United Way announces $25K in 25 Days Challenge

The Bend community has a long and noteworthy history of caring for Deschutes County residents in need, and supporting the United Way of Deschutes County has long been a distinct part of this community fabric.

This month, United Way of Deschutes County is stepping out of the box and launching a one-of-a-kind digital community fundraising campaign with the goal of raising over $25,000 in 25 days. The $25K in 25 Days Challenge will run from February 1 – Feb 25.

During the campaign, individuals will be asked to donate $25 or more to the United Way via social media and the United Way website.

Using our new partner platform, FirstGiving, people who want to help support the United Way partner agencies they care about can create their own “grassroots” or “peer-to-peer” personal fundraising pages for free and invite friends to join in.

Some ideas include asking for donations rather than birthday or anniversary gifts, or transform your company or family sports tournament into “playing for a cause” by asking each team member to make a donation.

In addition, United Way has partnered with the Bend Downtown Association, and 13 local restaurants in Downtown Bend and Sunriver to host their first-ever “Dine and Donate” week – in support of the $25K in 25 Days campaign.

Participating restaurants will support the United Way during Dine and Donate by either contributing a portion of their sales to the campaign, providing a free menu item with a qualifying donation to United Way, or both.

United Way’s Dine and Donate week will take place the week before Valentine’s Day: Sunday, February 8 – Thursday, February 12. Deschutes County residents are encouraged to get out, eat and donate at one of the 13 participating restaurants during this time, which will support the restaurant, and United Way.

“$25K in 25 Days provides a unique and fun way for those that haven’t yet given to this year’s campaign an opportunity to enjoy a nice meal and contribute quickly and easily to the campaign.” said Vito DiMaio, Director of Resource Development. “By participating, you will be assisting 26 local nonprofit organizations that served nearly 70,000 people in Deschutes County last year.”

What can a $25 donation do? $25 delivers seven meals for a homebound senior; $25 per month provides dental screening supplies for nearly 500 children; $25 per month provides art supplies for after-school Fine Arts Programs; and $35 provides a safe warm bed, three meals, and case management services for one day for a homeless/throw-away youth.

Our United Way brings together the caring power of people to create change in our community and to improve lives with a focus on our most urgent human social service needs: helping kids get a GREAT START in life, keeping YOUTH ON TRACK for success, meeting BASIC NEEDS of individuals and families, and keeping children and families SAFE FROM VIOLENCE AND ABUSE.

So far, the overall campaign has raised $1.1 million towards its goal of $1.5 million. To learn more about United Way, follow the annual campaign progress, or to see participating restaurants visit our website at http://www.deschutesunitedway.org/ or call (541) 389-6507. To start your own peer-to-peer campaign visit www.firstgiving.com/LiveUnitedCO.

About United Way of Deschutes County
Since 1953, United Way of Deschutes County has been helping people in our community to improve their lives and build a better community by tapping into the caring power of people and organizations. United Way systematically identifies unmet needs and critical issues, and brings together people and resources to address them. With the help of corporate, employee and individual donations, United Way touches one-in-three people in our community each year through programs that focus on our most urgent human service needs: helping kids get a great start in life, keeping youth on track for success, meeting basic needs of individuals and families, and keeping children and families safe from violence and abuse. For more information call 541-389-6507 or visit www.deschutesunitedway.org.