The United Way Pembina Valley has wrapped up its latest fundraising campaign by distributing $110,733 to support community organizations in the Morden and Winkler region. This total includes $103,233 in direct grants to 23 non-profit groups, with an additional $7,500 set aside for student scholarships to be awarded in late June.
The funding announcement was celebrated at a ceremony held at the Central Station Community Centre in Winkler, with the Morden Chamber of Commerce sharing details of the community support. Levi Taylor, president of the regional organization, described the results as a very successful year for the charity, which was formed in 2021 following the merger of the separate Morden and Winkler United Way groups.
Several local organizations in Morden received funding to support specific community projects. The Morden Family Resource Centre was granted $4,000 for rent and insurance, while the Morden Community Handi-van received $3,500 to go toward the purchase of a new vehicle. Other recipients included Youth for Christ Morden, which received $3,400 for a backyard revitalization project; the Morden Imagination Library, which was granted $3,000 to help launch its program; and the Morden Activity Centre, which received $1,911.40 for a desktop computer and televisions. Additionally, the 500 Stephen Street Community Centre and the Many Hands Resource Centre received $9,700 and $8,900 respectively.
In Winkler, the Central Station Community Centre received $9,100 to support the second year of its poverty reduction and well-being plan. This initiative aims to engage local working groups to create stability for the most vulnerable residents in the community.
The financial support arrives as Morden continues to see rapid growth. According to Statistics Canada, Morden is the fastest-growing city in Manitoba, reaching a population of 9,929 by the time of the 2021 Census. Current Mayor Nancy Penner, who has served as the city’s leader since December 2023, has frequently highlighted the importance of these organizations to the well-being of local residents.
