A local chapter of a worldwide community organization is finishing up its annual fundraising event with a virtual celebration on Thursday Nov. 12.
Kishwaukee United Way’s fundraising event “Taste: Bottles & Brews” went online this year.
The silent auction started Nov. 5. Gretchen Sprinkle is the executive director of Kishwaukee United Way. She explained that more bidders joined the online format than had for in-person auctions held in past years, but said fundraising this year hasn’t been easy.
“It is harder, and we aren't meeting with people in person. It's harder to make those connections. But all things considered where we're doing well,” she said. “And you know, we're just navigating the changes like everyone else.”
Sprinkle said several businesses donated for this auction.
“We have a basket from Wired Nutrition and Studio One. And we also have some bigger items like an overnight stay in Galena, Illinois and a custom team building workshop with Adventure Works.”
The Zoom event takes place from 6-8 p.m. Sprinkle added that Genoa musician Mark Walters will perform, and DeKalb’s Byers Brewing Company will walk participants through the beer tasting. More information can be found on the Kishwaukee United Way website.
- Yvonne Boose is a 2020 corps member for Report for America, an initiative of the GroundTruth Project. It's a national service program that places talented journalists in local newsrooms like WNIJ. You can learn more about Report for America at wnij.org.
