Roughly 70 people attended Tuesday’s campaign kickoff event for Marshalltown Area United Way. The campaign title this year is Let’s Raise the Bar(r), and carries a goal of raising $825,000 for 28 agencies.

Executive Director Kendra Sorensen welcomed attendees to the 93rd annual campaign after they enjoyed a meal of ribs prepared by JBS employees, and sides provided by Walmart. Sorensen said so far the campaign has received $161,322, which is 20 percent of the goal. Some of the money was raised through events, pledge cards and corporate contributions.

“Having the opportunity to fund the United Way, I knew it would help,” Sorensen said. “It really does help everyone in our community, regardless of age, race, profession, anything. That is the core. We know there are individuals who need our support right now.”

She introduced the campaign co-chairs Kyle Martin and Carrie Barr, who had some playful banter.

“I have a joke for you, Kyle,” Barr said. “What happens when a woman, two priests, a reverend and a rabbi go into a place together in 1887 in Denver?”

Martin replied that he did not know.

She told him, “They started the United Way.”

Martin asked how much money the founders managed to raise that first year. Barr said they raised $20,000.

Martin reminded the crowd of the $825,000 and added the campaign title is a play on Barr’s last name.

“Let’s raise the bar,” he said. “I know you can do it. Last year, you more than exceeded $800,000. So let’s do it again.”

Barr said she was grateful to be associated with the campaign.

“I, like a lot of you, grew up in Marshalltown,” she said. “We have great schools, parents, neighborhoods, but life is hard for some people now. When you look around, they need help. I am so grateful that Kendra and all the [volunteers] are working together to feed people, help them find clothing, help the kids get into good schools, to help all of those things. I can’t imagine a better way for my donation to help the most people the best way.”

Martin said the campaign ends in December and asked if people might consider increasing their contributions this year.

“Please rally around us, encourage your neighbors, family and friends,” he said. “We assist 12,000 to 13,000 residents with this money.”

Sorenson, Martin and Barr also showed the long-awaited debut of the campaign video, created by Craig Schwartz of Good Seasons Productions. One aspect of the video different from previous ones was the light-hearted manner. Written by Martin, he wanted to include some humor without taking away from the seriousness of the task at hand. The crowd in the Monet Reception Hall in the Marshalltown Arts and Community Center responded to the debut with numerous bouts of laughter.

“[The video] is kind of a tongue-in-cheek take on something that is kind of serious,” Martin said.

Sorensen said the video will be posted on the United Way website this week, unitedwaymarshalltown.org.

After the video, Events and Marketing Coordinator Shannon Johnson told attendees about the upcoming Together We Care Tuesday at Applebees. It will be held Sept. 26. Fifty percent of the proceeds raised from orders from the qualifying menu will go into the campaign.

She also spoke about the Power of the Purse, which is the biggest fundraiser for the campaign. Registration is open for the Oct. 12 event, which will be held at Midnight Gardens. Johnson said they are accepting purses and other items, such as bottles of wine valued at $18 or more, for the auction. The deadline to donate is Sept. 27.

“Our goal this year is between $90,000 to $100,000,” she said.

The new venue for Power of the Purse will accommodate 240 attendees. Johnson said the event sold out “in a hot minute” last year. There are only 50 tickets available.

“We expect to sell out, as usual,” she said. “Thanks again for all of your support in the campaign season. We hope to see you at our events.”

Sorenson said people can donate to the campaign through pledge cards in the mail. Otherwise, they can call the Marshalltown Area United Way office at 641-752-4688 or visit the website. In the upper righthand corner, she said there is a donate button.

——

Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.