United Way is attacking poverty, specifically when it affects children, throughout the Okanagan.
On Nov. 14, the Central and South Okanagan Similkameen United Way in Kelowna and North Okanagan United Way in Vernon launched the joint Give It Up 4 Kids campaign. The campaign runs until Dec. 13, which is also the date of the CSOS United Wayās 65th anniversary.
United Way is aiming to raise $65,000 with the Give it up 4 Kids campaign between the branches by utilizing social media.
āItās getting people to post on their Facebook and Twitter feeds and challenge others to take up the cause,ā described CSOS United Way executive director Shelley Gilmore.
āThe idea is what are you going to give up in your everyday life that could make a difference for a child living in poverty? Examples would be $5 for a latte, $10 for a movie night out.
āWould you give that up to make sure a kid has a meal, that they have a safe and warm place to live?ā
Donations can be made by texting āgiveitup4kidsā to 20222.
Once a donation is made, the social media aspect of the campaign kicks in.
Donors are challenged to take a selfie photo with what they gave up, then post it on social media and challenge five or more friends to do the same thing.
āWe had a leftover takeaway container here in the office,ā Gilmore explained.
āOne worker gave up going out for lunch, so took a picture with the container to represent the lunch. I gave up dinner out, so I used the same takeout container.
āThe reality probably is Iām not going to avoid going out for dinner, but Iām making a conscious effort that for $25, which is the value of going out for dinner, Iām helping a child who doesnāt have breakfast, doesnāt have snacks, may not have a place to live.ā
By working together, the two Okanagan-based United Way branches are trying to show the entire Okanagan Valley and all of its residents they can and will make a difference for children living in poverty.
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