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Skidsteer raffle helps United Way donate to local organizations
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By ZACH ANDERSON, Daily Leader News Intern
| 07/23/2009 |
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Pictured are (back, left) Jim Edwards, Tom Bloom, Jeff Bloom, (front) Kelly Wilkens, Lindsey Karlson, Lois Niedert, Tami Christiansen and Joyce Hyland.
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The money raised through ticket sales will help the United Way fund more than 35 agencies in the counties of Lake, Miner and Moody.
Dakota Ethanol in Wentworth will also help by donating funds raised at their annual golf tournament. They have designated a generous matching amount to the Interlakes Area United Way.
"We fund organizations that are doing good work, trying to change the communities for the better," United Way Board Member Lindsey Karlson said.
The idea for the raffle came when Jeff Bloom of Lake County International approached the United Way board.
"Actually, it was a joint idea with Dakota Ethanol in conjunction with their golf tournament," Bloom said. "The local economy has taken a hit, so that's one of the reasons we wanted to get Gehl Company involved."
Bloom and his brother Tom are co-owners of Lake County International. Gehl Company makes the Skidsteer.
The value of the Gehl Skidsteer is over $27,000, and only 400 tickets are being sold at $100 each. The winner will be drawn at the Dakota Ethanol golf tournament on July 30.
Lake County International has donated lawn equipment to the local United Way for the past two years. Bloom said that he decided to work with the United Way because it is a great organization.
"It gives to businesses in town and they in turn give to the whole community," Bloom said.
Bloom said that they could pick one business for which to do fund-raising, but that would only help that business. By fund-raising for the United Way, a lot more than one business and the whole community benefits.
So far. 275 tickets have been sold.
"It is an extra opportunity to raise funds that we normally wouldn't have access to," United Way Board Member Scott Weatherill said.
"It is amazing to have that kind of support from local businesses," Karlson said.
There are 14 people on the United Way board. Emily Neville Nelson is the president.
The Interlakes Area United Way supports agencies dedicated to helping make Madison and its surrounding areas a better place to live and work. They are a partner in change, working with a broad range of people and organizations to indentify and resolve pressing community issues.
"The issues we address are determined locally, based on the needs of our area. Ninety-nine percent of the money raised stays right here in the Interlakes Area," says the organization's mission statement.
There are a number of organizations that request funding each year, providing a variety of services such as counseling, early childhood development, youth sports, emergency medical services, healthcare and more.
The raffle will help the United Way get more funds to be able to better meet each organization's needs.
"With times getting tight, we want to meet the increased need of the organizations that provide direct help to families in need," Karlson said.
Applications are now available for 2010 funding up until the end of July.
Last year, the United Way gave money to 36 organizations. The number fluctuates each year because sometimes an organization needs money one year but doesn't require funding the next year.
The goal for fund-raising this year is $140,000. Last year, the goal was $135,000 which they met.
"To me, I like to see the impact it has on kids in need," Weatherill said.
"We get the neat job of providing support to all those nonprofits that are doing good work in their communities," Karlson said.
The Interlakes Area United Way started in Madison in 1960 as United Charities. A group of Madison residents and business leaders started the organization to coordinate the fund-raising efforts for local agencies dedicated to providing service to those in need. The Interlakes Area United Way has grown to encompass more than 30 agencies and volunteer groups in Lake, Miner and Moody counties.
Tickets for the Skidsteer will be available until July 30 at Dakota Ethanol, Lake County International or KJAM Radio. Log onto www.kjamradio.com and click on the Gehl tile. Fill out the information and a ticket will be sent.
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