United Way Halton Hamilton adds $337,000 to the 2026 target of

By Gazette Staff

February 23, 2026

BURLINGTON, ON

United Way Halton & Hamilton’s Sleepless For Our Community raised over $337,000 for Local Support providing critical support for local programs that help people experiencing poverty and housing insecurity across Halton and Hamilton.

Held overnight on February 20, 2026, Sleepless For Our Community brought together individuals, families, workplace teams, and community leaders who spent the night sleeping in their vehicles as an act of solidarity. Participants raised vital funds to strengthen a network of local supports that help community members facing financial hardship, housing instability, and food insecurity.

Funds raised through Sleepless For Our Community will help United Way–supported programs that provide housing stabilization, food security, employment readiness, financial literacy, and wraparound supports for individuals and families navigating poverty. These investments help ensure people have access to stability, dignity, and pathways toward a more secure future.

Brad Park, President & CEO of United Way Halton & Hamilton. “This is about now.”

“The need in our community continues to grow, and it’s showing up in every corner of Halton and Hamilton,” said Brad Park, President & CEO of United Way Halton & Hamilton. “The funds raised through Sleepless For Our Community will help strengthen the social supports that our most vulnerable neighbours rely on. Supports that can mean the difference between crisis and stability.”

Park added, “This event is about acting now. When people are struggling to afford rent, put food on the table, or keep their families housed, timely support matters. Thanks to the generosity of this community, we’re able to invest in programs that respond to immediate needs while also addressing the root causes of poverty.”

United Way Halton & Hamilton also extends sincere gratitude to a very generous local philanthropic family who graciously matched all funds raised over $150,000, significantly amplifying the impact of the community’s generosity and helping ensure even more people can access critical supports when they need them most.

Beyond fundraising, Sleepless For Our Community plays an important role in raising awareness about the realities of poverty in the region. Rising costs, housing pressures, and food insecurity continue to push more individuals and families into difficult situations, underscoring the importance of community-driven solutions.

“Events like Sleepless For Our Community remind us that poverty is not an abstract issue. It affects real people, right here at home,” said Park. “This community showed up with compassion and action, and the impact of that generosity will be felt across our network of local agencies and programs.”

Fundraising continues through to March 2, 2026.