Major gift event brings local need and generosity to the front lines
Our community’s most generous supporters gathered at London’s Hunt and Country Club October 16 to celebrate changing the odds for local people experiencing poverty and other barriers to personal success. The event raises support for United Way Elgin Middlesex and was hosted by past Campaign Chair and club member John Sliskovic, Partner, Tax – Private Client Services at Ernst & Young.
An invite only event, John treated the 100+ local community leaders in attendance to an evening of networking, fine food and drink, and the opportunity to hear about a part of London most will never experience.
Special guest speaker Jasmine Ball, United Way Sponsored Employee loaned by Western University, shared her personal story of growing up in poverty, and overcoming these barriers to break the cycle in her own family. Jasmine was passionate about how United Way support can change this story for other families, and she shined a light on the #unignorable issues our community faces. One donor was so moved by her story, their gift of $5,000 was made on the spot!
Also in attendance and at the podium was Wortley Village favourite Kyla Woodcock, Founder of Forest City Sport & Social Club and this year’s United Way Campaign Chair, adequately labelled Chief ChangerMaker as the role focuses on the public face of United Way’s annual fundraising campaign. Kyla was joined by many of her Campaign Cabinet, including St. Thomas’s top-cop Chief Herridge, and United Way Elgin Middlesex Board Chair, Karen Dalton.