United Way of Portage County moves campaign kickoff to drive-in again
For the third year in a row, the United Way of Portage County will hold its fundraising kickoff at the Midway Drive-In.
More:United Way of Portage County kicks off campaign at Midway Drive-In
Bill Childers, president and CEO of the United Way, said the kickoff will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday at the Drive-In. The event will include live music, snacks, games, stories about the impact of the United Way and more.
Childers said the kickoff, which traditionally was an indoor event, moved to the drive-in in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. While he said COVID still makes it a good idea to avoid crowded indoor venues, the event continues to be an outdoor event because people prefer the new format, he said.
"People liked it and wanted us to continue," he said. "It gives us an opportunity to engage with the community in a kind of different venue."
The event will begin at 6 p.m. with music from the band Mississippi Wheelhouse, games for children, cornhole, a 50/50 drawing and basket raffles. At 7:30 p.m., the United Way will show a short video on the impact its services have on the community. Participants who stay to watch a movie will have a choice of either "Lyle, Lyle Crocodile" or "Top Gun Maverick."
Tickets are $10 a carload and can be purchased in advance on the United Way website.
Reporter Diane Smith can be reached at 330-298-1139 or dsmith@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: United Way of Portage County moves campaign kickoff to drive-in again
