UPEI Panthers host United Way Day February 14

UPEI Athletics and Recreation will host “United Way Day” on Friday, February 14, when the UPEI Basketball Panthers compete against the Memorial University Sea-Hawks at the Chi-Wan Young Sports Centre, with the women’s game at 6:00 pm and the men’s game at 8:00 pm. This event intends to shine a light on the important work United Way does to support communities across the Island.

“The United Way of PEI is thrilled to be partnering with UPEI Athletics and Recreation for the second year in a row for the upcoming ‘United Way Day’,” said Treena Smith, Senior Executive Director of the United Way of PEI. “The UPEI Panthers and United Way of PEI both care deeply about our communities, and we love seeing the Panthers stepping up for another year to support our work in this meaningful way. UPEI student-athletes understand that just like a team working towards a common goal, it is going to take all of us coming together, uniting, to solve the tough issues facing our communities.”

Basketball fans will have a chance to enter a 50/50 draw, with tickets for sale at the United Way table in the sports centre lobby. The winner will be announced during halftime of the men’s game. Online donations can also be made at the table by scanning a QR code that can also be found on game programs.

The United Way of PEI has been proudly serving Islanders and Island communities since 1962. The United Way’s priority areas include food security, housing and homelessness, mental health and addictions, domestic violence, success in school, and social inclusion. The organization currently provides 13 local charities with funding for programs that help thousands of Islanders each year.

One of the United Way’s Funded Partners, Big Brothers Big Sisters PEI, a non-profit organization supported by the United Way of PEI will be there to collect donations of books, board games, art supplies, puzzles, and colouring books at the door in support of their teen mentoring program. The item collection is spearheaded by student-athlete Lydia Hamill, UPEI Women’s Soccer Panthers.

Big Brothers Big Sisters offers the teen mentoring program matches elementary school children with teen mentors weekly throughout the school year, providing the opportunity for participants to build confidence and form new positive, healthy relationships. The program helps encourage achievement at school while engaging in a variety of fun and educational activities. More information about the program can be found at Big Brothers Big Sisters PEI – Teen Mentoring Program."