One of the biggest community fundraising efforts of the year kicks off on Friday at Moffat County United Way’s $10K Day, a day designed to unite residents in raising funds to help address some of the community’s most critical needs.

“Our goal this year is to raise $460,000 which is $10,000 more than last year,” said United Way Executive Director Amanda Arnold. “All of the funds raised in Moffat County stay here to support local programs and help local people.”

The 2018 campaign kick off is set for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, at Yampa Valley Bank, 435 Mack Lane in Craig.

This is the second year the bank has hosted the $10K Day event at the Craig branch.

“We stand behind the community. We are a community bank. United Way keeps 100 percent of the funds in the community, so we know we are supporting something that stays here to allow our community to grow and thrive,” said Account Representative Ashley Boulware.

The bank will match the first $5,000 in donations, and KS Kreations will provide free soup to those who attend.

“United Way does a lot for our community, and I like giving back to the community, and United Way is a great way to do that,” said Kandee Dilldine, KS Kreations co-owner.

Donations from individuals, businesses and corporations last year helped the organization raise $450,500. It was the first time since 2013 the effort topped $450,000.

“We increased the goal (for 2018), because there is such a need in our community. Last year, we were unable to fund the agencies at the level that we wanted to, so this year, we decided to raise the goal so that we can fund those organizations at a higher level,” Arnold said.

United Way’s Bridges out of Poverty, which helps individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency, is one of the many programs supported.

“The Bridges Out of Poverty program helped me not only be a better person, they helped me learn about budgeting and also about the people who work hard every day to help the community,” said program graduate Valerie Guevara.

Based on data gathered by the United Way, more than 50 nonprofits are expected to receive funds to provide services that help one in every four people in the community.

“Every donation counts, and many small gifts make an enormous difference,” Arnold said.

Contact Sasha Nelson at 970-875-1794 or snelson@CraigDailyPress.com.