Raising Some Loot

Raising Some Loot
     "Do what you love to do and find a way to raise money for charity doing it."
     That's what all members of Western Catholic Union are encouraged to do.  Recently WCU Director of Fraternal Activities and Communications Steve Looten put those words into action.
     Since the entire Quincy, Illinois, area spent the summer of 2008 fighting the flood threats of the Mississippi River, the local chapter of the Red Cross needed a successful fundraising campaign this winter to help prepare for the next disaster.
     Many Red Cross chapters nationwide need support.  Most not only provide assistance during national disasters (like floods and tornadoes), but are often first on the scene to help families deal with a sudden personal disaster.  In addition, the American Red Cross provides one-half of the world's blood supply.   Help is needed to support them.
     So Steve put some pieces together to create a successful fund drive, and he fell back on his former career as a TV sportscaster.  His campaign was called "Raise Some Loot for Red Cross."
     He offered his services to a local station to represent them at the four schools in Quincy, four nights in a row, shoot their basketball game highlights, and re-appear on the 10:00 o'clock news providing all the highlights of that night's game.  Prior to the game, Steve and other members of the Western Catholic Union in Quincy received donations to the Adams County Red Cross.
     It was a fun promotional campaign for KHQA-TV, a number of local businesses joined in, WCU members enjoyed a highly-visible fundraiser in their community, and more than $3,000 was raised, with more expected.
     The formula is simple-"do what you love to do and find a way to raise money for charity doing it."