June 11, 2015
1408
The United Way of Bruce Grey needs 405 cords of wood and it must raise $25,000 to meet this need.
That's the word from executive director Francesca Dobbyn.
In order to better plan, and to respond to winter utility needs for the 2015-16 winter, the United Way has projected it will need to purchase 405 cords of wood, says Dobbyn. Working with area wood suppliers, the United Way has reached a deal with a summer price-point.
“It’s much easier for our various wood suppliers to manage our level of need if we order now," she says. "So, we’ve reached out and made some purchases which will enable us to reach an average price of around $62 per cord.
This past winter, the United Way assisted 77 families that were using wood stoves for heat, at a cost of $45,425 or $590 per family. With the advance purchase, the United Way can serve 81 families, at a cost of $25,000 or $309 per family (average cost).
Dobbyn says there were families in the early part of 2015, requesting assistance to purchase wood, but there was none available.
The United Way is more than halfway to its fund-raising goal for the purchase of wood, thanks, in part, to a charity hockey game in Tiverton at the end of March. The Canadian Union for Skilled Workers raised $6,000 for the United Way as part of its annual hockey fund-raising, and designated the funds to the wood project.
“We’ve been fortunate to access some grants and other fund-raising opportunities so we’re just $10,000 shy of our $25,000 goal," says Dobbyn. "So, we are appealing to the community help us meet this need."
To make a donation, please visit donatetoday.ca (mobile-friendly); mail or drop-in to the United Way at 380 9th Street East, Owen Sound; or call 519-376-1560.
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