An innovative way to raise funds has resulted in a nice donation for the Salina Area United Way's COVID-19 Relief Fund.
In April, Tony’s Pizza Events Center and Great Plains Manufacturing announced that they were teaming up to provide tickets to the most important event ever – STAY AT HOME: Save A Life Tour!
Tony’s Pizza Events Center created a limited-edition STAY AT HOME: Save a Life Tour ticket that was available on its website for $10. For each ticket purchased, Great Plains Manufacturing agreed to match the donation up to $5,000. Both Tony’s Pizza Events Center and Great Plains Manufacturing indicated at the time of the announcement that they would donate 100 percent of the proceeds to the Salina Area United Way’s COVID-19 Relief Fund.
This week, checks totaling $3,700 were presented to Claire Mullen, executive director of the Salina Area United Way. A total of 185 tickets were sold, according to information provided by the Salina Area United Way.
"No one could have imagined the toll that COVID-19 would take on our communities, said Mullen. "However, our communities banded together during this time of need. It is so important to help our community partners who are serving those directly affected by the pandemic so that support services continue."
"COVID-19 has had a tremendous impact on our community and the Salina Area United Way's COVID-19 Relief Fund was a much-needed emergency resource for those in need. We were thrilled that Great Plains Manufacturing partnered with us to match all funds raised from ticket sales for the Stay at Home: Save a Life Tour," said Marjorie Anderson, director of sales and marketing for Tony’s Pizza Event Center.
As of June 1, 27 community partners throughout north-central Kansas have applied and received grants through the Salina Area United Way COVID-19 Relief Fund, according to the organization. These grants have helped provide food assistance, purchase personal protective equipment, assist individuals with rent, utilities, and gas, just to name a few.