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United Way of Greater Victoria campaign receives big boost

Navy base contribution down slightly from last year

The largest contributor to the United Way of Greater Victoria's annual fundraising campaign gave it a major shot in the arm this week.

With the newly constructed Navy Holiday Village lit up in the background at CFB Esquimalt, the Department of National Defence team shone a bright light on the annual workplace fundraising campaign, adding $555,000 to the 2013-14 regional total.

Cmdr. Luc Cassivi, base commander, gave kudos to organizers and volunteers for their efforts and noted the plus sign at the end of the total on the big cheque was to indicate "more to come."

"There was great participation across the formation and a lot of excitement generated throughout," he said.

The contribution from military and civilian personnel at the base and other defence-related workplaces helped push the overall United Way campaign total just over the 80 per cent mark toward the $6-million goal, said United Way interim CEO Heather Gardiner.

"We're just tickled pink," she said of this year's DND donation, down slightly from last year's $607,000 contribution.

"To have one group come around and raise that kind of money is just an amazing feat. They're just such an amazing part of our community."

As for hitting the regional goal, Gardiner said the organization remains very hopeful. "We're not done yet; there's still campaigns running. We get news in every day."

She encouraged anyone thinking about donating and receiving a tax credit for 2013 to check out the website at uwgv.ca, call 250-385-6708 or stop by the United Way office at 1144 Fort St.