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Kick-off party to launch 5th annual 'Spring It On' fundraising campaign

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Mon, Mar 13th 2017 11:15 am

Event to be held at Big Ditch Brewing Co.

More than 150 nonprofits to participate in United Way of Buffalo & Erie County's annual online fundraiser March 14-15

Participating nonprofit organizations, their boards and individual donors will help kick off the fifth annual "Spring It On," a 24-hour online fundraising event powered by the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County that takes place March 14-15. A kickoff happy hour event will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Big Ditch Brewing Co., 55 E. Huron St., Buffalo. It is free and open to the public.

"Spring It On" will formally begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday and continue until 6 p.m. Wednesday.

The fundraiser at Big Ditch will include raffles prizes, a countdown to the launch, the opportunity to donate online, refreshments and a cash bar. Those who make a donation at the event will be eligible to win prizes.

The United Way has provided the online giving platform to nonprofits of all types and sizes since 2013, providing a cost-effective, one-day boost to raising critical funds to advance mission, while highlighting the significant contributions made by the variety of nonprofit organizations in this community.

The kick-off event is held in partnership with Next Generation United, a group of millennials who seek to involve younger donors in philanthropy and engage them in improving the community through service, collaboration, accountability and innovation.

"Spring It On" includes participating organizations in Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Allegany and Orleans counties. Over the past four years, more than $500,000 has been raised to support nearly 250 agencies serving diverse populations. Last year, 1,700 donors contributed more than $132,000 to support their favorite agencies.

Michael Weiner, president and CEO of the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, said, "At a time when many individuals are searching for a way to demonstrate support for specific causes or populations, 'Spring It On' provides a one-stop way to donate to a diverse group of organizations, including those that support refugees, seniors, women's health, animals, youth and much more. Now in our fifth year, we have found 'Spring It On' to be successful in reaching potential donors online and in raising the profile of many smaller agencies that do not always have the financial means to launch this type of campaign on their own."

As in previous years, the focus of the event is to mobilize citizens for a single day of giving to strengthen and support the community. Individuals can make a one-time, secure, online donation to the local not-for-profit agency of their choice through a specially designed website, www.springiton.org.

"Spring It On" updates will be posted throughout the event on the Facebook and Twitter pages of many of the participating nonprofits, as well as on United Way of Buffalo & Erie County's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/uwbec) and Twitter account (@uwbec) via #SpringItOnWNY. For more information, visit www.springiton.org.

For 100 years, the United Way of Buffalo & Erie County has worked to unite the community to improve the health, education and financial stability of every person in every part of Erie County. United Way of Buffalo & Erie County mobilizes thousands of people every year to give, advocate and volunteer to help children reach their full potential, families achieve financial stability, and our the community attain and maintain good health and wellness. For more information, visit www.uwbec.org.

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