SIDNEY — Employees of the city of Sidney have set a new United Way giving record. Pledges totaling $11,273 have been turned in to date, and additional pledges are expected. The previous record of $10,793 was set in 2012.
“It has been an amazing campaign,” Human Resources Coordinator Kelly Holthaus said. Holthaus is the United Way Campaign chair for the city of Sidney.
“Our employees have responded with enthusiasm. I know there are still pledges that have not come in. We have surpassed our goal of $10.000 by more than 12 percent. In addition to the remaining pledges, the income from the chili luncheon will be added to our grand total.”
The chili luncheon is an annual fundraising event with proceeds earmarked for the United Way.
Holthaus suspects that giving may have been spurred by City Manager Mark Cundiff’s promise to kiss a pig if the employees surpassed this year’s goal.
“Each year, I offer an incentive,” Cundiff said. “Last year, I offered to shave my head. Since I don’t have a lot of hair left, it apparently wasn’t much of an incentive! Apparently kissing a pig is a much better incentive.”
“The United Way is such a worthwhile cause that if it takes kissing a pig, I’ll do it again next year,” Cundiff said. “Unfortunately knowing Kelly as I do, she’ll probably have me wrestling a bear or an alligator next year!”
“I am grateful that our employees recognize the importance the United Way plays within Sidney and Shelby County,” Sidney Mayor Mike Barhorst said. “United Way supports 27 different programs, all of which impact residents of Sidney and Shelby County .”
“I have been involved directly or indirectly with many of those programs and know how the programs can change the lives of others. It’s one of the reasons Jenny and I contribute personally to the United Way.”
“I want to congratulate the City of Sidney’s employees for setting a new giving record this year,” United Way Executive Director Scott Barr said. “I am especially grateful that they have done so well in advance of the end of the campaign.”
The United Way Victory Luncheon is scheduled for Nov. 3 the Sidney American Legion Hall. The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m.
