UWLC kicks off ‘Community Hijinx Hero Fundraiser’

Wickliffe City School District official primed to jump from plane to raise donations

One of United Way of Lake County’s traditional events is taking on a creatively daring spin this year. The nonprofit recently kicked off the first of a three-part virtual raffle in efforts to raise donations in place of its largest annual fundraiser. In addition, one driven Wickliffe City School District official is set to jump from a plane to raise dollars. Typically held in March, this is the second consecutive year UWLC has been unable to host its 500-person St. Patrick’s Day-themed Celebrity Server event due to the novel coronavirus. In lieu of Celebrity Server, UWLC’s virtual raffle gives residents an opportunity to purchase entries online for a chance to win 45 large-ticket item prizes while helping the community. Part one of the two-part fundraiser includes three back-to-back weekly raffles. The first virtual raffle runs through May 10 at 11:59 p.m. and can be accessed at go.rallyup.com/ heroraffle1. All proceeds raised stay local and will benefit Lake County children, families and seniors in need, officials noted. “The economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has hit Lake County residents hard and the need is greater than ever,” said Tami Lewis, UWLC’s marketing and communications director. “We are hoping our community will open their hearts and wallets with wild abandon for a chance to win any of a wide variety of exciting big ticket-items while helping those in need.” Some of the raffle items participants can win include a $500 Airbnb gift card donated by UWLC board member Rick Busby, president of The Rogers Company in Mentor. Other items include an Apple iPad Air, a $250 Amazon.com gift card, Ohio lottery tickets, an outdoor grill, a Schwinn bicycle, winery getaways, $200 restaurant gift cards and more. Information on the second and third raffles can be found on UWLC’s website at www.uwlc.org/heroraffle. Part two of the organization’s fundraiser includes a “Community Hero Hijinx Fundraiser,” whereby 20 community heroes who believe in giving back and giving local have signed on to raise funds for UWLC by performing a variety of “hijinks” in exchange for donations. The hijinks run through May 26. Some activities include making a homemade bakery, offering healthy living tips, hosting dinner parties and preparing and delivering brunch. The most noteworthy hijinks activity comes from Wickliffe School District Superintendent Joe Spiccia and Director of Strategic Innovation Julie Ramos, one of which is primed to skydive in the name of giving back, an activity neither has ever taken part in before. The individual jumping will be determined by the person who donates the greatest amount to their respective fundraising page at http://bit.ly/UWLCHeroJulie_Joe. The highest donor will also have the privilege of being present in the plane along with Spiccia and Ramos. “The Wickliffe Family Resource Center has been able to serve thousands of people, thanks to the generosity of the United Way of Lake County, our partners, and supporters,” Spiccia said. “Julie and I believe in helping people and the greater good. Anything we can do to promote and support the work of United Way of Lake County and the people it serves is the most important gift we can give.” Jennifer McCarty, CEO of UWLC, lauded all participants for their support and praised Spiccia and Ramos for “the challenge” they’ve placed upon themselves. “The Wickliffe Family Resource Center is a great community partner whose work we value, along with the very brave hearts of Joe and Julie,” she said. For more information, please call 440-352-3166 or visit uwlc.org.