BEMIDJI — Setting the pace is an important part of any fundraising campaign and nobody knows that better than the pacesetter businesses for the 2023 Campaign for the Community.
With Lueken’s North hosting a volunteer opportunity on Wednesday, the annual campaign officially launched with a proclamation by Bemidji Mayor Jorge Prince declaring Sept. 20 as “Live United Day” and sharing the news that $263,245.83 had been raised by businesses conducting their workplace campaigns early.
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“Our pacesetter businesses kicked off the campaign fantastically,” Executive Director Denae Alamano said. “It’s an all-time high and a record start for the campaign.”
Alamano noted several ways that businesses raise funds throughout the campaign, which runs through Oct. 31.
“From here, our workplaces open up their own workplace campaigns where they do the fundraising,” Alamano explained. “There’s often a corporate gift involved and then employees can voluntarily donate through payroll deductions, which is where we raise most of our funds.”
Upping the ante from last year, 2023’s fundraising goal is $725,000. Last year’s campaign brought in $701,000, which surpassed 2022’s goal of $675,000.
“The needs are growing in our community,” Alamano said, “and so we’re trying to grow to meet those needs.”
Over 20 local organizations focusing on basic needs, health and education will receive this year’s campaign funds including the Bemidji Community Food Shelf, Bemidji Senior Center, Support Within Reach and Special Olympics Minnesota among others.
Campaign co-chairs
Derek and Brett Leach, owners of Brothers Group Restaurants, have long had a presence at United Way events and programming, and Wednesday’s Backpack Buddies food-packing event was no exception.
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As this year’s campaign co-chairs, the pair was tasked with bringing a certain energy to the campaign in order to recruit more people to help out, receive more donations and grow the United Way in any way they could.
“I hope we can keep that momentum going forward,” Derek said following the news of the record-breaking pacesetter business fundraising. “There’s a lot of excitement and encouragement, and we’re going to continue to push (the campaign) forward, but also just make it fun.”
“Denae was really great about saying ‘I want you guys to bring a fun, new energy and get people excited about this,’” Brett added. “We were excited to be able to do this and make a contribution in a different way.”
The Leach brothers played an instrumental role in starting up a worldwide program that promotes early childhood literacy by mailing age-appropriate books to children every month from birth until their fifth birthday. While the books are free to parents, the United Way covers all costs of the books and postage.
The local chapter, started alongside Alamano, serves children throughout Beltrami, Hubbard and Clearwater Counties. The Leach’s have also collaborated with the United Way to provide Thanksgiving meals to hundreds of low-income families along with work for the Holiday Gifts for Kids program.
“Sometimes, the campaign co-chairs are a couple, sometimes it’s brothers and sometimes it’s just friends, but we really look for people who are active in the community and have a network,” Alamano said. “Derek and Brett have been fantastic partners with us through our programming, so getting them involved in the campaign was a fun way to involve them a bit differently.”
Showing support
Expounding on his support of the United Way, Lueken’s North store director Mike McNiel found it important to open the store’s doors for the annual campaign kick-off since last year’s Backpack Buddies event.
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“They used to do this at the Sanford Center and I said ‘You know what, we have space (at Lueken’s). Let’s just ship it all here, we’ll have tables and we can do the food packing here,’” McNiel recalled, “and it’s worked out very well providing a space.”
Lueken’s is also the presenting sponsor for the United Way Fishing Tournament, has accepted donations for Coats for the Community and hosted the Radiothon to End Child Abuse among other initiatives.
“(The United Way) has been incredible to work with and they really have made a difference since I’ve been in Bemidji,” McNiel said. “This is our way of supporting the community that supports us.”
As the campaign continues forward, the Leach brothers hope to encourage others to show their support in whatever way they can.
“See how you can contribute even if it's something that you may think is insignificant,” Brett said. “Whether it’s a small amount of your time or money, every little bit helps out.”
“You can be selfish with your emotions here because truthfully, when you show up and contribute your time, you feel good about yourself,” Derek added, “so just contribute.”
Alamano noted the annual campaign as yet another chance for the community to come together behind several causes.
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“The fact that we can pool our resources and our people to do something good for others who are in need or going through a hard time,” Alamano left off, “I think it shows the caring power of our community.”
Upcoming events
On Thursday, Sept. 21, the United Way’s Business Blitz will follow up the campaign’s kick-off. Partner agency volunteers will be visiting businesses to discuss the United Way and its impact throughout the Bemidji area, as well as collect donations.
A trap tournament will take place Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Bemidji Trap and Skeet Club with a choice of shooting times at 5, 5:30 or 6 p.m. Registration is $500 per team though a family division rate of $300 is available if one shooter is 18 years or younger.
Restaurant Week will take place Oct. 9-13, and give the public a chance to visit participating area restaurants and businesses on select days to support the campaign.
Movie Days for United Way will take place on Saturday, Oct. 21, and Sunday, Oct. 22, with more details coming soon.
A Women United Tribute Awards ceremony is set for 8:30 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26, in Bemidji State’s Beaux Arts Ballroom of the Upper Hobson Memorial Union.
More information can be found at and on the
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