ROBERT PIERCE
• Leader & Times
With Valentine’s Day coming up soon, couples are looking for ways to take advantage of the love in the air.
Seward County United Way has two opportunities in early February to help the cause, one of which is a giveaway for a fun night for one lucky person.
Prior to that, though, SCUW is starting its Valentines Rose Distribution, with roses in vases being sold for $12 each. United Way Director Patricia Fierro said the goal of this fundraiser was to keep a romantic gesture simple.
“It can be sent out,” she said. “Deliveries are free within Liberal, but anything outside of the city limits, there could be a potential charge. It’s a great idea for coworkers, kids in school, mothers and fathers giving a rose to their child at school or to each other, bosses giving them to their employees.”
All of the money received from the fundraiser goes to support SCUW’s agencies.
“It’s a nice way of giving back to the community in addition to giving a nice gift for Valentine’s Day,” Fierro said.
Sales of roses has already started and will continue through Feb. 10, with deliveries being made Valentine’s Day. Orders can be made at United Way’s office in the Conestoga Building, by calling 620-624-5400 or messaging SCUW on Facebook Messenger.
“We’ll get back with you,” Fierro said. “If I am not in the office, they can leave a message. I do return phone calls usually within 24 hours. We are only accepting cash and check, and we’ll give them a receipt.”
Fierro said the rose distribution is both a great and inexpensive way to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
“Sometimes, we want to send a little message to a crush, but we don’t know in what way to approach it,” she said. “Having somebody deliver a rose anonymously would be really sweet. We’re delivering, so it could be a nice little token.”
Fierro thanked Bank of the Plains for their support and help with the cost of the fundraiser.
As far as the giveaway is concerned, Fierro said all participants need to do is follow the Seward County United Way Facebook page, like the original giveaway post and share it, and they will automatically be entered into a drawing. A winner will be announced Feb. 12.
The winner will get a romantic evening for two which consists of a night’s stay at Hampton Inn, dinner for two at Neaves Steakbar, roses and chocolate covered strawberries from Chicas Fresas, a gift certificate to Legaxy Liquor, a gift certificate to Ruano’s Boutique, a haircut and style for her at Expressions Salon, a haircut for him at Diligence Barber Lounge and a photo shoot from EM Photography.
“It’s a really nice giveaway,” Fierro said. “We’re trying to let the community know we’re there. We’re wanting to do some fun things for them as well. It’s a great way to bring our community together.”
Fierro said local businesses have been very supportive in making the giveaway possible.
“We’re going to continue bringing new promotions and giveaways throughout the whole year,” she said. “Keep following us on Facebook. There’s a lot of fun things, a lot of interactive and a lot of fun ideas coming through. We’re really excited about all that.”
Fierro said with the recent hire of herself as director and new Board President Nathan Hartnett, SCUW is in a great state at this time.
“The executive board is additionally pumped,” Fierro said. “We’ve got lots of open communication, ideas. I’m very glad they’re supportive of my ideas and the fact we’re already starting to work on it. We’re already starting to see the changes.”
Fierro said the SCUW Facebook page has grown in followers with the announcement of promotions, and the plan is to continue that growth and getting United Way’s message out to more of the community.
“That’s something that was missing, and we weren’t out there as much,” she said. “Every opportunity we see, we’re going to be out there. I want our name to be out there, knowing we’re here to help. A lot people don’t understand exactly what United Way does, and being able to tell them and explain to them, having our agencies with us as well, showing our support is really good. With all of us working together, it’s going to make a big difference.”
