SEQUIM — United Way of Clallam County will kick off its 2023-24 fundraising campaign with a Seahawks vs. Lions Watch Party and luncheon on Sunday.
“I think it’s going to be a different event for us,” said Development Director Jaycie Wakefield. “It’s something we haven’t done before.”
During the event, United Way will announce its fundraising goal of $800,000 during the campaign that ends March 31.
The Seahawks vs. Lions Watch party will begin at 10 a.m. Sunday, when the game begins in Detroit, with the audience gathered in the Legend’s Room at the Cedars at Dungeness, 1965 Woodcock Road in Sequim. It will be followed by a celebration lunch at 1 p.m.
Tickets were still available as of Wednesday. They are $80 for individual and $150 for a couple. Tables seating eight people are available for $550. To buy tickets, see https://e.givesmart.com/events/xun.
The watch party will include plenty of game day appetizers, a bar and games such as Golfzilla, a putting competition, and a contest involving throwing a football into a net.
The celebration and luncheon after the game will provide drinks and a taco bar, a United Way presentation and entertainment by Zechariah Valette, a dueling piano player and Seahawks resident pianist, and his drummer.
Audience members can shout out songs to the pianist “and he will be able to play it,” Wakefield said.
All proceeds will help United Way serve more than 36,000 people in Clallam County, Wakefield said.
Raffle tickets will be sold all day with winners announced at the end of the event, expected to be about 3 p.m.
Raffle and silent auction items include Ryan Donato-autographed limited-edition adidas home jersey and Certificate of Authenticity donated by the Seattle Kraken, a $300 value; two Seahawks vs. Commanders tickets on Nov. 12 donated by Tyler Johnson, a $300 value; signed Brian Bosworth Seahawks jersey donated by Corey Delikat, a $175 value; two Huskies vs. Arizona State tickets on Oct. 21 donated by the University of Washington, a $170 value; a football with a laser-printed Pete Carroll autograph donated by the Seattle Seahawks, a $75 value; a half-day whale watching tour from Port Angeles for two donated by Puget Sound Express, a $272 value; a wine and goodies basket donated by Harbinger Winery, valued at $150; and two-hour private sauna session at the Forest Bathing Sanctuary donated by Sea Tsu Sauna, valued at $100.
United Way of Clallam County, which will host other events throughout the year, is now working with employers on an employee giving campaign.
The agency provides funds for 23 nonprofit agencies. Donors also can designate that all of a donation goes to any of the partners or to non-partner agencies. United Way will take a 10 percent fee if the donation is for a non-partner.
Fundraising extends beyond the campaign; people can donate all year long.
For more information, or to become a sponsor, see the United Way website at https://www.unitedwayclallam.org or contact Wakefield at jaycie@unitedwayclallam.org or 360-457-3011.