CONTRIBUTED PHOTO — Pictured are Robert Maharry and Maria Gonzalez-Alvarez, Co-Chairs for the 2025/2026 United Way Campaign.

Preparations are underway for the annual Marshalltown Area United Way campaign kick-off.

The event will take place at 4:30 p.m., Sept. 9 at the Marshalltown Arts & Civic Center and is open to the public. Not only will it serve as the beginning of the 2025 effort to raise funds, but information about the campaign will be provided, along with a dinner.

“We welcome as many people as possible to join us,” said MAUW Events & Marketing Manager Rachel Norton. “Dinner will be served until the meal runs out.”

The meal this year includes ribs donated by JBS with sides and condiments sponsored by Walmart. She said the ribs will be smoked by Andy Cole with the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office and Bruce “Bubba” Campbell with Bubba’s Burnt Ends.

Kickoff speakers will be Norton, MAUW Executive Director Kendra Sorenson and 2025/26 campaign co-chairs Maria Gonzalez-Alvarez and Robert Maharry.

“Our campaign kickoff sets the tone for the campaign,” Norton said. “It’s where we celebrate community partnerships, talk about the needs we’re addressing and encourage people to get involved. The energy from this event fuels the work we’ll do together all year long.”

She added the campaign video will be premiered, which she expects will be the highlight of the night.

“This year’s video theme is ‘United Through the Decades,’ and the overall campaign theme is ‘United is the Way,'” Norton said. “We’ll also share highlights from successful events earlier this year, as well as upcoming opportunities to get involved as we close out the year.”

Kickoff guests will be able to purchase Power of the Purse tickets and sign up for the Nied’s Flu Shot Fundraiser at the MAUW event table. In addition, three MAUW partner agencies — Arc of Marshall County, Marshalltown Senior Citizen Center and Northeast Iowa Agency on Aging (NEI3A) — will be featured.

The Traveling Toilet Fundraiser toilets will also be showcased, and Sno-2-Go will sell treats from noon to 8 p.m., donating a portion of sales to MAUW.

“We’re excited to come together with the community to launch this year’s campaign,” Sorensen said. “It’s a great opportunity to enjoy some amazing food, celebrate our partners, and showcase the work Marshalltown Area United Way does all year long.”

EVENT INFORMATION:

What: Marshalltown Area United Way 2025/26 campaign kickoff

Day: Tuesday, Sept. 9

Time: 4:30 p.m.

Location: Marshalltown Arts & Civic Center, 709 S. Center St.

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Contact Lana Bradstream

at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.