Crescent-News.com - Several activities kick off UW event

By LISA NICELY

nicely@crescent-news.com

The sheriff will be in a dunk tank.

So will several other Defiance County officials and corporation heads as United Way of Defiance County will hold a kick-off event on Friday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the State Bank and Trust plaza at Clinton and Fourth streets.

The kick off will feature fun activities to start the annual campaign. This year's goal is raise $370,000 to benefit 41 programs through 30 agencies serving county residents.

The kick off is aimed at being an entertaining event open to the community.

"It's going to be fun," said Carrie Wetstein, United Way executive director. "We invite everyone to come down and have a hot dog or hamburger during lunch. It's all for a free-will offering. By all means join in with the dunk tank. You can watch the executive car wash, too."

Among the activities are a dunk tank with several Defiance County residents risking being dunked by individuals. The dunk tank costs $2 a ball or $3 for five balls, with proceeds benefiting United Way.

At 11 a.m., Leandra Hutchinson of Defiance Regional Medical Center will be in the tank, followed at 11:30 a.m. by Tim Small, Defiance Area Chamber of Commerce president.

At noon, Sheriff Dave Westrick will take the post followed by Mark Klein, president and CEO of the State Bank and Trust at 12:30 p.m. Cindy Mack, executive director of the Defiance Development and Visitors Bureau, will be in the hot seat at 1 p.m.

"I was so pleased they agreed to do it," Wetstein said of the dunk tank volunteers.

Other activities also are planned.

From 10 a.m.-12 p.m. will be a live remote by Rick Small.

Food will be available from 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

The menu includes hot dogs, hamburgers, chips and soda for a free-will donation. Slushes will be available for a donation as well.

The State Bank and Trust will hold its annual executive car wash, in which State Bank executives wash cars for a free-will donation.

The kick off activities were made possible by the State Bank and Trust, Butler Mohr Realty, Stykemain Pontiac-Buick-GMC and 98.1 FM.

Wetstein said she hopes everyone can come out and take part in the kick-off activities.

"It's for a great cause and it's benefiting our community," she said.

For more information on United Way or to donate to the campaign, call 419-782-3510.