contributed photo The Marshalltown Area United Way (MAUW) will host its annual campaign kickoff on Tuesday. This year’s co-chairs are Kyley Leger and Kate Bowermaster.

The Marshalltown Area United Way (MAUW) will host its annual campaign kickoff on Tuesday.

Beginning at 4:30 p.m. and held at the Marshalltown Arts and Civic Center (MACC), the public is welcome to attend and learn about the upcoming campaign.

MAUW Executive Director Kendra Sorensen said attendees will enjoy ribs donated by JBS. The meat will be smoked or grilled by Andy Cole with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office and Pat Hageman with Assured Partners, using their own unique seasonings and styles. Walmart has provided condiments and sides such as baked beans and chips. The meal is a freewill donation with all proceeds benefiting the campaign.

“The meal will continue to be served until we run out,” Sorensen said.

Starting at 5:30 p.m., there will be a short presentation in the Monet Inside the MACC. Sorensen said people will hear from MAUW Co-chairs Kate Bowermaster and Kyley Leger, see the reveal of the campaign video and meet partner agency representatives. Attendees will learn why Sorensen will be wearing a tie, donated by Paul Hermanson, during the campaign and what it will indicate.

“Since the event happens to fall on National Voter Registration Day, we will also have individuals from the Marshall County Auditor’s office to assist people in registering to vote, obtain absentee ballots, and answer voter registration questions,” Sorenson said.

Campaign, events

After MAUW successfully met and exceeded the $850,000 goal last year – they raised $826,265 – a new goal of $900,000 was set for 2024.

“[It] reflects the amount necessary to simply sustain local programming and services in Marshall County,” she said.

The chosen themes are “United, We Are Stronger” and “Leading the Way.” For the 2024 campaign, Sorensen said MAUW is taking a comprehensive approach of listening and responding to local needs. The campaign will run from Tuesday to December, or slightly into the first week of January if the goal has not been met.

The selected chairs are Kate Bowermaster, the workforce development director for the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce, and Kyley Leger, owner of Kyley Leger Marketing.

Besides the campaign kickoff event, the annual Power of the Purse event will be held Oct. 10 and proceeds will go toward the campaign. There will be raffle tickets for a chance to win a $1,250 14K yellow gold, ¼ carat diamond pendant, donated by Hellberg’s Jewelers. Sorensen said a raffle ticket costs $10 or people can purchase five tickets and get another for free. The winner of the pendant will be drawn at the Power of the Purse, and need not be present to win.

Other upcoming events include the Applebee’s fundraiser on Sept. 30, a Pickleball Tournament at Marshalltown High School on Oct. 5, Jail & Bail at YSS Oct. 28 to Oct. 31, and the Taco John’s fundraiser on Nov. 4.

TO MAKE DONATIONS:

Donations to the campaign can be made by mailing a check or stopping at MAUW at 709 S. Center St. inside the MACC or by visiting the website, unitedway@marshalltown.org.

“All contributions are significant, no matter the amount,” Sorensen said. “It takes all of us uniting together to mobilize positive change in our community.”

CAMPAIGN BENEFICIARIES:

While there are no new nonprofit agencies which will benefit this year, Sorensen said there are a couple different programs, such as MPACT with YSS and the Marshalltown Police Department and Days of Care with Iowa River Hospice. Agencies that are eligible to receive funding from the campaign are:

• ACCESS

• Al Exito

• ARC of Marshall County

• American Red Cross of Central Iowa

• Big Brothers Big Sisters

• Caring Center

• Center Associates

• CAPS (Child, Adolescent and Parent Support)

• CIRSI (Central Iowa Residential Services, Inc.)

• Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa

• House of Compassion

• Iowa Legal Aid

• Iowa River Hospice

• LeGrand Community Center

• Marine Cadets of Central Iowa

• Marshalltown Youth Foundation

• MICA (Mid-Iowa Community Action)

• MIW, Inc. (Mid-Iowa Workshops)

• Mid-Iowa Triumph Recovery Center

• Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging

• RSVP of Central Iowa

• Salvation Army

• Scouting America (formerly known as the Boy Scouts)

• Marshalltown Senior Citizens Center

• The Bridge Home

• YSS of Marshall County

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.