Over 200 women and volunteers were out in force for the 15th Marshalltown Area United Way Power of the Purse, held for the second year at the elegantly decorated Midnight Garden on October 10. Attendees included longtime supporters of United Way as well as first-time eventgoers. Child, Adolescent, & Parent Support (CAPS) Executive Director Linda Havelka presented on how critical United Way funding is for CAPS and the 26 other partner agencies.
The campaign goal set by Campaign Co-Chairs Kate Bowermaster and Kyley Leger to sustain necessary funding to 27 local agencies and 31 programs this year is $900,000. Fluctuations in giving trends in recent years have increased the significance of fundraising events in meeting the funding needs of these agencies, which serve 12-13,000 individuals in Marshall County each year.
The event, which raised a modest $12,600 in its first year and increased to $39,500 last year, has yielded approximately $260,000 over the past 14 years to support the annual campaigns. This year’s event continued its recent record-breaking streak in 2024 with generous supporters coming together to raise over $50,000, spurred by MAUW Board of Directors member Zach Tomesch’s challenge to shave and donate his hair if that goal was achieved. Hellberg’s Jewelers donated a 14k gold ¼ carat diamond pendant valued at $1250 for raffle, which significantly boosted the amount raised.
The dollars raised at the event highlight the exceptional generosity of many local businesses and individuals. The donated purses and in-kind items made up 56 Live and 65 Silent Auction Items, including luxury and casual purses, art, Iowa and ISU tickets, jewelry, wine, gift cards and more. Platinum Sponsors were GNB Bank and Marshall Glass and Gold Sponsors were ServiceMaster and McGregors Furniture & Mattress. Catalog printing was sponsored by Minuteman and Door Prize purses were sponsored by Phyllis Mazour - State Farm Insurance.
Attendees were treated to champagne, sponsored by Samantha Vance – 1st Rate Real Estate, and enjoyed delicious heavy appetizers prepared by Luisa and Ramon Ortega’s Midnight Garden team and the traditional Wine Pull sponsored by Valerie Bellile, Bankers Advertising, Matt Stalzer, Sampson Songkhamdet, and others.