awareness to donors on where their money is actually going.
United Way of Northern BC campaign officer Roberta Squire says for every dollar given, 90 cents is put back into the community.
“We only ever use 10% of a donation, like a dollar, to go towards funding expenses, operational expenses, and employee expenses. I can honestly say I think we’re the only ones in Northern BC that can say that.”
She adds the money will go towards helping over 300 organizations across the Northern region, especially ones that put kids first.
According to the United Way of Northern BC, more than 3,200 children in Prince George are currently living in poverty.
Squire says the goal is to bring that number down.
“We’re working with the homeless count, we’re working with food banks, and we’re working to mitigate any gaps in the programs because the city can only do so much; government can only do so much.”
While United Way is being recognized for the week, Squire says it’s a year-long collaboration between the two parties.
.@CityofPG, @Lynhallpg, @unitedwaynbc kick-off #UnitedWayWeek at city hall; goal to get kids out of poverty with collaboration @mypgnow pic.twitter.com/hAh3iZfkVM
— Kyle Balzer (@KyleBalzer) December 15, 2016