SUBMITTED PHOTO The Marshalltown Area United Way Traveling Toilets fundraiser kicked off on Wednesday. Until Sept. 9, residents will see these four toilets grace the lawns of four recipients, with new lawns each week.

There’s some toilet humor going around Marshalltown, but it is all clean fun.

Marshalltown Area United Way (MAUW) unveiled the Traveling Toilets fundraiser by setting up four commodes in separate yards.

United Way Events and Marketing Manager Rachel Norton said they kicked things off with a splash on Wednesday by placing toilets in the yards of Mayor Joel Greer and his wife, Judge Sharon Greer, Councilman Mike Ladehoff and his wife Kim, Marshalltown Community School District Superintendent Theron Schutte and his wife Conny and Arts + Culture Alliance Marketing and Program Manager Shannon Johnson and her husband Chris.

The mind behind the Traveling Toilets is MAUW 2025 Campaign Co-chair Maria Gonzalez-Alvarez.

“This campaign is all about community — coming together, having fun and supporting the programs that help our neighbors thrive,” she said. “We hope the Traveling Toilets spark a lot of smiles and generosity across Marshalltown.”

Times-Republican editor and campaign Co-chair Robert Maharry said he hopes the traveling, decorated lavatories will “unclog” some friendly competition and raise needed funds.

“There’s nothing stinky about giving back to your community, and you can rest assured that a contribution to the cause is the exact opposite of flushing your money down the toilet,” he said.

There have already been some community replies.

“The response has been overwhelmingly positive — people are calling it fun, unique, creative and hilarious,” Norton said. “As of now, we already have three proud Party Poopers signed up.”

That’s right. For $150, a resident can become a Party Pooper and their yard will remain free of porcelain thrones.

Each loo is decorated with a theme coinciding with a MAUW impact area. The impact areas are:

• Healthy community;

• Youth opportunity;

• Financial security and;

• Community resiliency.

The toilets will remain in the first four yards until July 2, and then movers will pick them up and “plunge” toward the next destination. According to Norton, the toilets will remain in yards for one week.

“The next recipient is selected by the current one,” she said. “Toilets are only removed on Wednesday mornings, regardless of donation level.”

The new effort is “flush” with potential to raise funds for the United Way. However, donations should not be “stalled” too long as they need to be submitted each Tuesday before the Wednesday removals.

Potty recipients can pay $25 for a Basic Flush, in which the toilet is removed without any promises it will return. For $50, a person can buy a Flush & Fling, in which they can choose the toilet’s next destination after the weekly removal. Choosing the next recipient can also come with the $100 VIP Flush, along with the guarantee a john will not return for the rest of the year. Or at least until Sept. 9, when the fundraiser ends and the $900,000 Campaign Kick-Off event is held.

“One hundred percent of the funds raised through the Traveling Toilets will be included in the 2025 – 2026 campaign total,” Norton said.

She wanted to remind residents that even though the fundraiser is about fun and laughter, it also raises money for 30 programs in Marshall County.

“This not very serious fundraiser supports some very serious needs, and we’re grateful for every flush that helps make a difference,” Norton said.

Fortunately, MAUW toilet removal will not be a dirty job. If anyone would like to volunteer their services and help remove them, contact Norton at marcom@unitedwaymarshalltown.org.

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Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or l

bradstream@timesrepublican.com.