United Way invites businesses to ‘Raise Your Hand’
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NEW ULM -- United Way of Brown County is inviting the public to "Raise Your Hand" and join in their latest fundraising campaign.
On Tuesday, Oct. 3, United Way will be hosting its latest campaign kick-off at Turner Hall. United Way executive director Sandra Juni said this kickoff event is a change from their typical fundraising campaign. In the past, United Way would change the campaign theme each year, but this time they have decided to continue the "Raise Your Hand" theme for three years.
Juni said the idea behind "Raise Your Hand" is it is something anyone can do. Anyone can raise their hand. A person can raise their hand to volunteer, raise a hand to be a donor or raise a United Way's Day of Caring.
"There are so many ways you can raise your hand to be a benefit to our community," Juni said. The goal of the campaign, and all United Way campaigns is to involve the community in a collective effort towards a better future.
The campaign kick-off on Oct. 3 is also the kick for United Way's new Business 360 program. This program is replacing the former Business Blitz program. Juni explained in other years, United Way members would spend one day going door-to-door to all the local businesses to seek donations, but in the last few years, this blitz was not as successful.
This year it was decided instead of going to the businesses, United Way would bring the businesses to them during the new campaign kickoff.
"When we say kick, we're kicking off everything," Juni said. Local businesses will be able to pick up United Way donation materials at the event. "It's going to be a one-stop shop. In the long run, it will save time for the business owners."
Representatives from over 20 partner agencies will attend the kickoff event. Some of the partnering organizations include the Red Cross, Human Services, Lutheran Social Services, New Ulm Area Emergency Food Shelf, NUMAS Haus, Ivy House and many other regional non-profits.
United Way is an organization that has been in the New Ulm area for 75 years. Juni said United Way was designed as a non-profit that could certify other organizations to make sure donated money was going to reputable organizations.
"Our mission is to connect people and resources," Juni said, "in a big part, is connecting to our partner organization funded through this campaign."
By bringing the partnering agencies to the campaign kickoff, United Way hopes to give donors a better opportunity to learn about the important work being done by the agencies. Each partner agency will have a designated area to provide information and interact with attendees, allowing for a deeper understanding of their specific mission and initiatives.
The event starts at 5 p.m. in Turner Hall with a social hour. At 6 p.m. there will be a short United Way program including a video. At 6:30 p.m. there will be a special raffle drawing for a GMC Recon Hummer E-Bike. This E-Bike is worth $4,000. Each raffle ticket is worth $20. The tickets can be purchased from any United Way board member or partnering agency. The drawing will be held at during the kick-off event, but raffle ticket buyers do not need to be present to win.
For more information about the United Way of the Brown County Area Campaign Kickoff event or to purchase raffle tickets, please contact Cheryl Diede at 507-227-7262 or Cheryl Neidt at 507-723-6315. or visit the organization’s website at www.unitedwaybrowncountyarea.org
Juni said, "Together, let us raise our hands to build a brighter future for everybody in Brown County."