WARREN United Way to raffle off gift basket

The idea for the basket came from a donation a few years ago.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- On a tight budget and not sure what to get the person who has everything? How about a chance at a gift basket valued at more than $3,000?
The United Way of Trumbull County is raffling off a gift basket with items suitable for everyone in the family, said Christopher J. Malanga, director of communications for the nonprofit agency. Chances for the raffle -- which will take place Wednesday at the Campaign 2003 Progress Report at Leo's Ristorante in Howland -- are $1 each, or six for $5.
Tickets are available through Wednesday at the United Way offices, 3601 Youngstown Road S.E., Warren.
"There are some real biggie prizes in the basket," Malanga said.
Major prizes featured in the basket include an overnight stay and dinner for two at the Avalon Inn and Resort; dinner, breakfast and an overnight stay for two at Mountaineer Resort in Chester, W.Va.; and a golf package at Avalon Lakes Golf Course featuring greens fees and a cart for four.
"There's also restaurant gift certificates from eateries all over the county, sports memorabilia from the Browns and the Indians, a DVD player, grocery store vouchers, lottery tickets, memberships to some of the United Way agencies, and more," Malanga added.
Fund-raising idea
The idea for the basket and new way of raising money for a United Way campaign came after the agency received a donation of a blanket chest basket from Henn Workshops a few years ago, Malanga explained.
"We started thinking about what we could do with it, and we came up with filling it with prizes and raffling it off," he said. "At first, we wanted to go for a theme, but we had some trouble with figuring out one theme, so we decided to make it a 'mystery' basket."
Originally, United Way volunteers were keeping the contents of the container a secret, only revealing its value, he said. But, in an effort to get more interest in the raffle, officials decided to let the cat out of the bag -- or the prizes out of the basket, so to speak.
Malanga said the idea was just one more way United Way of Trumbull County officials are making it easier for residents to make contributions to help benefit 29 health and human-service agencies throughout the county. Those agencies, in turn, provide more than 140 programs to 137,000 individuals each year.
New approach
The new fund-raiser is reflective of the new approach United Way took this year; rather than strictly act as a clearing house for donations to local agencies, United Way is concentrating its efforts on services that strengthen families, enrich the lives of seniors, promote health and wellness, provide emergency services and more.
Officials will update its efforts to date at the progress report, set for 5:15 p.m. Wednesday at Leo's, 7042 E. Market St., Howland. Dinner can be purchased for $15, and hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar will be available, Malanga said.
For information on the dinner or to make a contribution to United Way of Trumbull County, call (330) 369-1000.
slshaulis@vindy.com