WILLIAMSPORT, PA (August 31, 2022) – The Lycoming County United Way (LCUW) is starting its campaign with fun and games and an aggressive fundraising goal. The Centennial Campaign Kickoff Carnival is Thursday evening, September 1, 2022, at New Trail Brewing Co., from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Proceeds from the event benefit the United Way and its funded programs and partners. This year, the annual fundraising goal has been set at $2,000,000.
The carnival will feature a dunk tank sponsored by The Brickyard and The Stonehouse restaurant, a mobile hatchet throwing area provided by the Hatchet House, and other games provided by Range Resources, SAFE Kids PA, Lycoming County Partner, PennDOT, Lycoming County Coroner’s Office, and Susquehanna Valley CASA. The local group The Heartstrings is providing entertainment. Free drinks will be provided to those registering and using social media QR codes at the event. LCUW board members and friends of the LCUW have also donated raffle prizes. Tickets will be sold at the event. Raffle prizes available include a Yeti Tundra 45 Cooler, a Yukon Solo Stove, and a Blackstone Griddle.
“Resource development efforts over the past few years have been impacted by changes in workplace campaigns and the impact of COVID-19, but that has also impacted the need in our communities,” said Ron Frick, President of LCUW. “We need to do more and we need the community’s help.” The annual campaign raised under one million dollars for the first time in 40 years.
In prior years, LCUW conducted a very formal campaign with volunteers and a campaign cabinet. “Our hope is that we can find a community leader willing to lead the effort and surround them with staff, board, and community volunteer support,” said Frick. We are hoping to announce more in the coming weeks. Letters to leadership society donors and others are scheduled to be mailed in the next few weeks as well.
Betsy Reichenbach is leading the planning and execution of the kickoff carnival and said, “This is a way to have some fun and celebrate our first 100 years while launching our organization into the next century. We are grateful for the ongoing support of the community and our community partners”