Customers, friends and family gathered at Finning last week for a fundraising barbecue — one of several that Finning holds throughout the year to raise money for United Way’s local community fund.
The event also welcomed Ashlee Hyde, new local manager of resource and community development for United Way.
“It’s so great having a local person here who is part of the community and we’re happy to have her,” said Finning’s Derek Funk. “We hold these barbecues several times a year; Finning here and Finning as a whole have a great partnership with the United Way.”
Last year Finning in Williams Lake raised nearly $2,000 for the local United Way community fund through payroll deductions and nearly $5,000 through community barbecues throughout the year.
Ashlee Hyde said she’s excited to work with the community in her new role, which started on April 1.
“My first official event was the TRU Gala and today was my first fundraiser,” she explained. “Part of my role with United Way is to connect with local business and industry for fundraising - working on community impact and work place campaigns.”
Hyde was with Women’s Contact Society (WCS) for more than five years, working first as receptionist and then as event co-ordinator for WCS, Canadian Mental Health Association and Association for Community Living.
Hyde was born and raised in Williams Lake, and adding to her community connections and networking she has also started Elegant Event Rentals and Planning Co. business with her mother, Betty Turatus.
She explained that the United Way community fund helps organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Canadian Mental Health Association’s Women’s Spirituality Circle, Better at Home, Williams Lake Hospice and the Food Policy Council’s community gardens.
Every penny in the United Way community fund is invested by a local community impact council made up of leadership donors from places such as Finning.
The local impact council invites requests for funding from non-profit organizations, giving representatives the opportunity to present their requests in person, explaining where the money will go and how it will benefit children and families in the community.
“Every dollar stays here and that makes me feel great. My region covers the Cariboo, including Williams Lake and 100 Mile House. Even within the area, dollars stay local,” Hyde noted. “What’s raised in Williams Lake stays here, and what’s raised in 100 Mile House stays there.
“I would love to see our community fund grow this year so we can help more local organizations who help local children.”