Clay County Commission

Dan Haglund

The 2024 United Way campaign kicks off this week and Clay County employee coordinator Rita Rueckert is excited for all the departments’ efforts.
Rueckert and several other volunteers presented the campaign details to the Clay Board Board of Commissioners on Tuesday in Moorhead.
Other Clay County employees assisting with the campaign include: Valerie Meis, Senior Corporate Relations manager; Sarah Mastera, Campaign Cabinet volunteer from Bell Bank; James O’Donnell, Superintendent of Juvenile Detention at West Central Regional Juvenile Center; and Kirstin LePard, Clay County Social Services supervisor.
“There are so many worthy organizations out there that are looking for money to help our citizens here in our community,” Rueckert said. “And to see the time and effort they put into just even preparing their requests is just amazing.”
Rieckert next gave a quick recap of the 2023 campaign.
At the government center, there was a pie social, baked potato bar, guessing penny jars and a chili feed. Those events raised just under $1,000.
The guessing jars started this year as of Monday, Rueckert said. A chili feed is planned for Oct. 16 and a bake sale planned for Oct. 28.
Social Services is planning a bake sale from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 23 as well, after raising more than $1,400 last year on a couple events.
O’Donnell said he and his people at the juvenile center would like to raise $1,000 this year after running a taco bar last year.
“Goals are always good,” Rieckert said. “Last year we set a goal for our county employees at $16,000. We missed it, but hit 88 percent (of the goal). Employee pledges were $10,400. I still feel good about that.”
A school supply drive was held online in July, and more than $750 was collected.
Rueckert said the online fundraising was much easier, as there was no hauling of items around town.
“United Way here in Cass and Clay counties is focused on cultivating solutions and to end poverty,” Mastera said. “So we work and partner with 29 organizations and fund 44 programs that are really helping reduce barriers for people experiencing poverty.”
Mastera says the money raised goes toward transportation, child care, housing, food, and living-wage employment.
“The programs that United Way is investing in are really helping to break that cycle of poverty.” Mastera said. “And really make the biggest, most long-term change for families and children here locally.”
Last year, United Way of Cass-Clay was able to raise about $6.1 million. The bar has been raised to $6.2 million this year.
A couple programs Mastera noted that help with food include REACH Food Pantry in Hawley and Jumpstart Program at Moorhead Area Schools, as well as a great relationship with Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership (CAPLP), Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota and The Village.