Thirty-five volunteers huddled under a white tent in downtown Emporia Thursday going from business to business in the United Way of the Flint Hill’s annual business blitz bringing in $11,757.52.
“That’s $1,700 more than last year,” said United Way Director Jami Reever.
The volunteers spent the day going door-to-door in downtown Emporia asking for donations for the United Way. Reever said the money raised shows the willingness of the businesses to support the United Way — and she only expects that total to rise as some businesses asked that the United Way come back in the coming week.
A cloudy, chilly fall day didn’t stop the volunteers, Reever said.
“We were so cold today,” she said. “We were outside for most of it.”
Thanks to the Emporia Arts Council, the group did get to eat lunch indoors in the Arts Council’s building, Reever added.
Throughout the day, the volunteers competed in contests and games including a Ding Dong eating contest and a hula hoop contest.
“It was fun,” Reever said. “It was all about keeping the volunteers motivated.”
An awards ceremony was held at the end of the day for the contest winners, also compliments of downtown businesses.
“So many small businesses donated prizes we could use for our award ceremony,” Reever said.