United Way sets campaign goal to music

United Way West Central Manitoba officially kicked off its 2026 fundraising campaign Monday with a flag-raising ceremony at Brandon City Hall and an homage to a song from the 1980s.

The campaign chair, Coun. Tyson Tame, announced that this year’s fundraising goal is $867,530.90 — which refers to the 1981 song by American rock and power pop band Tommy Tutone.

“The reason for this is to get everyone really familiar with what this goal is,” Tame said in his speech at the ceremony. “I want people singing ‘867-5309’ every time they hear about United Way.”

The fall campaign, “Planting Possibilities,” was announced at an event on Sept. 2, which is also when the Brandon councillor for Ward 10 was revealed as chair.

“We’ve got a song, now let’s plant some possibilities,” Tame said.

Last year’s fundraising goal was $800,000, and while this year is noticeably more specific, he stressed that every cent counts.

“That 90 cents is important. Every single cent is important because this means more opportunities for kids … and a stronger network of people who are ready to respond when our neighbours need assistance,” he said.

In addition to the regular fall campaign, Tame announced his own twist on the fundraising challenge with something he’s calling “Tyson’s Rockin’ Roll Call Challenge.”

To expand the outreach of the annual campaign, Tyson’s Rockin’ Roll Call Challenge calls on 10 sectors in Brandon to participate and fundraise.

The local sectors are divided into construction and trades, health care and wellness, banking and finance, manufacturing and production, automotive transportation, education, government and public services, insurance and real estate, agriculture, retail and hospitality.

Each sector will have 100 spots in the challenge.

Each spot is worth $86.75 — or the first four digits of the song — and if a sector can fill its 100 spots, Tame said he will meet the donation with $309, to complete the seven-digit song title.

“You don’t need a title, you don’t need to be a business owner, you don’t need one of those big giant cheques — but we like those, too; keep those coming,” he joked. “But every little piece is important.”

If all spots are filled, the side challenge could raise up to $89,840 that will go to the United Way Future Empowering Young Adults (FEYA) program.

“I wanted something that was very specific to the FEYA program because that is something that for me is really my passion, is trying to get to young people,” Tame said.

“I needed that in my life. I needed someone to help me see what my potential was (and) to help build confidence in me. And so that’s what I want to do for others,” he said.

Cynamon Mychasiw, president and chief executive officer of United Way West Central Manitoba, applauded Tame’s innovation as chair.

“To have his little bit of fun with the Tommy Tutone and the goal and his rock and roll call challenge, it’s going to be a great year,” Mychasiw said in an interview after the announcement.

“I think it’s a really neat challenge and I think it’s really achievable because we’re not asking a huge amount out of anyone,” she said.

The campaign officially runs until the end of December, but Mychasiw said donations will be accepted until February 2027.

» rgerrard@brandonsun.com