NEW ULM — Each year the United Way of Brown County area works to raise funding for multiple causes throughout the eight-city county area. While those programs are still in full swing, this year is exceptionally different. With the need growing from the displacement of businesses and individuals due to COVID-19, something big needs to be done.

When Lori Pickell-Stangel, Executive Director of the United Way of Brown County Area was approached by Andrea Gehrke of Twin River Design, with the idea to create a “community funding funnel,” she knew immediately that the idea would be on the fast track to becoming the local disaster relief fund. The United Way board agreed to the idea, and TipJar was launched.

“This has gone so much farther than we thought it would. Just this last weekend we received one single donation in the amount of $5000.” Gehrke said. “This community has never fallen short on support for needs, but this is incredibly uplifting in a time when hope is essential.”

All funds donated to the United Way, through TipJar, during the social distancing and closure of our local businesses due to COVID 19 will go to Brown County non-profits that provide relief and assistance to individuals in the areas of health and basic needs. It is the goal of Twin River Design and the United Way to ensure that every person is connected to the resources they need, when they need them.

This initiative has raised a good amount in the last two weeks, but this is just the start to what will be needed to revitalize area towns.

“We came up with this program for those who truly were not comfortable patronizing businesses in person. This option is perfect for someone who would love to get takeout from a local restaurant or shop a local store, but will not due to risk factors. Through TipJar people can ‘spend’ some of the money they would have spent in the form of a donation,” Gehrke said.

To help, visit www.tipjarbrowncounty.org and click the donate button. Please consider what you may have spent on a night out on the town, on a new outfit, or on a movie and popcorn, and give accordingly.

“We are all in this together, and it is by coming together that we can come out of it, stronger, more connected and with an ever more vibrant local economy,” Gehrke said.

You can also learn more about the United Way of Brown County Area at https://www.unitedwaybrowncountyarea.org/ or on their Facebook Page. To learn more about how to give, email Andrea at twinriverdesign@outlook.com or Lori at director@unitedwaybrowncountyarea.org.