In the Season of Giving, the Need is Never Greater

By Lyn Giles

Director of Fund Development

Five Counties Children’s Centre

The holidays are fast approaching, and with them come the demands placed on us for our time, money and attention. The demands are always great, but even more so in December.

Having worked in fundraising in our community for 25+ years, I know this is a crucial time to engage with donors for many non-profit organizations.

This year, the need is even greater with the rising costs of living – for both those giving and receiving donations. A survey commissioned by CanadaHelps puts this into perspective. According to CanadaHelps, 22 per cent of Canadians plan on using charitable services to meet essential needs like food, clothing and shelter (a jump of eight percentage points from a similar poll at the start of 2022). The same CnadaHelps poll finds 20 per cent of Canadians will reduce their charitable giving this year.

Appealing for support from a smaller group of donors is challenging for all charities, Five Counties Children’s Centre included. I’d like to share a few points – including a personal story – that may help you decide what fits best for your own situation.

For me, my role at Five Counties isn’t just a profession – it’s also a personal mission. I know firsthand the important work Five Counties does with children and their families because my own child got help here. As a former client, my child was fortunate in their younger years to work with an amazing therapist at Five Counties who helped improve their speech and language abilities. My child’s success in school is tied directly to the support they received here.

Knowing the success my child had at Five Counties, it’s crushing to see the need for services such as speech, physio and occupational therapy continuing to grow in our region. In 2021/2022, Five Counties served and supported 5,588 kids in Peterborough City-County, Northumberland County, City of Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton County. Currently, Five Counties has 2,516 children on its waiting list for therapy, with an average wait time of 18-24 months. Of these children, more than 90 per cent are waiting for speech and language therapy, as well as occupational therapy.

Seeing kids like my child, and others like David, Deacon, Talon and Alexa, benefit from Five Counties’ life-changing programs and services is heartwarming. Knowing the support they receive is helping them gain independence and enjoy better of quality of life encourages me as a mother and fundraiser.

This holiday season, the need has never been greater – in many homes and throughout our community. However you choose to help the kids and families at Five Counties, whether with your gifts of time or financial support, please know you have our heartfelt thanks in helping them build their abilities for life.

Category: Blog