**UNITED WAY CENTRAIDE NORTHEAST ONTARIO MEDIA RELEASE**

United Way Centraide North East Ontario/Nord-est de l’Ontario (United Way North East Ontario) has an exclusive partnership with the Sudbury Wolves to promote programs for youth/youth mental health through its 50/50 partnership. Wolves United has branched out to partner with the City of Timmins Stars and Thunder Festival for the 50/50 portion of the widely popular music and fireworks festival.

Currently this week and into the Canada Day long weekend, dozens of volunteers and most of the United Way North East Ontario staff are all hands on deck to support local charitable programs in Timmins through the new high tech 50/50 electronic platform. With a successful first few days, Timmins Mayor Steven Black is optimistic about the outcomes of this year’s electronic 50/50 raffles. He states, “With the new technology United Way is bringing in for the 50/50 electronic raffles, we are able to see higher jackpots. By day two, we were excited to see a 50 per cent increase.”

According to Michael Cullen, executive director at United Way North East Ontario, “It’s truly amazing to see our volunteers offering their time to help with this monumental task. From logistic supports to running the day to day alongside our great staff who are truly committed to creating a stronger city charitable infrastructure.”

“We are excited to partner with 14 local programs to further advance the work of building a stronger community, while igniting an innovative form of volunteer engagement that makes the Stars and Thunder Festival a true community event. The support we have seen from our enthusiastic and dedicated volunteers has been beyond our expectations,” said Jennifer Gorman, regional navigator at United Way North East Ontario (Timmins office). “The United Way also considers the 50/50 partnership with the City of Timmins to be a true testament of how such an event will succeed for years to come.”

 

This project of handling the charitable trust on behalf of the Stars and Thunder is an example of how the United Way North East Ontario is diversifying its portfolio of raising charitable content to local communities across North East Ontario.

 

-With files from Timmins Today