Chris Puglia
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 18/02) - The United Way kicked off in Yellowknife on Wednesday with a pancake breakfast at the firehall and the promise to help those in need.

One of United Way's focuses will be helping to raise money to alleviate poverty.

Roslyn Smith is the president of the newly formed United Way Yellowknife Chapter. - Chris Puglia/NNSL photo

"There is greater disparity between the 'haves' and the 'have-nots' although we hear about an economic boom," said Roslyn Smith, president of the United Way.

The entry of the United Way marks the formation of the fifth organization in the city raising money for the community.

In addition to United Way, there is also the Elks Lodge, Kiwanis, Royal Canadian Legion, and the Rotary Club.

Kevin Laframboise, executive director of the Side Door Youth Centre, is pleased the United Way are here.

"It means that there will be more funding to go around.

A lot of the service agencies that are in the community are overwhelmed by requests.

The United Way will become another resource in the community," he said.

Lyda Fuller, executive director of the YWCA, said they are working hard to support the United Way.

"I think it's great. When I moved to Yellowknife six years ago it was the first time in my entire life I haven't had a payroll deduction for the United Way," said Fuller.

One of the fundraising campaigns of the United Way is payroll deductions.

Employees fill out a form and agree to have a set amount taken off each pay cheque by the employer and forwarded monthly to the organization.

Although the YWCA is eligible for United Way funding, Fuller said they will not be applying for it this year.

"I am going to be a partner agency member. I think there are organization that need money more than the YWCA does," she said.

"I'll certainly work during the campaign to spread the word about the United Way."