Despite uncertainties about how the second year of the pandemic would impact its campaign in 2021, the United Way Pembina Valley President feels they wrapped up the year on a high note.

"We were very pleased with the amount that we were able to raise," said President Kim Nelson. "Our campaign brought in $121,600, which we consider success in a time when we couldn't be out promoting United Way Pembina Valley," Nelson said of that total, nearly $114, 000 was given out to local non-profits. "We were able to grant to twenty non-profits that are doing some great work within our community."

In addition, $7,500 in scholarships and bursaries will be given to graduates of Garden Valley Collegiate, Northland Parkway Collegiate, and Morden Collegiate Institute this June.

Meanwhile, Nelson said it's exciting to see the potential of what the United way of the Pembina Valley can do for the cities of Winkler and Morden.

She added the board is looking forward to the possibility of some in-person events later in the year. "We are hoping to be able to do a summer activity, and for our kick-off in September, we want it to be a public event of some sort. Some of those details are just in the planning stages now as we come out of the pandemic...it's exciting for us."

Nelson added, "We’d like to thank the residents of the Pembina Valley for their support of the United Way. Their generosity allows us to provide vital funding to so many worthy projects and programs making a difference in our community. We couldn’t do this without you.”