Unity in Our Community dinner set for Saturday
T-R FILE PHOTOS — Josh Peters gets his face painted by Sue Kohler and Melynda McCord during Unity in Our Community’s Because We Care Carnival Fair at the Marshalltown Arts and Civic Center. The organization is hosting a dinner and auction event to help provide funds for the carnival this year.
After the first of the year, Unity in Our Community members determined events they would like to host in 2024. One of those events is the Pasta Dinner and Silent Auction on Saturday.
Unity member Lanette Martin said the dinner and auction is being held to raise money for the nonprofit organization’s efforts.
“This will give us a cushion for us to do future events,” she said. “We are trying to get our funds built up so we can support things in our community.”
The dinner is also being used to spread awareness of Unity in Our Community. Martin said they are praying for increased participation and interest.
“We are still in the beginning stages of getting our name out there,” she said.
Unity in Our Community members Julie Jarrell, Lanette Martin, Cindy Soderberg and Roberta Edgar stand next to totes full of items for school buildings in Marshalltown. The organization donated the supplies after hosting fundraising events. They will hold a dinner and auction on Saturday to help fund future events.
Unity in Our Community hosts different fundraisers to raise money for various causes. Last year, they held the Because We Care carnival and a bake sale at the Holiday Stroll to raise money for necessary supplies for the Marshalltown schools. The carnival held in August was paid for by the churches involved in Unity in Our Community.
The organization raised $3,900, which was split amongst the school buildings. Each building received $300 worth of merchandise, such as clothing for students, hygiene products, fidget toys and more.
Martin said they do not have any specific causes to focus on yet. Rather, Unity members will determine the greatest community need and then donate proceeds to that.
Attendees of the Saturday dinner and auction will not have to buy tickets for the meal, which will feature spaghetti, chicken alfredo, macaroni and cheese, garlic bread, salad, dessert and drinks.
“We will have enough food to feed 500 people,” she said. “Hopefully we will get a lot of people.”
Money will be raised through free will donations and the silent auction.
The auction items will be displayed on a table, with bid papers next to them. Martin said they have a variety of items up for bid:
• Three Sub City gift certificates
• $25 gift certificate for Ashes of Ivory, a consignment shop in Grundy Center
• Two rounds of 18-hole golf games and a cart rental at Wandering Creek
• La Caretta gift certificates and T-shirts
• Six $10 gift cards to Brown’s Shoe Fit
• Brit Marie’s Country Boutique $25 gift card
• $10 gift card to Perkins
• Facial from 19 Salon & Spa
• $10 gift card to Lillie Mae Chocolates
• West End Perk $20 gift certificate
• Big Ball Pack from Wayward Social, which includes two hours of bowling, five shoe rentals, a large pizza and two pitchers of pop
• Greeting cards from Stepping Stones Christian
• Gift certificate to Taco John’s
• $100 worth of Theisen’s products
Martin will notify bid winners next week.
For people who are unable to attend, but would still like to donate can look for “UnityInOurCommunity” on Venmo, “$UIOC23” on Cash App and “Unity In Our Community” on Paypal.
Besides the dinner and auction, Martin said they will hold a Together We Care Tuesdays on May 7, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Applebee’s. A portion of the money raised from selected menu items will be donated to Unity in Our Community.
Members are organizing another carnival in September, and are trying to put together a “food truck frenzy” in June. Martin hopes to get live music for the food trucks, but stressed it is not nailed down.
“It’s just something fun we would like to do this summer,” she said.
DINNER AND AUCTION INFO:
Location: Central Iowa Fairgrounds Activity Building
Address: 1308 E. Olive St.
Date: Saturday, May 4
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.
-
- T-R FILE PHOTOS — Josh Peters gets his face painted by Sue Kohler and Melynda McCord during Unity in Our Community’s Because We Care Carnival Fair at the Marshalltown Arts and Civic Center. The organization is hosting a dinner and auction event to help provide funds for the carnival this year.
-
- Unity in Our Community members Julie Jarrell, Lanette Martin, Cindy Soderberg and Roberta Edgar stand next to totes full of items for school buildings in Marshalltown. The organization donated the supplies after hosting fundraising events. They will hold a dinner and auction on Saturday to help fund future events.
Todays News
GMG school board approves second round of budget cuts, including staff reductions
Bobcat Spotlight: Madrigal Ibarra leads NHS chapter at MHS
Marshalltown teen still missing over a week later
Council tentatively OKs moving second house near library to allow for expansion
Two arrested over alleged credit card skimming scheme
