United Way of Lake County to Benefit from Morris Beverage III’s “Dress up January” Fundraiser
January 11, 2018 – Mentor, OH – Morris Beverage III, President of Lighthouse Advisers in Mentor, is running a month-long fundraiser to benefit United Way of Lake County (UWLC). The fundraiser, dubbed “Dress up January,” was conceived by Beverage due to his passion for giving back and to his aversion for wearing suit jackets and ties.
“I prefer to dress more comfortably and casual for work. Some of my nearest and dearest friends like to make comments regarding my perceived lack of formal attire” states Beverage. “So I decided to demonstrate that I do have a full wardrobe by wearing a tie every business day in January. But I figured if I was making this sacrifice, I should turn it into a fundraiser.”
Last year Beverage raised nearly $5,000 by asking friends, family members, and business associates to sponsor him throughout the month. “My goal this year is to more than double the amount I raised for UWLC last year,” said Beverage. With the help of community, my goal is to raise $10,000 this year,” he said.
At last year’s United Way of Lake County annual meeting, Beverage was presented with “The Power of One” inaugural award, representing the enormous impact one person can make on the lives of others by simply taking action.
According to Jennifer McCarty, President and CEO of UWLC, “Morris took it upon himself to run a one- man fundraising campaign via social media during the month of January 2017 where he raised nearly $5,000 to benefit the work we do to help our community’s most vulnerable residents. That’s one person with one idea, who made it happen in just one month.”
Scott Marn, CFP®, AAMS®, Vice President Investments, of Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. in Mentor, and United Way of Lake County’s 2016 Campaign Chair, had the honor of presenting Beverage with the award. “It takes just one person to make a difference in someone’s life. One person to be the difference between a neighbor having a roof over his or her head or having nowhere to go. One person to be the difference between someone living a stable life or one filled with fright and uncertainty,” said Marn.
“We rely on individuals and organizations that care deeply about community and know that their contributions impact lives in the best way possible to allow us to do the work we do to help people,” said McCarty. “Awarding Morris for his creativity and willingness to go the extra mile for the residents of our community was a real feel-good moment and we are thrilled he’s decided to run his one-man fundraising campaign again this January.”
Aside from increasing his goal to $10,000, Beverage has added a new twist to his personal fundraising campaign. Individual sponsorships were set at $125 and corporate sponsorships were set at $500 per day. Sponsors are allowed to pick out the tie and wardrobe for their donation. But this year, instead of appearing alone in the photos, Beverage has asked that all sponsors dress up with him for their daily record of his progress. Photos of all donors to-date can be found on his Facebook page at www.facebook.com/morris.beverageiii.
“I’m grateful to Morris for his contribution to our campaign. His enthusiasm for giving is palpable and his actions prove that one person really can make a difference,” said Beverage sponsor and UWLC campaign chair, Mark Sutherland, corporate vice president of global communications and public affairs for The Lubrizol Corporation and president of The Lubrizol Foundation.
“One of the reasons I’m running this fundraiser is to show others how simple it is to get involved. I like the fact that my small fundraiser can be combined with so many other generous individuals to achieve the maximum impact in our community which is at the heart of what United Way of Lake County does. United Way of Lake County is the best way to help the most people and I’m proud to support the work they do to help those who cannot help themselves. I especially like that money raised in Lake County stays in Lake County, helping our community’s most vulnerable residents,” said Beverage.
Donations can be made online at uwlc.org/give. Those giving to support Beverage’s fundraising campaign should type “Morris” in the notes section of the online donation form.