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Goderich Signal Star, 2017-03-15, Page 1212 Signal Star • Wednesday, March 15, 2017 United Way Perth -Huron on pace to miss fundraising goal by about $100,000 United Way Air hopes for "sweet ending" Terry Bridge Postmedia Network At its current pace, the red thermometer may not fill all the way up this year. With less than a month remaining in its annual fun- draising campaign, United Way Perth -Huron appears to be coming up short of its goal by about $100,000. The local not-for-profit set a tar- get of $1,337,000 last fall, but so far only $1,129,000 has been collected which pro- jects to $1,225,000. That would be about $1,000 less than last year. The shortfall is primarily due to workplace campaigns being down this Year, explained executive director Ryan Erb. "That's a significant part of it," he said. "There's always ebbs and flows in manufac- turing and other places where there's more employ- ees or less employees or some transitions. And so some of that has caught up with us this year." But there's 'still time to turn it around. To help miti- gate a potential shortage, the local United Way has launched a campaign called Sweeter Ending with Strat- ford's Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. New March donations will receive a chocolate or gift basket depending on the size, and the largest monetary gift of the month will win a free two-hour private tasting party. "That's going to be a lot of ,fun," Erb said of the new partnership. "We're looking forward to getting some help over the next few weeks." Rocky Mountain Choco- late Factory owner Dan McPhee said they consist- ently receive fundraising requests with United Way connections. "We thought, well, why don't we do something directly," McPhee said. He also keeps a close eye on the progress of the cam- paign thermometer located just a few steps away from his Downie Street shop. "A lot of times we just step out there with customers who are coming in, see how things are going," McPhee, 50, said. "That's what we're trying to help out with." United Way Perth -Huron stretched for a higher goal this year - last year it raised about $1,226,000 - of eight per cent in order to support new community programs. It's time for a Second Opinion on your investments. If you've ever wondered whether you're on track to reach your financial goals, it's time to consider a Second Opinion. Whatever your. goals are, I can provide you with a customized financial plan to help you reach them with confidence. Contact me today for a complimentary Second Opinion. Ron Howson, PFP Scotiabank Investment Specialist 519-619-9319 ronald.howson@scotiabank.com You're richer than you think: r Scotiabank ® Registered trademarks of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under licence. Scotiabank includes The Bank of Nova Scotia and its subsidiaries and affiliates, including Scolia Securities Inc. M used in this document, 'Scotiabank Investment Specialist" refers to a Scotia Securities Inc. mutual fund representative or, in Quebec, a Group Savings Plan Dealer Representative. Scotia Securities Inc. is a member of the Mutual Fund Dealers Association. Scott Wishart/Postmedia Network File United Way Perth -Huron executive director Ryan Erb says their fundraising campaign is on pace to miss its goal by about $100,000. In order to avoid a shortfall, which would mean two new programs wouldn't receive funding, United Way has partnered with Stratford's Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory on a campaign called Sweeter Ending. Two of the targets were: expand service at the John Howard Society of London and District to help reinte- grate inmates from the Strat- ford jail back into society, and to help immigrants and other new residents settle into the area through the local centre for employment and Teaming. "With the number of new Syrian families and other newcomers arriving all the time in our region, we felt there needed to be more support services in the com- munity," Erb said. The centre already offers English as a second lan- guage courses, but it needed more staff time to provide basic settlement services. The John Howard Society program, meanwhile, didn't have enough capacity to support all inmates. Failing to meet this year's fundrais- ing target would mean no funding for these two programs. Erb said that would be disappointing. "It's been identified as a priority," he said. "Frankly, I know the need firsthand having worked as a volunteer with one of the newcomer families and also just seeing the results that happen when people exit the Stratford jail if they don't have the support services in place, unfortunately sometimes they end up reentering or reoffending." At the very least, not meet- ing last year's goal will force difficult decisions on allocat- ing funds to current support partners and the United Way's expenses, Erb said. "So we want to make sure we can at least get that far," he said of last year's total. The 2016 campaign started publicly in Septem- ber and concludes March 31. Established in 1959, the local United Way currently sup- ports 47 programs. Dona- tions can be made by calling 519-271-7730, visiting the office on 32 Erie St. or online at perthhuron.unitedway.ca. Calf tests positive for rabies in Huron County The Huron County Healthy Unit been notified that a calf from the Blyth area submitted for testing on February 27, 2017 was posi- tive for the rabies virus. The Ontario Ministry of Agricul- ture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) is working with the farmer and veterinarian to implement a Precaution- ary Confinement Period (PCP) for the other cattle that were in the group with the infected animal. The Health Unit would like to take this opportunity to remind the public to avoid contact with wild animals and ensure their pets are immunized against rabies. Dogs and cats often get into fights with wild animals. If you witness a fight, or if your dog or cat comes home with injuries from a fight and you believe it may have been bitten or scratched by a rabid animal: Do not directly handle your pet as there may be fresh saliva from a rabid ani- mal on its coat; wear gloves and wash your hands afterwards, Isolate your pet; and, Contact your local veterinarian Help control the spread of the rabies virus by being a responsible pet owner. Make sure that all dogs and cats, including those in the barn, are vaccinated against rabies. Pet owners in Huron County are required by law (Regulation 567/90) to have all cats and dogs three months of age or over immu- nized against rabies. To reduce the risk of being bitten by a rabid animal avoid handling any wild, unknown or stray animals. Parents are encouraged to teach their children to stay away from any animal they do not know. If you see a baby animal that appears to be orphaned, leave it alone. Chances are its mother is nearby. The possible danger to you outweighs the good you might do for the animal. Notify the nearest animal control agency or humane society branch instead. If you or someone in your fam- ily makes direct contact with an animal that may have rabies, seek medical atten- tion immediately.