Maurice Rollins steps up again for United Way Hastings & Prince Edward

Maurice Rollins, local business icon and philanthropist adds a big boost to the United Way HPE fundraising efforts.  In 2008 Rollins created the Maurice Rollins Leadership Challenge matching all new donations made at the leadership level ($1200 or more) dollar for dollar.  The challenge has grown from $25,000 match in the initial years to this year’s $125,000 match.

In an effort to encourage giving during the pandemic, Rollins has expanded the program to include Friends of United Way. The newly branded Maurice Rollins Friends & Leaders Challenge will match new leadership gifts as he traditionally has, and will now also match new donations of $500 or more at $.50 on the dollar.

“Mr. Rollins’ generosity has leveraged over $2 million in giving over the last 11 years” said Brandi Hodge, Executive Director, United Way HPE. “This year we are especially grateful that he not only committed $125,000 personally to this challenge, but factored in the precarious year we are in by expanding the program. Donors who would like to see their gift matched are encouraged to call us for more information or visit our website,” said Hodge.

Inspector Sheri Meeks of Belleville Police Service was named as the United Way HPE Campaign Chair in September. “Last year we exceeded our goal of $1.95 million and those funds supported 41 agencies and 62 programs—we know this year the need will be higher so we need everyone’s help to raise as much as we can,”  explained Meeks. “We committed to keeping the community very well informed of how the campaign is tracking this year using last year as a benchmark.  We’re proud to say that as of September 28th, United Way Hastings & Prince Edward has just crossed the $400,000 mark.”

Last year at this time, the organization was at $436,000. “We are tracking slightly behind where we were last year at this time, however, with the cancellation of our three major events over the course of the spring and summer, that’s to be expected,” said Hodge.  “We’re happy with where we are but we have a long way to go. It’s a little early to identify any trends, but we’ll continue to update everyone as often as possible—this community is phenomenal. Let’s see what we can do.”