By Ben Cox
The Prairieland United Way and the Bob Freesen YMCA partnered together for a unique, fun, family-oriented event on August 17 to help start the United Way’s annual fundraising campaign and to show off the many amenities at the YMCA.
There were several prizes given away in a special raffle to help raise funds for the Prairieland United Way as they embark on their six-month journey to raise $475,000 for the United Way’s programs. Families were able to enjoy all that the YMCA has to offer as well as free books donated by Bound to Stay Bound, a cookie decorating station, snacks donated by Hy-Vee and a coloring station.
Rabbi Rob Thomas said in a post to his Facebook page that he was delighted with the turnout, “The attendance was excellent, and higher than I expected for a first-time event – it was truly a success! What is a measure of success? Lauren [Thomas]’s cookie decorating table had 108 cookies decorated by the kids – and perhaps an adult or two.”
The event kicked off a series of events during the Prairieland United Way’s 2025 campaign kickoff week. On August 19, residents were asked to give back through an ImpactLife blood drive at CNB Bank & Trust on West Morton Avenue.
‘Dine United Wednesdays’ kicked off on August 20 at Papa Murphy’s. Each Wednesday through the end of October at a selected restaurant, patrons can dine in or carry out, with a portion of the proceeds going to the annual campaign. Patrons can drop their receipt with their phone number on it in a drawing for a $20 gift card to the previous week’s participating restaurant.
The finale of the kickoff week was on August 21, when members of the community enjoyed a celebrity bartender night at K’s Creek.
