Leeds & Grenville – The United Way Leeds & Grenville (UWLG) celebrated its 2025 campaign, Hope Starts with You, with their annual Volunteer Breakfast on Thursday, April 23 at the Cedar Valley Golf & Country Club.
The sold-out event brought together over 125 supporters, community leaders, volunteers, and agency partners, all united by one shared mission: to build a more compassionate and resilient Leeds & Grenville.
“Volunteerism is alive and well in Leeds & Grenville, and at United Way we’re deeply grateful for the continued support from our community,” said UWLG Board Chair, Ian McFall. Hailie Jack, Executive Director adds “What makes this work so powerful is the connection between the people who give their time and the agencies delivering critical services. Today is about celebrating not only the impact of our funded partners, but also the volunteers who make that impact possible every single day.”
The morning featured keynote speaker Wendy Galloway, Employment Services Manager at Career Services and recipient of the Lifetime Volunteer Achievement Award from the Brockville & District Chamber of Commerce.
United Way Leeds & Grenville also presented its 2025 Volunteer Awards, recognizing individuals and workplaces that demonstrated exceptional leadership, generosity, and community spirit.
Chairs Cups were presented to organizations that led the way in their sectors through successful United Way Workplace Campaigns, while individual and special recognition awards honoured those who went above and beyond in their commitment to making a difference.
Award recipients included:
- Chairs Cup – Finance: RBC
- Chairs Cup – Industrial: Canarm LTD
- Chairs Cup – Public Service: Ministry of Children and Youth Ontario Public Sector Workplace Charitable Campaign
- Chairs Cup – Health & Social Service: Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services Ontario Public Sector
- Rural Strong Award: INVISTA Maitland
- Gord Brown Memorial Award: Bruce Wylie
- Unsung Hero Award: Bev Heuving
- Wave of Hope Award: Homelife DLK Real Estate
United Way also celebrated its 2026/2027 funded community partners.
Through the Community Investment Fund, United Way supports a wide range of essential programs and services across Leeds & Grenville—addressing critical needs such as food security, mental health, housing, and support for children and youth.
2026/2027 Funded Partners & Programs:
- Aaron’s MILL – DIFA – Do It for Aaron: Music Instrument Lending Library
- Beth Donovan Hospice – Caregiver Expansion: Men’s Grief & Grub
- Boys and Girls Club South East – Mentoring Program
- Country Roads Community Health Centre – Meals to Go
- Connect Youth – Core Program
- Family & Children Services of Lanark, Leeds & Grenville – Family Counselling
- Family & Children Services of Lanark, Leeds & Grenville – Summer Camp
- Gananoque Food Bank – School Weekend Bundles Program
- Girls Inc – Strong, Smart & Bold
- Kemptville Youth Centre – Afterschool Drop-In Program
- Lanark, Leeds Grenville Addictions & Mental Health – Pathways to Purpose Leeds Grenville
- Leeds & Grenville Interval House – Children’s Programming
- QueenCare – It’s a Mom Thing: Better Together Weekly Group
- RNJ Youth Services – Connections
- Rideau Valley Conservation Authority – Out to Learn
- Senior Community Services – Nourish North Grenville
- Senior Support Services Lanark Leeds Grenville – Leeds Grenville Subsidy Program
- Socks 4 Souls – Clean Socks for LG Unhoused
- Thousand Islands Playhouse – Youth Company Engagement Initiative
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