United Way hosting Treasure Hunt Fundraiser May 13

The United Way of Jasper County recently allocated $226,000 to nonprofit agencies to help provide health and human service programs to area residents. The work has already begun to raise money for 2018 allocations with a new fundraiser.

The UWJC Treasure Hunt Fundraiser is set for 7 p.m. May 13 at Westwood Golf Course in Newton. The event, which is sponsored by Edward Jones offices in Newton, Newton Clinic and Willowbrook — A Wesley Life Adult Day Center, is for adults 21 and older.

“The United Way of Jasper County continues to look for new ways to raise awareness, raise funds and engage people in our cause,” said Jessica Lowe, UWJC executive director. “The treasure hunt may pique the interest of someone who has never heard of United Way before and by them participating it means one more person is aware of what we are doing to help those in need in Jasper County.”

The treasure hunt will feature more than a hundred prizes. Certificates for the prizes will be placed into small gold-colored chests, and treasure hunters will be able to search a designated area at Westwood. Each participant will try to grab as many chests as they can until all are collected or the time runs out. The timed hunt will begin at 7:30 p.m.

“Think adult Easter egg hunt,” said Lowe of how the fundraiser will operate. “We have prizes from cash to a TV and everything in between. I aimed at getting prizes that would be things adults would like to win.”

Some of the top prizes include a Toro push lawn mower donated by an anonymous supporter, a two-burner gas grill donated by Theisen’s in Newton and a 32-inch TV donated by the United Way. Other prizes include gift cards and gift certificates, T-shirts, lottery scratch off tickets, cash, jewelry and tickets to events.

“The idea that you can win such awesome prizes and the money goes to a good cause made it an easy choice to get my ticket,” said Emily Thomason of Newton, who was the first person to purchase a ticket for the event. “It just sounds like a really fun event to be a part of I didn’t want to miss out.”

Each prize is valued from $5 to $500, and most have been donated by area businesses, including Anytime Fitness, Beckman Gallery, Book Trader Tan America, Buena Vista University, Burrito Torpedo, Cappy’s Tire & Auto, Cardinal Corner, Cardinal Lanes, Casey’s General Store, Culver’s, Domino’s Pizza, Fine Things Reclaimed, Gateway Recreation, Goldie’s Ice Cream Shoppe, Hot Rod’s Underground Lounge, Hy-Vee, Iowa Speedway, Jersey Freeze,  John Lee Photography, Johnson Aviation, KCOB 95.9FM/Energy 106.7 FM, LaCabana Mexican Restaurant, Mattingly Books & Music, Maytag Dairy Farm, Maytag Pool, NBBS Salon, Newton Chamber of Commerce, Newton Daily News, Newton YMCA, Okoboji Grill, Pit Stop Liquors, Silverado Jewelry, Taco John’s, Theisen’s, Walmart and Westwood Golf Course.

“Everyone from our sponsors to the businesses donating prizes have been so supportive,” Lowe said. “Once again the businesses in Jasper County have been extremely generous with helping the United Way.”

Tickets are available from UWJC staff and board members or at https://tikly.co/events/1911. Cost is $20 per person until May 12 or $25 per person day of the event. All proceeds support the United Way. The event is rain or shine so participants should dress accordingly and bring a flashlight if they want to in helping them locate treasure chests.

“This is something completely different for the United Way,” Lowe said “I liked the idea of a fun outing where adults get to win some cool prizes. If I wasn’t organizing the treasure hunt I’d be buying a ticket and participating.”