It’s been 10 years since the United Way of Becker County discontinued its residential fundraising drive in favor of a new event that came to be known as the United Way Community Celebration. “We had been doing the door-to-door residential drive for years, and it just got to the point that, A) we didn’t know if it was safe all the time and B), it took so many volunteers,” said United Way Executive Director LuAnn Porter, adding that just one night of door-to-door fundraising took about 250-300 people to cover the entire area served by the Detroit Lakes-based nonprofit organization. So the United Way board of directors came up with a new idea - a one-night celebration that offered free food, live entertainment and prizes while also showcasing the organization’s various partner agencies-nonprofits and what they do to help the people of Becker County, Porter added. It’s also a way to let the residents of Detroit Lakes and surrounding communities know how much their support is appreciated.
“We do a big bulk mailing to about 15,000 homes in the county to let people know about the United Way and what we do, and that the Community Celebration is coming up,” she said. This year’s United Way Community Celebration is set for Thursday, Sept. 25, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Besides the information booths showcasing the United Way’s 34 current partner programs, there will also be inflatable games, a free bike helmet giveaway (and fitting) for the first 80 kids to sign up, and another free bike giveaway (one girls’ bike, and one boys’ bike will be given away via a drawing held during the event). Piñatas created by United Way volunteers especially for the event will also be available for bashing open, with the prizes inside then up for grabs by the kids who gather for this fun event. And of course, there will be a free picnic supper featuring Sloppy Joes served up to the hundreds of area residents who turn up for the event, held rain or shine inside the Detroit Lakes Pavilion. Though there is no admission charge for the Community Celebration, contributions to the United Way are encouraged, Porter continued. “Our fundraising goal for 2014 is $225,000, the same as it was last year,” she said. The employee payroll drive is already underway, with the business drive slated to begin on Oct. 7. “We want everyone to come down to the Pavilion and enjoy themselves that day,” Porter said. “It’s just a fun family event - and it’s free.” For more information about the Community Celebration, and the United Way in general, contact LuAnn Porter at 218-846-7400. Follow Detroit Lakes Newspapers reporter Vicki Gerdes on Twitter at @VickiLGerdes.It’s been 10 years since the United Way of Becker County discontinued its residential fundraising drive in favor of a new event that came to be known as the United Way Community Celebration.“We had been doing the door-to-door residential drive for years, and it just got to the point that, A) we didn’t know if it was safe all the time and B), it took so many volunteers,” said United Way Executive Director LuAnn Porter, adding that just one night of door-to-door fundraising took about 250-300 people to cover the entire area served by the Detroit Lakes-based nonprofit organization.So the United Way board of directors came up with a new idea - a one-night celebration that offered free food, live entertainment and prizes while also showcasing the organization’s various partner agencies-nonprofits and what they do to help the people of Becker County, Porter added.It’s also a way to let the residents of Detroit Lakes and surrounding communities know how much their support is appreciated.
“We do a big bulk mailing to about 15,000 homes in the county to let people know about the United Way and what we do, and that the Community Celebration is coming up,” she said.This year’s United Way Community Celebration is set for Thursday, Sept. 25, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Besides the information booths showcasing the United Way’s 34 current partner programs, there will also be inflatable games, a free bike helmet giveaway (and fitting) for the first 80 kids to sign up, and another free bike giveaway (one girls’ bike, and one boys’ bike will be given away via a drawing held during the event).Piñatas created by United Way volunteers especially for the event will also be available for bashing open, with the prizes inside then up for grabs by the kids who gather for this fun event.And of course, there will be a free picnic supper featuring Sloppy Joes served up to the hundreds of area residents who turn up for the event, held rain or shine inside the Detroit Lakes Pavilion.Though there is no admission charge for the Community Celebration, contributions to the United Way are encouraged, Porter continued.“Our fundraising goal for 2014 is $225,000, the same as it was last year,” she said.The employee payroll drive is already underway, with the business drive slated to begin on Oct. 7.“We want everyone to come down to the Pavilion and enjoy themselves that day,” Porter said. “It’s just a fun family event - and it’s free.”For more information about the Community Celebration, and the United Way in general, contact LuAnn Porter at 218-846-7400.Follow Detroit Lakes Newspapers reporter Vicki Gerdes on Twitter at @VickiLGerdes.
