The United Way Peterborough & District has officially launched its 2025-26 community campaign with the theme “Building Community, Changing Lives” and an ambitious goal of raising $1.6 million.
The official launch took place at noon on Thursday (September 25) at a fundraising event at the Healthy Planet Arena in Peterborough that included a catered lunch. According to a media release from the United Way, the event broke records with its highest ticket sales in years.
“This incredible turnout demonstrated the enthusiasm across Peterborough and the county for the work that we do together,” said United Way CEO Jim Russell. “The dollars raised through this campaign directly support frontline non-profits and ensure vital services are available to those who need them most, from food security and housing to mental health supports and education.”
At the launch event, the United Way revealed its $1.6 million campaign goal, which is $100,000 more than last year’s goal of $1.5 million — a goal the organization met for the first time in over 10 years and then exceeded.
“With strong early momentum, record-breaking launch attendance, and innovative new initiatives, the United Way is confident the community will once again rise to the challenge,” the release states.
One of those new initiatives is The United Way Ultimate Burger Battle, running during the month of November, where local restaurants will compete to craft the “Ultimate Burger,” with $2 from every burger sold supporting United Way programs. The event has already been proven to be a successful fundraiser for other United Way affiliates across Canada.
Another new initiative is monthly 50/50 draws, held entirely online to make it easy to participate, with the first draw scheduled to take place on Friday, October 31.
Thursday’s launch event also highlighted the importance of individual workplace campaigns to the success of the United Way’s annual campaign.
GM Financial in Peterborough shared the success of their workplace campaign last year, which raised $38,795 for the United Way including through fun events such as Jeopardy, and capped it off with a surprise performance by one of their staff members, local drag artist Miss Divalicious, demonstrating how a little creativity and a lot of joy can be powerful drivers of fundraising.
“These events highlighted how our community is coming together in innovative ways,” said the United Way’s 2025-26 campaign chair Paul Rellinger, who himself has supported the United Way for many years, most notably by organizing five annual Peterborough Performs: Musicians United To End Homelessness benefit concerts that have raised almost $150,000, with the latest concert this past March raising a record amount of $36,375.
“Fundraising can be inspiring and energizing, but what matters most is the impact: every dollar raised helps to improve lives right here in our community,” he added.
“And when we say community, we mean both the city of Peterborough and the county, because many of the partner agencies we fund serve residents across our entire region. The dollars raised here, stay here, supporting programs and services that our neighbours rely on every single day.”
Funds raised through United Way support critical services across the city and county of Peterborough, addressing key socioeconomic and health issues including food insecurity, housing, mental health, and other essential needs.
The $1.51 million raised during last year’s campaign meant 234,042 meals were provided, more than 450 students received essential school supplies, and 28,125 social inclusion and wellness checks were made for vulnerable residents.
For more information about the United Way Peterborough & District and to donate, visit www.uwpeterborough.ca.
