Portage Plains United Way's Annual General Meeting was yesterday in Portage la Prairie.

2016 saw $232,000 raised by the non-profit organization which was given back to their member agencies throughout the community. Despite being unable to reach their set goal of $247,000, board President Kaitlyn McDermid says they still were able to help out a lot with what they raised.

"We saw a lot of growth with our corporate donations and a lot of growth at our golf tournament. We changed the look of it this year and I feel it will just grow even more next year. It was also Mandy Dubois second campaign, so we feel she's really got her feet wet and knows what she's doing, and we feel like she's off to a great start for 2017."

President Kaitlyn McDermid giving her report at Monday's AGM. (Photo by Aaron Wilgosh)

Executive Director Mandy Dubois says they really worked at the organization's financial situation in 2016, and it's going to pay off in the long term.

"We really made strides to restructure and become more stable, to ensure we'll be present in the Portage Plains community for a long time to come, so that's a huge accomplishment. But I do take it personally not hitting the campaign goal last year, and we didn't come close, but I hit my first year and it kind of just became my standard."

She says things that may have worked the first year maybe they didn't work as well last year, but they're adding a new face to the team with loads of experience.

"We're excited to be having someone new joining our organization. We've hired Sarah Herrebout, and she'll be starting with us May 1st as the event coordinator. She's familiar with the role, the community, and the events, so that gives me hope for 2017," adds Dubois.

Executive Director Mandy Dubois addressing the members at the AGM. (Photo by Aaron Wilgosh)

McDermid says they'll try to expand with workplace donations and a lot of public education.

"Letting the public know what the United Way does and how we help our member agencies, and what our impact is on the community. We're looking forward to a big 2017."

"We came out of the year with some successes," adds Dubois. "They may not be the visible ones the community can see like hitting the campaign goal, but the successes in our financials at the end of the year is a huge accomplishment to me."

Allocation to Member Agencies:
$35,000 - Big Brothers Big Sisters of Portage
$20,000 - Canadian Mental Health Association
$2,500 - Canadian National Institute for the Blind
$27,000 - Child and Family Services
$3,500 - Compassionate Friends
$10,000 - Sunset Palliative Care
$3,500 - Multiple Sclerosis Society
$25,000 - Portage Family Abuse and Prevention
$8,000 - Portage Learning and Literacy Centre
$35,000 - Portage Service For Seniors
$10,000 - ROK - Recreation Opportunities For Kids
$10,550 - Special Allocations
$35,000 - Tupper Street Family Resource Centre