MARSHALL - Sometimes it only takes a minute to help children in your community. The "Minute to Win It" fundraiser being planned by the Marshall Area Kiwanis is definitely one of those times.
Kiwanis is looking for teams of people to participate in the fundraising event, which will be held on Feb. 18 at West Side Elementary in Marshall.
"We're looking forward to it. It's sort of a kickoff," for the Marshall area group, said Ben Martig, president of Marshall Area Kiwanis. The local Kiwanis group was chartered in 2011, and hopes to raise money to support youth programs and service projects it has planned for this year.
Martig said the group has so far gotten a good response of teams from local business, but "We've still got plenty of spaces available."
The "Minute to Win It" challenge is inspired by the game show of the same name, where contestants are given 60 seconds in which to complete a game or challenge using everyday objects.
"We wanted to do something that not only was going to raise money for service projects, but ideally something that kids can get involved with, too," Martig said. Martig and Marshall Area Kiwanis secretary Shelly Hasch said the idea for the 60-second challenges came from Allan Bakke at Western Community Action. The games seemed like a good fit.
"It's quick games that people can play pretty easily, and not take a whole day," Hasch said.
Teams of five people are needed to participate in the event. Both adults and kids can compete - Kiwanis is also encouraging people to "sponsor" a youth team if they can't participate themselves. The teams can then pick a time slot on the morning of Feb. 18 to compete.
Team members will compete in a total of five different activities, Hasch said. "You come in, and it will probably take about five minutes." Spectators are also encouraged to come and cheer their favorite team on.
The great thing about the fundraiser, Hasch said, is that the money raised through team registration fees will go back to the community, through youth programs and other Kiwanis projects.
This year, Marshall Area Kiwanis is planning community service projects including helping to coordinate the Festival of Kites during Marshall's Fourth of July Celebrations, and working with local public and private schools to implement character-building and academic programs.
The team that places first in the Minute to Win It competition will get to choose their favorite area youth organization to receive a $200 donation.
The top five individual competitors will also receive a prize of a $100 gift card donated by Marshall Hy-Vee.
The cost to register a team for the Minute to Win It challenge is $100. Registration forms are available at the Hy-Vee customer service counter, Hasch said.