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‘Northdale N?** Auto Bodusg$% Reg Earie@JEarieMcCormick.com www. JEarieMcCormick.com What‘s your strategy? J. Earie McCormick Financia! Strategist _ 725 4505 Heart Attack urs & Fri nights to 8 PM. 519â€"664â€"1133 Although the organizers are optimistic they will reach their target, some of the companies that have traditionally been big supâ€" porters of the cause have recently closed their doors. r ['\he United Way of Kitchenerâ€"Waterloo and Area‘s annual fundraising campaign is nearing its end, and so far they‘ve raised about 40 per cent of their goal. Campaign has two weeks to reach target United Way still far away from goal "We know we‘ve lost By Jennirer Ormsron Chronicle Staff Cambridge 385 Hespeler Rd 519.622.3377 The United Way is encouraging companies to start their own workplace campaigns, which Denison said can be done easily by going online to www.unitâ€" edwaykw.org or by calling 519â€"888â€"6100. she She cited the communiâ€" ty‘s growing population, along with societal changes â€" such as rising crime, family violence, unemployâ€" ment and poverty rates, among others â€" as the reaâ€" sons for the target hike. 7 Charlotte St, 519.759.7550 403 Fairview Dr. 519.759.1150 "We increased the numâ€" ber largely because we need to get closer to the actual need in the community," Denison said. This year‘s campaign tar get is its highest ever. To try and counter this, the United Way is encouragâ€" ing new donors and busiâ€" nesses to get involved in the campaign, said Machelle Denison, the volunteer campaign chair. "It‘s quite a challenge." The fundraising camâ€" paign kicked off on Sept. 14 at Forbes Waterloo Toyota, and since then about 3,000 volunteers have been workâ€" ing to raise its $5.75 million goal. about $400,000 in business from last year to this year," said Penny Rolinski, the Kâ€" W United Way‘s campaign director. Employers have the need to keep pace," Kitchener 1334 Weber St E. 519.894.9700 _ 75 G 685 Fischerâ€"Hallman, 519.744 592 j 51 rand C s to _ _ M Another way to support the campaign is to buy rafâ€" fle tickets for two Rav4s, which were donated to the campaign by Toyota Canaâ€" da. People can make a oneâ€" time donation or sign up for an automatic monthly bank or creditâ€"card withdrawal. Pledge forms for individâ€" ual donations are available at all local Pizza Pizza outâ€" lets, Home Hardware stores and TD Canada Trust branches. "That‘s not insignificant. When you think of the number of small businesses in this community, the potential is huge." They have all si-gnéd up for payroll deductions, and this year they raised $4,400. For the last 15 years, her small company, Denison Print, has run a workplace campaign, which has become a great source of pride for her 11 employees. "I think we (small busi nesses) have a lot to con tribute collectively." As a smallâ€"business owner, she is appealing to others to follow her lead and hold a campaign. "It‘s really up to. the employer to set the tone for their campaign," Denison option of running simple campaigns, or elaborate ones with special events and team activities. Tickets, which cost $20 2:2700 _ 75 Grand River StN 168 King St S 744.5921 519.442â€"2622 519.579.1860 .grandcu.com "There‘s a lot of people that rely on the United Way campaign." "If we don‘t hit our goal, if we come in significantly under where we need to be, then there could be changes," she said. Many individuals in this community depend on proâ€" grams that are funded by the United Way, she said. If the United Way does not reach its goal, Rolinski said local agencies may sufâ€" fer the consequences. "It is a chance to reach people and help them when they are most vulnerable for whatever reason," she said. She encourages the pubâ€" lic to donate to this camâ€" paign, which ends on Nov. 24, because of the lives it can change. "It‘s as broad as society itself." "When I look at the agencies and the programs that are being supported, 1 believe in them. They supâ€" port literacy, women‘s shelâ€" ters, multiple sclerosis, blindness. people with disâ€" abilities, seniors, youth, children," she said. Denison is so passionate about this cause because of the United Way‘s farâ€"reachâ€" ing scope â€" it helps more than 40 agencies and 80 programs. each, can be purchased by calling the United Way office, and all proceeds will go to the charity. Waterioo