Our Story
The United Way was born from the idea that we can do more together than we can apart. The United Way concept in Lethbridge & South Western Alberta has roots dating back to as early as 1941 when it began as the Community Chest.
The Community Chest was organized by a group of citizens in effort to curb the multiplicity of requests for funds which came after the outbreak of the Second World War.
Early in the war, Lethbridge Mayor D. H. Elton called a meeting of representatives from active fundraising organizations and groups who needed funds. The goal was to save time, energy and money by running one strong fundraising campaign together. The Community Chest was off to a good start, raising $56,067 in its first year.
Fast forward 75 years. Although the needs have changed, our goal has not. We want to see a thriving community where every individual, child and family has the resources to succeed.
The United Way of Lethbridge & South Western Alberta is one of nearly 100 United Ways in Canada. Together, we are Canada’s local community-builders - one movement, but hyper local, making local issues like poverty and social isolation in our communities unignorable.
Our aim is to alleviate the conditions of the most vulnerable today, and also to change the trajectory for tomorrow and make a difference with real impact on local lives.
