The United Way of Central Alberta has kicked off this year’s fundraising campaign under the theme of ‘Join the Movement’.

“We’re asking people to get others involved,” said this year’s campaign chair Lars Rogers at the campaign launch luncheon Sept. 15 at the Ca-pri Hotel.

“The more people that join the movement, the easier it is for us to help the one in three Central Albertans who use United Way agency’s services.”

More than 500 people came together to kick-start the campaign at the luncheon with keynote speaker Roger Breault.

This year’s campaign goal is $2 million, which will go to help support more than 30 local agencies and programs across the region.

With two years as campaign chair in B.C. and five years on the board in Central Alberta, Rogers’ call to action is for people to come together in creative new ways to ensure no one is left behind as we make our communities stronger than ever.

“We’re very excited,” he said about this year’s energetic start to the initiative. “We have an active, energetic theme that will get people in the mood to help us jump-start the campaign.”

He added that of Sept.15 there was more than $100,000 worth of do-nations commitments already.

“It’s given the campaign a really good start towards the $2 million campaign. We think we are bringing a lot of energy to the campaign where we can achieve that target,” he said.

His past experience working on United Way campaigns in both B.C. and locally bodes him well for taking it by the reigns this year.

“I really understand how the United Way works and how important it is to the community and to the member agencies.”

For more information about the United Way of Central Alberta, call 403-343-3900 or visit www.caunitedway.ca.