Last year, the United Way of Dodge City scheduled the kickoff event for its fundraising campaign for the same night as the Dodge High football team's Watermelon Scrimmage.
Despite stormy weather that evening, the United Way went ahead with the event as planned — and it was extremely successful.
The United Way's executive director, Gayle Ausmus, is hoping to repeat that success this year.
The organization will kick off its 2008 fundraising campaign with a tailgate party from 5:45 to 7 p.m. Aug. 29 at the south end of Memorial Stadium. There is no charge for admission to the event, which will again coincide with the Red Demons' Watermelon Scrimmage, but free-will donations to the United Way will be accepted.
"We're very excited to be able to invite the community out to take in the tailgate party," Ausmus said Wednesday.
She said National Beef will provide hot dogs for the tailgate party, and Cargill Meat Solutions will supply hamburgers to be cooked by the company's grill team. Other donors have contributed chips and Pepsi.
Waters True Value will donate tables and chairs for the event.
The tailgate party will launch the United Way's annual fundraising campaign, which will actually begin Sept. 1. The campaign generates money for local social service agencies and programs that receive financial support from the organization.
The United Way set out to raise $240,000 during the 2007 campaign and surpassed that goal, collecting $278,107.34. That success has prompted the agency to set its goal higher this year, at $245,000.
"We like to make realistic goals so that we can actually hope to achieve that through the generous donations from people in the community," Ausmus said.
She said the tailgate party is intended to show the community that the United Way appreciates its support.
Reach Eric Swanson at (620) 408-9917 or e-mail him at eric.swanson@dodgeglobe.com.
Who gets the money
Social service organizations and programs that receive support from the United Way of Dodge City:
Catholic Social Service.
Crisis Center.
Ford County Kids Count.
Manna House.
Family Planning.
United Cerebral Palsy.
United Methodist Care Center.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ford County.
CASA-Children Worth Saving.
The Alley.
Santa Fe Trail Boy Scouts.
Bright Beginnings Head Start.
CEO.
Joy Childhood Development Center.
Meals on Wheels.
RSVP.
Girl Scouts of the Heartland.
The United Way of Dodge City's scholarship program.
Source: United Way of Dodge City.
