In This Edition

Final Days to Double Your Impact With a Gift to Fight Hunger

Hunger is on the rise in Lake County. Did you know that 36% of Lake County households struggle to afford basic needs, including food?

The numbers are heartbreaking. An estimated 29,150 of our neighbors—including 7,140 children and 4,254 seniors—are struggling with food insecurity and uncertain where their next meal will come from.

These aren’t just numbers— they are our neighbors, families, and friends struggling to put food on the table. But you can help. Your gift will be matched when you give now during our 33rd Annual Feed Lake County fundraiser!

Buyers Products Company Is Matching All Donations Through March 31

Now through March 31, every gift you make will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, thanks to the kind folks from Buyers Products Company!

Your gift will result in twice the meals, twice the relief, and twice the hope!  

But time is running out. Please donate now, before March 31, 2025.

For more information on hunger in Lake County and the corporate match, click here.

UWLC President & CEO Dione DeMitro (right) presents contest winner AnDao Silbaugh of Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa with the Best Dressed Award.

Shamrocks, Shenanigans & Support!

The luck of the Irish was in full swing during phase one of our largest annual fundraiser. Our Celebrity Server event was held on March 13, where nearly 500 guests gathered at the American-Croatian Lodge in Eastlake for a lively afternoon of fun, fundraising, and festive St. Patrick’s Day cheer!

An Irish lunch of corned beef and cabbage with all the fixings was served, along with pasta and chicken. Guests also made a mad dash to our Table O’Sweets, where the quickest had first pick of a large variety of cakes, cupcakes, and confections—donated by local bakeries and restaurants—in exchange for donations. Story continues below the photos.

Celebrity Servers Bring the Laughs – and the Tips!

A highlight of the event was the Celebrity Servers, who were pulling out all the stops to earn the most tips from the guests at their tables. From singing and dancing to spilling embarrassing secrets, our servers went above and beyond to support our cause. One server's guests even had him playfully escorted out of the venue by the "police" to earn their tips, which also served as 'bail money' to free him! In the end, it was Willoughby Hills Mayor Chris Hallum who was crowned the Top Celebrity Server tip earner and was awarded a handcrafted shamrock medal, designed by the talented team at the Madison Public Library’s Create Space.

Raffles, Games & Shenanigans Galore!

The fundraiser also featured an impressive lineup of raffle baskets, with prizes ranging from Guardians tickets and an Ohio Wine Country getaway to a 55” Smart TV, a $750 owner/chef-prepared five-course dinner for six at Bistro 70, and much more!

Guests also tested their luck with a 50/50 raffle, a wheelbarrow of booze containing over one-thousand dollars in spirits, human slot machine shenanigans for a little casino-style fun, and a wine pull where every bottle was wrapped with a surprise gift card or raffle tickets. And in our Heads or Tails beads game, the final two contestants decided to split the prize of $1,200 in restaurant gift cards rather than risk walking away with nothing! Now that's a stroke of Irish wisdom—why chase a pot of gold when you can share the treasure?

Meanwhile, AnDao Silbaugh, master stylist at Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa, stole the show with her over-the-top leprechaun attire, earning the Best Dressed “Pot O’ Gold” Trophy—another creative masterpiece from Madison Public Library. Also in attendance from Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa, were owners Ed and Nancy Brown, our fantastic Campaign Co-Chairs!

A Community That Cares – A Message of Hope

Before announcing the raffle winners, our President & CEO, Dione DeMitro, took a moment to highlight the purpose of the event and the meaningful impact of everyone's support.

“We associate St. Patrick’s Day with the luck of the Irish. But today, people feel lucky because of you. The individuals having lunch at the Salvation Army, the families safe from domestic violence at Forbes House, the kids who have mentors through Torchlight and access to the YMCA—all of this is possible because of your generosity. Together, we are building a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” said DeMitro.

Upcoming Online Raffle

The fun isn’t over yet! Phase two of our two-part fundraiser kicks off April 8, with two back-to-back online raffles packed with even more amazing prizes. Keep an eye out for more details!

News & Notes

Countdown to Win - Two Exciting Raffles End Soon!

Enter Now for a Chance to Win $10,000 Cash and/or a Lifetime of FREE Monthly Services from Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa (Mentor & Lyndhurst)!

Our friends at Mentor Nissan and Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa (located in Mentor and Legacy Village in Lyndhurst) believe in our mission and have gifted us with these amazing raffle prizes! All proceeds will benefit Lake County's most vulnerable residents through our Community Impact Fund.

Enter to Win $10,000 Cash Compliments of Mentor Nissan!

AND/OR

Enter to Win One Free Service Per Month FOR LIFE Compliments of Ladies & Gentlemen Salon and Spa!

Services include haircuts and styling, formal styling, manicures, pedicures, facials, relaxation massages, and men's cuts! The prize is non-transferable. You must be 18 years or older to purchase entries. 

Complete contest rules are available at uwlc.org/salon.

Get your raffle entry tickets here now! 

Save the Date: Annual Meeting & Campaign Kickoff 

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

We’re excited to announce that for the first time ever, our Annual Meeting will be combined with the launch of our Campaign Kickoff! Mark your calendars for Wednesday, May 28, and join us for highlights from the past year, the impact we have made together, special acknowledgment of our volunteers, supporters, and advocates, and the kickoff to our 2025 Campaign!

Stay tuned for additional details!

Our 33rd Annual Day of Caring - Wednesday, June 18th!

Now Accepting Project Submissions & Seeking Volunteers to Adopt Projects

We are now accepting project submissions from Lake County nonprofits for initiatives such as cleaning, organizing, indoor and outdoor painting, weeding, hedge trimming, power washing, spreading mulch, planting flowers, and hosting social events like picnics, ice cream socials, and game days for children and seniors.

We are also looking for volunteers from local organizations, groups, and individuals to select from and "adopt" project submissions.

Interested in submitting a project or volunteering? You can do so right here on our website! Questions? Feel free to contact David Whittaker at dwhittaker@uwlc.org or by calling 440-639-1203.

Small Business United (SBU)

Join the Movement

If you are a small business owner, you, more than anyone, understand that a strong, healthy community is good for business. You know the impact of shopping local—how it strengthens your business, our local economy and supports your fellow business owners. That same idea applies to giving local, which is where our Small Business United (SBU) membership comes in. Every dollar raised through this program stays right here in Lake County, helping our local friends and neighbors in need. If you're looking for a simple, budget-friendly way to make a meaningful impact, SBU is the perfect fit for you!

Learn more about our SBU program now!