ROBERT PIERCE
• Leader & Times
Spring is almost here, and autumn is still a few months away.
The beginning of fall is typically when Seward County United Way hosts its annual chili cookoff in conjunction with the Liberal Chamber of Commerce’s yearly Duck Race Festival. Those dates are still scheduled, but United Way is already building excitement with another giveaway planned for that day.
The cookoff and the Duck Race are scheduled for Sept. 27, and along with the day’s other prizes, SCUW will be giving one lucky winner a chance to drive home in a new 2025 Jeep Wrangler.
United Way Director Patricia Fierro said board members, agencies and some local businesses will have tickets for sale for $5 each or five tickets for $20 for chances to win the vehicle, with all the proceeds going to local agencies to continue supporting the Liberal community.
Fierro said she got the idea from a vehicle raffle done in her hometown.
“It’s something I’ve seen done all my life, and I thought it was a good idea to bring it to Liberal, making the price very reasonable for everyone to be able to purchase,” she said. “I wanted the opportunity to be for everyone and not just some. That’s why we have it at $5 a ticket, and I’m just wishing everybody the best of luck.”
United Way recently began selling tickets for the raffle, and thus far, Fierro said the response has been great.
“People are very excited,” she said. “It’s a great idea. With the fact the price is so reasonable, they are purchasing larger amounts of tickets. It’s a great fundraiser for us this year, and we hope to continue to having this raffle on a yearly basis at the Duck Race.”
With prizes already awarded to winners of the Duck Race and the chili cookoff, the day promises to already have a high level of excitement, and Fierro said by giving away a car, another tremendous amount of excitement will be added to the day’s fun.
“It’ll be a variety of things to do and bringing more things into Liberal that will bring a larger crowd, hoping to bring other people from out of town to join the things we have now,” she said.
Tickets are being sold at the SCUW office in the Conestoga Building and by calling 620-624-5400. Fierro said there are other ways to enter the drawing as well.
“Some local businesses are selling tickets already, and we’re hoping to gain other businesses to sell as well,” she said. “Also our agencies and board members will have tickets. We’ll have signage at the places that will have tickets for sale.”
Unlike other similar drawings, Fierro said winners do not have to be present to win at the chili cookoff, and the drawing is not restricted to Liberal residents.
“It is open to anyone,” she said. “If you’re the lucky person, that’s who’s going to get it, but there’s no restriction to how many you can buy or where you live.”
If the winner is not present, Fierro said they will be notified, and the vehicle will be held for them.
“We will have pictures of the winner taking possession of the vehicle,” she said.
Fierro said she is anticipating a great turnout for the raffle, and United Way officials are hoping the drawing will be a substantial help to SCUW.
“Being so, we’re able to help out more in the community, and that’s our overall goal,” she said.
Fierro was hired as the new director for United Way earlier this year, and she said one of her goals is to have a fundraiser each month. Thus far, she said that plan is going okay.
“I haven’t found a location for my next fundraiser yet,” she said. “It’s going to be a karaoke night.”
For more information about the raffle, reach out to Fierro on Facebook Messenger and at 620-624-5400.
“I’ll be checking messages,” she said. “I’ll return their call if they leave a message. Also they can swing by the office or e-mail me at
Fierro said she is beyond excited for the upcoming raffle.
“It gives me great satisfaction,” she said. “The board and Chrysler Corner were so accepting of my request, and they were very supportive of my vision. To me, that means so much because that means they trust me enough to make something so big happen. Being the first year, the board was a little nervous at first, but as things are unfolding, the excitement was just starting to grow. We’re all very excited to be doing this. The board has those tickets, and they’re really excited.”
Fierro said her time with SCUW thus far has been a blessing for her, and she particularly likes how things have been happening and aligning for her.
“I’ve had great acceptance from the community, and I think a lot of it has to do with my past work and the fact I’m always looking for things to help out in the community and having that trust and belief in the people,” she said. “That just gives me more encouragement to want to continue doing great things and want to continue thinking outside the box and creating new fun things that would allow us to be able to raise funds and provide things for the community as well.”
