Second annual bean bag tourney

The Greater Mankato Area United Way began its 2023 Campaign Kickoff with a second annual Waseca Bean Bag Tournament on Thursday, September 15, 2022 at The Mill event center. Cinch Connectivity Solutions was the presenting sponsor, while Thrivent Financial was the supporting sponsor for the event. No donor dollars are used for any United Way event, so these sponsorships are what made the tournament possible. Appetizers were catered by Mis Tres Flores.

The tournament featured eighteen teams, up from eight at last year's inaugural event. Sponsoring a team required a $100 donation; the winning team gets possession of a traveling trophy until the next tournament. County Administrator Michael Johnson emceed the event, explaining the modified rules. In order to ensure the tournament would be finished on schedule, teams were instructed to score as many points as possible within a seven-minute match, rather than competing to reach twenty-one points. Teams who wanted an edge could make an additional donation to the United Way to throw from half-distance. Johnson’s stated goal for the afternoon was to ensure that everyone left with their pockets “a little lighter.”

The Greater Mankato Area United Way, due to increasing need, has raised its fundraising goal this year to $2,150,000, up $90,000 from last year. The charities and organizations that the United Way works with as they seek to provide for people’s basic needs, healthcare, and educational needs are determined democratically by citizens in the area. More than 1,900 Waseca area residents were served by the Greater Mankato Area organization in the past year by eighteen area partner organizations. To donate, find events, or learn more about the local impact of the United Way, visit mankatounitedway.org.