United Way Central Alberta (UWCA) officially launched its 2024 fundraising campaign at their Campaign Kickoff Luncheon, presented by Johnston Ming Manning LLP, and held at the Red Deer Resort & Casino on September 12th. The event gathered campaign leaders, partner agencies, and community supporters to celebrate the beginning of the campaign season, with a shared goal of building thriving communities across Central Alberta.

“We believe in the power of united action to solve complex social challenges and create lasting change,” said Chelsea O’Donoghue, CEO of United Way Central Alberta. “Together, we can help people thrive by ensuring access to Basic Needs, increasing access to Mental Health services, and creating Brighter Futures for Central Albertans.”

O’Donoghue highlighted that over 38,860 Central Albertans are currently facing barriers to accessing essential Basic Needs. With 1 in 5 individuals facing mental health challenges this year, the need for suitable mental health services is also critical. Additionally, 12.7% of children and youth in the region live in low-income households, while 40% of seniors live with disabilities, further emphasizing the importance of targeted community support.

“Your support is changing local lives,” O’Donoghue emphasized, and attendees heard from Client Ambassadors Dani and Des, whose stories demonstrated the powerful impact that community support can have. “They represent two of the more than 12,171 individuals and families who benefited from the 23 programs and projects funded by local dollars last year. And that doesn’t include the 22 additional charities we invested in through federal funding to build resilience in our communities.”

O’Donoghue thanked Leadership Matching Challenge Sponsors, Warren Sinclair LLP, and Canadian Tire North & South Red Deer for their ongoing support, noting that new leadership donations of $1,200 or more would be matched this year, doubling their impact.

The 2024 campaign features several community events, including the inaugural Kick Off 5K Run on September 22, the ever-popular UW Whisky Classic Tasting event on November 7, and multiple Days of Caring volunteer initiatives, Basic Needs drives, and workplace fundraising events throughout the fall.

United Way Central Alberta’s 2024 campaign has already received a significant boost, with over $100,000 raised. “This is a community effort,” said United Way Central Alberta Board Vice Chair, Doug Doran. “We’re already off to a great start, and I encourage everyone to get involved, share what they’ve learned, and support our mission to make Central Alberta a place where everyone can reach their potential.”

For more information please contact:
Chelsea O’Donoghue, CEO, United Way Central Alberta 403.347.0513
[email protected]

News release from Alberta RCMP

RCMP in Red Deer are asking the community to be alert and speak to your children about conversations they may have had with a male in his seventies who may have been attempting to lure kids into his residence with candy.

On Aug. 10, 2024, Red Deer RCMP received a report that an older male had offered candy to a number of child victims, invited them into his apartment, and then sexually assaulted them. This type of interaction reportedly occurred on several different occasions with different children.

RCMP have charged 71-year-old Red Deer resident Terry Haskell with:

• Sexual interference with a minor under the age of 16;
• Sexual assault of a child under the age of 16;
• Invitation to sexual touching;
• Indecent acts;
• Breach of probation (x2).

Haskell was taken before a Justice of the Peace and remanded into custody with his next court date set for Dec 14, 2024, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Red Deer.

“Given the nature of the allegations, we believe there are other victims who may be afraid to talk about it. As the accused is currently in custody, we want to give others the opportunity to come forward and assure them they are safe to talk to us, that we will follow up on the information they provide, and we will connect them with the resources they need to get through this” says Sergeant Gary Kroeker of Red Deer RCMP Serious Crimes General Investigation Section. 

The individual is currently in custody, and poses no threat to public safety at this time. If you hear discussions between children about a male in his 70s with the moniker “candyman”, who says he is in his 30s, offering them candy, and asking for children’s phone numbers, or believe your child may have been involved in an incident related to Haskell, please contact the Red Deer RCMP immediately at 403-406-2200.