Yes, they knew Ancaster was the wealthiest community in Greater Hamilton and a wonderful place to live.

But they didn’t realize the extent to which Ancaster residents rely on services provided by United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton.

When they became aware of the needs, however, the Ciancones stepped forward to cochair the 2008 Ancaster United Way Community Campaign Team.

“We are proud to join a group of our neighbours who support United Way and the wonderful programs it helps fund,” said Mrs. Ciancone. “Like them, we believe an investment in United Way is a great investment in the people of Ancaster.”

Mr. Ciancone heartily agrees. “Many of us didn’t fully recognize the needs of the Ancaster community. Now we know that a United Way contribution is money invested in Ancaster. Lives are changed, lives are enriched,” he said

In 2007, United Way invested more than $4.75 million in more than 134 programs and services at 77 agencies. And many of those services were provided in Ancaster.

The needs may surprise some people. In 2007, nearly 3,498 individuals and families from Ancaster accessed a United Way funded service. That included 1,436 seniors, 1,623 children and 34 families.

Some 1,400 Ancaster residents are living at or below the poverty line.

More than 175 of them are seniors, the majority of them women.

Nearly one-fifth of children 14 years old and under are growing up in single-parent families

Some of the programs and services accessed by Ancaster residents included:

• An assisted volunteer driving program, which supports seniors by offering them the ability to keep medical or social appointments and maintain a healthy and independent lifestyle –a program offered by Ancaster Community Services.

• A personal and home support program, which identifies and supports seniors who require personal and/or home support to enable them to remain independent in the community –a program offered by St. Joseph’s Home Care.

• Counselling programs for youth experiencing concerns related to their own or family substance abuse –offered by Alternatives for Youth.

United Way is a major funder, not a charity. Other than the federal and provincial governments, United Way of Burlington and Greater Hamilton is the largest funder of social and health-related services in our area.