Red Cross fundraiser changes at Hy-Vee
By JENNIFER DITLEVSON HAGLUND Staff writer
Angie Springs, executive director of the Midland Empire Chapter of the American Red Cross, and Hy-Vee Store Director Travis Buysee partnered to bring a new way to raise funds for the Red Cross. Beginning this week, Hy-Vee will commit 50 cents for every purchase of a 12-inch decorated cookie. Next week, the same amount will go to the Red Cross for any 12-count box of any variety of Hy-Vee cookies.
Maryville Hy-Vee has raised funds for the American Red Cross of Northwest Missouri before, but this year new store director Travis Buysee will be trying a different strategy to potentially bring in more money.
In the past, cashiers asked shoppers at the checkout line if they would like to round the total cost of their groceries to the nearest dollar.
Round-up fundraisers, Buysee said, can be tricky because they require asking every customer for money, which can make them feel awkward when they decline.
“Our shoppers already give us so much,” Buysee said. “I didn’t want to ask for more.”
Instead, Buysee decided to make use of big sellers at the store’s bakery. Beginning today, Hy-Vee will commit 50 cents from every purchase of a featured item. This week, any 12-inch decorated cookie will be included in the promotion, and next week, any purchase of 12-count boxes of Hy-Vee cookies will benefit the Red Cross.
Buysee said he chose cookies for the promotion because they’re already a high-volume item for the store, so it’s not asking customers to buy anything out of the ordinary.
The fundraiser is scheduled to last two weeks, but Buysee said he’s willing to see how things go and extend it if necessary.
Angie Springs, executive director of the Midland Empire Chapter of the American Red Cross, said people don’t always know how the organization helps in emergencies. In response to house fires, the organization provides food, clothing, shelter, medications, and eyeglasses. After covering the necessities for victims, the Red Cross gives them money so they can replace some of their belongings.
“We want to put that control back into our clients’ hands,” Springs said.
The Red Cross is not federally funded, but they are congressionally charged to respond within two hours of a disaster.
“We need to raise money so we can respond at 3 a.m., and be there immediately,” said Springs.
Those who would like to donate to the Red Cross, instead of- or in addition to- purchasing cookies, may leave contributions at the customer service desk.
“Every donation, no matter how big or small, is important,” said Springs.
According to Springs, $5 pays for a stuffed animal that will be given to a child after his or her home has been destroyed, and $1,650 will send a national responder to an area of critical need.
Money earned from the donations will stay in the 18 counties that the Red Cross of Northwest Missouri serves.
