Wednesday, Nov. 18, is National Philanthropy Day, and the United Way of Central Kansas is taking it very casually, UWCK Executive Director Julie Bugner-Smith said. The UWCK is sponsoring the second-annual Dress Down the Town benefit to raise funds for the 2016 campaign. 

All businesses in Barton and Pawnee counties are encouraged to dress down. With a $1 donation to United Way, all employees can wear jeans to work. 

“It’s a fun way to engage your employees with an extra perk as well,” Bugner-Smith said. “We are always appreciative of how much the public supports us.”

The money raised will go towards to literacy kits for Barton County students entering kindergarten, Bugner-Smith said.

The basis for the the idea is to see what a difference $1 can make. So, last year, 46 businesses in Barton and Pawnee counties participated.

Employees are given a chance by their employers to wear jeans on Nov. 18, and for their dollar, earn a chance to win a pair of jeans donated by The Buckle in Great Bend.

Every dollar one donated gets them another chance to win. One finalist will be drawn from each business.

Last year, Bugner-Smith said 1,800 people took part. Over $2,000 was raised, with Marmie Motors, followed by Holste & Bowers and Farmers Bank and Trust, raising the most.

“Some businesses are doing a whole jean week,” Smith said. “It has been awesome.”

Bugner-Smith said 99 percent of the money raised goes directly to the 19 agencies UWCK serves. UWCK’s goal this year is $275,000.

For more information or to register, call the UWCK office at 620-792-2403 or visit uwck.org.