November 19, 1998
'Big Cheeses' cut the mustard
By Garret Leiva
Herald staff writer
Any way you slice it, United Way of Northwest Michigan's "Big Cheese" fund-raiser volunteers once again proved how much they relish the opportunity to cut the mustard.
More than 30 local bosses, mucky-mucks, head honchos - or "Big Cheeses" - helped raise $2,000 for the United Way Community Fund during the second annual "Big Cheese" Day held on Thursday.
These area community and business leaders helped staff all five area Burger King restaurants during the lunch rush from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and the dinner crowd from 5 to 7 p.m. Working in shifts of four, the "Big Cheeses" handed out discount coupons and sold cheeseburgers for the United Way campaign.
"This fund-raiser is a good opportunity to have fun with an event and also pat a lot of community leaders on the back for the work they have done," said United Way Development Director, Lisa Bracey, who helped out at the U.S. 31 South Burger King near Meijer.
Also benefiting from the fund-raiser were several hundred hungry stomachs.
Fifty cents of each Big King Value Meal ordered with a coupon was donated to the United Way by the Casciano Family, owners of the local Burger King franchise.
Under the Targeted United Way Community Fund, the Cascianos - who posted a matching fund for the number of certificates turned in - chose to have the $2,000 earmarked for a youth development initiative program, noted Bracey. Other goals under the specific community fund include promoting economic self-sufficiency while maintaining basic needs and overcoming crisis, violence and substance abuse.
A big cheese with the United Way, board member Roger Adkins noted that the day-long event not only raises funds, but awareness as well.
"This is a way of getting United Way out in the public eye and let others know that we're here, we're active," said Adkins, who passed out coupons in the drive-thru line at the Chum's Corner Burger King restaurant.
"Right now, United Way is trying to pick up the slack in a lot of ways because so many government funds have been reduced. We're trying to help those that really need it, in a way that makes a difference."
Among the other "Big Cheeses" looking to make a difference were City Clerk, Debra Curtis and local radio station owner, Jack O'Malley. Passing out coupons during the lunch crowd, both Curtis and O'Malley found their first-year fund-raising effort a 'Grade A' experience.
"I think United Way is terrific and this is our little way of contributing. I thought this would be a fun day - a different sort of fund-raiser," said Curtis, who wryly noted that when it comes to being boss, sharp cheddar best embodies her managerial style.
While more of "an ole' American cheese" kind of guy, O'Malley concurred with his coupon-passing partner about the value of the "Big Cheese" benefit.
"Raising money is so difficult these days with so many worthy causes. But the United Way does a great job of finding inventive ways and this certainly is a unique way to get people to raise funds."