In 2017 the Morden United Way gave back $70,520, down slightly from last year's almost $78,000.

Though they did not reach their target goal, President Alex Fedorchuk says they are still happy to provide financial aid to local organizations.

"It varies from year to year," notes Fedorchuk. "Sometimes when we expect a big year it doesn't quite materialize and in other years it's better than we expected."

In total, 23 agencies were assisted last year, which was fewer than in 2016. Fedorchuk says this is due to a number of reasons, mainly that fewer agencies required the same financial aid they did the year prior.

United Way's goal is to assist local organizations first, giving financial aid to groups such as Youth for Christ, South Central Cancer Resource, and Pembina Valley Pregnancy Care. Secondly, money is given to Provincial agencies and thirdly National efforts such as Red Cross.

The groups own events; Coats for Kids and Skate with Santa continue to be a success. A few hundred articles of winter wear were collected for new Canadians, which were not used to the cold climate, and over 170 kids skated alongside Santa.

There have been a number of changes to the organization over the years, the inclusion of a new event, a Tractor Pull and Calcutta and a new approach to their campaign.

Fedorchuk explains in previous years they had taken a door-to-door approach with their Annual Campaign, however, it occurred to them that most of the houses they would have already been supporting them through their mail campaign.

Taking a different angle, the board wanted to try something new, a payroll deduction plan. Approaching local businesses the United Way explained the situation.

"If they would deduct automatically from their employees and simply give them a T4 at the end of the year, it is kind of a painless accumulative way of doing it."

One of the pitches Fedorchuk gave was if every employee gave 50 cents a pay, that would generate another $15,000.

Looking forward to the rest of 2018, Fedorchuk says they are optimistic.

One of the goals for this year is to include the Police Service and Fire Department in the Tractor Pull. Having them compete in a friendly Police versus Firefighter competition.