FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN

United Way holds drive-thru luncheon to raise funds for community organizations

ONEIDA, N.Y. » The United Way of Greater Madison County held their annual luncheon on Friday in a drive-thru fashion, like they did last year. This is the non-profit’s only fundraising event held each year, making it an important milestone for their budget and the budgets of the many local agencies they support that provide much-needed services to people in the area.

United Way of Madison County Executive Director Denise Laube said that around 175 lunches were purchased, down from the usual average of 200-225. Despite this dip in sales, she’s hopeful that this year’s raffle will make up the difference. Nearly 30 local businesses sponsored the event.

Though COVID restrictions have eased up, the decision to keep the luncheon a drive-thru experience was made months ago out of an abundance of caution, Laube said. They didn’t have a crystal ball at the time, she remarked, and couldn’t know what kind of gathering would be allowed. As the Delta variant has taken over and communities again become more cautious against viral spread, the executive director said that it was ultimately a good call. Stick

ing with the drive-thru also cuts down on costs, like renting the Kallet Theater and printing programs to hand out to guests.

However, there’s a lot COVID has taken away or made difficult for the non-profit. Many miss the chance to gather together for this important fundraiser where local agencies got a chance to share their impact with the help of the United Way. And as many people have spent less time working in their offices, it has changed the way the United Way campaigns for funding among large employers. Those inoffice interactions were key, Laube explained, and so they’ve had to think differently about connecting with people to meet their financial goals.

Last year, each agency’s funding from the United Way had to be cut by an equal percentage— the money they thought was going to be there, simply was not thanks to COVID-19. This bump in the road forced the non-profit to rethink its funding and application cycle, Laube said. Now, the non-profit will accept applications from local agencies in the fall and delegate funds at the end of the campaign season, rather than accepting applications in the spring, setting a fundraising goal, and hoping to meet the goal afterward, which they usually did, Laube said.

This means that residents have time to make an impact by boosting the United Way’s budget with their donations. Participating in the raffle is a great way to help.

Winning raffles at the end of the luncheon was a big part of the event when it was held in person, Laube explained. As the organization decided to change the logistics of the event to fit within a COVID-19 world, so did their raffle, but Laube says it could be for the better.

Now, anyone can participate in the raffle even if they didn’t get a lunch. Thanks to the push for change during the pandemic, the United Way has leaned into an online raffle, this year held on Thursday, September 16. The tickets can be purchased online up until Wednesday, September 15 at 5 p.m. Winners will be picked live on the United Way of Madison County’s Facebook page the next day at 5:15 p.m.

There’s a bit of something for everyone among the over 30 raffle prizes, each donated by local businesses or United Way board members. Winners could walk away with a gift certificate to Ray Brother’s BBQ, Coneheads, the Madison Bistro, Rosy Nails, and many other local businesses. There’s even a gift certificate for legal services with Vindigni, Betro, & Getman, a $200 value.

Gift baskets for cleaning, ice cream, wine drinking, and oral hygiene are available, among many others. Other prizes include lottery tickets, jewelry, flatware, kitchen tools, and a child’s bike.

This year’s grand prize is a reclining chair donated by Thompson Appliance and Furniture.

Raffle tickets can be purchased by clicking here. Tickets are $10 for 15.

To further bolster the organization’s funds before the fall, residents can make a one-time or monthly donation online.

In the past, the United Way of Madison County has funded the Karing Kitchen, Catholic Charities of Madison County, Heritage Farm, Wanderers’ Rest Humane Association, and several other organizations.

“Last year was a difficult year for our fundraising campaign. We really hope that we can bounce back this fall,” Laube said.

MEDIANEWS GROUP Denise Laube, executive director of the United Way of Madison County, guiding drivers through the drive-thru luncheon fundraiser for the non-profit. September 10, 2021.

MEDIANEWS GROUP The United Way of Madison County held their annual luncheon on Mott Street in Oneida this year for a drivethru lunch. September 10, 2021.