KAWARTHA LAKES-The United Way City of Kawartha Lakes has a million reasons to thank the staff at Crayola Canada. Over the past 29 years the company and it’s employees have raised more that $1 million dollars for the charity. “This year, the 50th anniversary for the United Way for CKL was particularly exciting because we knew we had the opportunity to surpass $1,000,000 in total donations,” Paul Murphy General Manager of Crayola Canada said. “We are very proud to say that due to the combined efforts of Crayola employees, United Way, volunteers and the customers who attended the sale, we have successfully achieved this goal.”
The Sale Murphy is referring to is the much anticipated yearly, Crayola Warehouse sale held in Lindsay. People come from all across Ontario and beyond to pick up crayons, markers and other Crayola products at a discount. Those products have been shipped as far away as Africa and Zimbabwe, lighting up the life of children who don’t have much. “The Crayola sale has an economic ripple effect locally, which also has a global reach through shoppers making purchases to be shared in third world countries,” Penny Barton Dyke, United Way CKL explained. “The impact of 29 years of giving has had far reaching effects, changing thousands of lives every year and we hope to inspire others to create their own fundraising initiatives.”
The money raised by the sale goes to local charitable organizations to help those in need and fill the gaps in funding. This years sale raised a whopping $40,000 alone. “We are very fortunate that the annual Crayola sale can assist children, youth and adults in the City of Kawartha Lakes.” Murphy said.
90% of Canadians will access a United Way funded program in their lifetime according to Barton Dyke. After the government United Ways are the second largest funder of social services in Ontario with approximately 6.9 million invested in local programs since 1986. In addition the United Way has invested over $975,000 in community projects since 2005. 40 United Way garden plots help hundreds of people locally access fresh produce and improve food literacy.
To find out more about United Way go to http://ckl-unitedway.ca
For more information on Crayola Canada click here:http://www.crayola.ca
