Matching donor steps up for ShareLife

ShareLife has secured a matching donor to help spur contributions in the last two months of the campaign that supports over 40 Catholic social service agencies. 

“Anything (raised) between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31 will be matched up to a million dollars,” said Arthur Peters, ShareLife’s executive director and the archdiocese’s director of development. “We hope that will encourage support for the campaign, not only (among) those who have not given yet, but from those who have given reduced amounts this year because of the economy or personal reasons, whatever the case may be, (who) may consider giving a bit extra.”

As of  Oct 24, the parish drive has raised $10,834,700, which represents 79 per cent of the $13.8-million goal organizers outlined for 2022. The Archdiocese of Toronto’s charitable appeal accrued a record $13.9 million haul in 2021. 

Peters characterizes the status of the campaign to date as positive. 

“Considering the state of the economy and we’re still coming out of the pandemic, it’s a positive result,” he said. “At the same time, this year we have allocated $2 million more to our agencies, so we need to continue to encourage support until the end of the year.

“We have had a lot of challenges in the last couple of years with the pandemic, the economy and with some people losing their jobs. Inflation, as we all know, has been a significant issue this year, but we are still having a positive result with this campaign. That speaks to the generosity of the parishioners in the Archdiocese of Toronto. They recognize the needs in the greater community and their donations are important to that.”

Along with the boost of a matching donor, Peters says history shows the campaign might receive a late burst in donations as many parishioners opted to make their financial gifts in the fall during the two pandemic years. 

ShareLife funds are allocated to agencies supporting seniors, children and youth, young parents, immigrants and refugees and people with special needs, among other vulnerable populations. 

“A lot of people turned to our family agencies for help during the pandemic,” said Peters. “Maybe they needed counselling in a family (that) may be experiencing domestic violence. Or maybe they need counseling in being in an environment where they had to balance their work life and their child’s needs at the same time when school was virtual.”

Visit sharelife.org for more details about the campaign.