United Way of Lake County’s Hero Hijinx and Raffle Fundraiser Raises a Record $73,143 Due to Outpouring of Community Support
June 3, 2021– Mentor, OH – United Way of Lake County (UWLC) held a two-part virtual fundraiser this past May that raised a record $73,143 due to the overwhelming support the organization received by the community.
This is the second year in a row UWLC has had to rely on virtual fundraising to replace their annual St. Patrick’s Day themed Celebrity Server event due to the novel coronavirus.
According to UWLC President and CEO Jennifer McCarty, “It has been a tough year for us at a time when funds have been most needed. The additional burden brought on by the economic impact of the pandemic left many more people struggling than ever, including those who have never been in a position of need before. The success of the fundraiser and the outpouring of support we received will allow us to help lighten the hardships faced by so many in need.”
The first part of UWLC’s fundraiser included three weekly back-to-back raffles giving participants the opportunity to purchase entries for the chance to win any of a wide variety of high-end prizes while helping the community. A full one hundred percent of proceeds raised stay local, benefiting Lake County children, families and seniors in need.
Part two of the organization’s fundraiser included Community Hero Hijinx events whereby twenty UWLC community heroes who believe in supporting their community performed a mixture of individual fundraising activities in exchange for donations.
“I appreciate everyone who kindly participated and am especially thankful to Morris Beverage III for raising $10,471. This is the largest amount raised by any of our heroes,” said McCarty.
Beverage, President of Lighthouse Advisers in Mentor and a UWLC board member, hosted his own raffle featuring five high value prizes to raise funds for UWLC.
According to Beverage, “I have always believed in giving back and giving local. It means a lot to me to be in a position to step up and help our friends and neighbors in need. I am grateful for the work of United Way of Lake County and the impact they make and was thrilled to join them as a Community Hijinx Hero to raise funds for our community’s most vulnerable residents. Knowing that the donations I raised will make a real difference is all the motivation I needed to take action.”
Other “Hijinx” implemented to raise donations by members of UWLC’s Community Hero Hijinx Squad included hosting brunch and dinner parties, cooking and baking, offering healthy living tips, hosting camp activities, and even skydiving. Kathy Strancar, Executive Director of Forbes House, offered the “sweetest” thank you to donors of her fundraising page by bottling and gifting raw honey harvested from her own backyard. Darya Jeffries Klammer of The Klammer Law Office also offered up sweet thanks by baking donors their choice of challah bread, sour dough bread or one of a variety of cookies, while Vanessa Tey Iosue, President of Burges & Burges Strategists made quart after quart of homemade black beans, dubbed by her pappy to be “the very best” he has ever had.
“Our raffle and Community Hero Hijinx fundraiser provided a fun, easy way for people to lend their support. Its success is a strong reminder of how deeply our residents care for one another. We are also profoundly moved by the selflessness and generosity of our Community Hijinx Heroes and are blessed to have such strong supporters behind us,” said UWLC director of marketing and communications Tami Lewis.
The fundraiser was presented by The Lubrizol Corporation and sponsored by the News-Herald, Lake Metroparks, Lake Health, First Federal Lakewood, the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library and Cornerstone IT.
About United Way of Lake County
United Way of Lake County is a local, independent organization dedicated to building a stronger community and changing the odds for Lake County’s most vulnerable residents by fighting for the health, education and financial stability of those in need. In partnership with nonprofit agencies, local businesses, community leaders and citizens, United Way is improving the lives of individuals and families in Lake County. By working together, we provide a network of services addressing Lake County’s most urgent needs while working toward lasting change. For more information, please call (440) 352-3166 or visit uwlc.org.
United Way of Lake County. Changing the Odds.
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