United Way of Lake County Kicks off Virtual Community Hero Raffle and Hero Hijinx Fundraiser

United Way of Lake County May 2021 Community Hero Raffle and Hero Hijinx Fundraisers Now Live

Wickliffe City School Superintendent Primed to Jump from Plane to Raise Donations for UWLC

May 4, 2021– Mentor, OH – Today marks the kickoff of the first of a three-part virtual raffle United Way of Lake County (UWLC) is holding to raise donations in place of their largest annual fundraiser. Their Celebrity Server event is held annually in March, but this is the second year the organization has been unable to host their popular 500 person St. Patty’s Day themed event.

The raffle is part of a two-part fundraiser being held to replace Celebrity Server.

UWLC’s virtual raffle gives residents the opportunity to purchase entries online for a chance to win 45 large-ticket item prizes while helping the community.

Part one of their two-part fundraiser includes three back-to-back weekly raffles. The first virtual raffle started today and runs through Monday, May 10 at 11:59 pm. It can be accessed at go.rallyup.com/heroraffle1

A full 100% of proceeds raised from the online raffle stay local and will benefit Lake County children, families, and seniors in need.

Tami Lewis, UWLC Marketing and Communications Director said, “The economic impact of the pandemic has hit Lake County residents hard and the need is greater than ever. We are hoping our community will open their hearts and wallets with wild abandon for a chance to win any of a wide variety of exciting big ticket-items while helping those in need.”

Some of the raffle items participants can win include a $500 Airbnb gift card donated by UWLC board member, Rick Busby, President of The Rogers Company in Mentor. Other items include an Apple iPad Air, $250 Amazon.com gift card, Ohio lottery tickets, an outdoor grill, a Schwinn bike, winery getaways, $200 restaurant gift cards and much more.

Information on the second and third raffles can be found on UWLC’s website at https://www.uwlc.org/heroraffle.

Part two of the organization’s fundraiser includes a Community Hero Hijinx Fundraiser whereby twenty community heroes who believe in giving back and giving local, have signed on to raise funds for UWLC by performing a variety of “hijinx” in exchange for donations. The hijinx started May 1, 2021 and will run through May 26, 2021. Some community hero hijinx activities include making homemade bakery, offering healthy living tips, hosting dinner parties and preparing and delivering brunch.

The most noteworthy Hijinx activity includes comes from Wickliffe City School Superintendent Joe Spiccia and Wickliffe City Schools Director of Strategic Innovation Julie Ramos. One of the two is primed to skydive in the name of giving back, an activity neither has ever taken part in before.

Which of the two will jump out of an airplane will be determined by the person who donates the greatest amount to their individual fundraising page at http://bit.ly/UWLCHeroJulie_Joe. The highest donor will also have the privilege of being present in the plane along with Spiccia and Ramos.

According to Spiccia, "The Wickliffe Family Resource Center has been able to serve thousands of people, thanks to the generosity of the United Way of Lake County, our partners, and supporters. Julie and I believe in helping people and the greater good. Anything we can do to promote and support the work of United Way of Lake County and the people it serves is the most important gift we can give."

“We are grateful to all of our many supporters and hero hijinx participants, but I have to really hand it to Joe and Julie for the challenge they have placed upon themselves. The Wickliffe Family Resource Center is a great community partner whose work we value, along with the very brave hearts of Joe and Julie,” said UWLC President and CEO Jennifer McCarty.

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