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2 7 |Thursday December 21, 2017 | O A K V IL L E B E A V E R |www.insidehalton.com United Way helps fund more than 4 6 local groups by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver The support of United Way Halton & Hamilton (UWHH) helps many Oakville organizations thrive. UWHH provides financial support to 46 different programs in Oakville. On Thursday Dec. 7, the UWHH held a reception at Oakville' s Appleby College to recognize area leadership donors who contribute $1,200 or more to its campaign. Any new or increased leadership donations of $1,200 or more to the UWHH will be matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $200,000 per year, through the Sprott Teadership Matching Challenge. On-hand to oudine how the UWHH helps a local organization was ArtHouse founder and executive director Don Pangman. ArtHouse offers free arts programs to children and youths aged seven to 17 years, as well as seniors, most particularly to individuals and families who may not have the financial resources or access to fee-related activities. Pangman spoke about the importance of UWHH, which has funded the arts group for more than six years. "It has been a phenomenal partner because it has introduced us to all of the other agencies that are part of the United Way. With the amalgamation, we're looking forward to getting to know more Burlington organizations, more Milton organizations and even in Halton Hills," said Pangman. The ArtHouse founder shared the story of how and why he first became involved with United Way as a donor in 1997. "The beautiful thing about United Way is it is helping the invisible," said Pangman. "We all need to keep doing that because these agencies are tireless, they're working hard. They don't necessarily have the opportunity to fundraise." Pangman also recalled the beginnings of ArtHouse and why he launched it in 2009. United Way Halton & Hamilton held a reception at the residence of the principal of Appleby College. Brad Park , President and CEO of the United Way of Halton & Hamilton , left, with Mike Miller, Chair of the United Way's leadership Committee. Don Pangman UWHH Leadership Committee chair Mike Miller said one-third of its campaign funds come from leadership gifts. He also stated its yearly campaign will end in late February 2018. "The United Way campaign' s current tagline is improving lives locally. Our team, led by Brad, identifies the key social issues in our towns and finds the right agencies to provide the programs, like Don' s ," said Miller. The challenge for UWHH going forward will be meeting needs that will continue to grow, as populations increase in Halton and Hamilton, Park said. "Our job of raising funds to help support those organizations is only going to get bigger," said Park. For information about UWHH leadership donations, visit uwhh.ca/teadership-giving/. | Graham Paine/Metroland "We've got to figure out a way to get more opportunities for young people in arts, particularly those who have no access to them because they're living in a low-income environment," said Pangman. He said ArtHouse has now expanded its services to beyond those with low incomes and to all of Halton. Individuals who have learning disabilities, autism and anxiety, as well as seniors, can access its programs. "All of them have needs and all of them wouldn't have access to the arts if there were a fee involved," said Pangman. UWHH president & CEO Brad Park reassured donors that contributions will remain local to wherever they come from, despite the recent amalgamation. "W hen you give in Oakville, when you give in Burlington or when you give in Halton Hills, those donations will remain in those communities and support the programs and services that exist in those communities," said Park. He noted the organization' s yearly campaign goal is $10 million, which is "huge." Need New Windows? 3245 H arve ste r Rd, B u rlin g to n Need a Thinking of Professional selling? Mover? SuCasa^ Home Staging & ReDesign High nergy G u it a r Le sso n S atone U g /tt 905 333-6705 - www.sucasahomestaging.com www.highenergytransport.com A ll S ty le s ,T e c h n iq u e & T h e o ry Daytim e & E v e n in g T im e s A vailable G I V E T H E G I F T O F M U S IC R e f e r a F r ie n d , G e t O n e M o n th Diam ond Award W inner V is it th e ir s h o w ro o m to s h o p fo r W in d o w s & D o o rs. 905-599-8348 Voted B EST HOME STAGER in Oakville! 416-684-2419 Voted BEST MOVER in Oakville. Call to get a FREE QUOTE. FREE! 1312 S p e e r s Rd, O akville (9 0 5 )3 3 4 -5 0 9 2 w w w .m g le sso n s.co m LASHES 292 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville Located on the 2nd floor, above Art Lee Menswear www.bxdlashes.com |647-588-LASH Oakville Beaver ALL LEVELS : : STEPHEN MACNEiL HONS.B.A. Private and : Music 20 Years Beginners - Advanced ' Teaching in Oakville