There’s something beautifully simple about a dunk tank.
Pay a few bucks, throw a ball, watch someone take an unexpected swim. But when that simple setup raises a record-breaking $11,000 for kids who need it? That’s when things get interesting.
The Boys & Girls Club of Marion County just wrapped its third annual Dunk Tank Challenge on August 20, and let’s just say they knocked it out of the park—or into the tank, as it were. Held during Marion’s Third Thursday community festivities, the event brought together local businesses, community leaders, and residents for an evening that proved philanthropy doesn’t have to be stuffy to be effective.
United Federal Credit Union didn’t just show up with a checkbook, though that certainly helped. The credit union matched the first $2,500 in donations, effectively doubling the impact of early contributors and setting the tone for a generous night. Their employees jumped into the festivities (some literally into the tank) and helped spread the word across Marion leading up to the event.
“The Boys & Girls Club of Marion County changes lives every single day,” said Amy Marshall, United’s Marion Branch Manager. “Their commitment to providing a safe, supportive, and encouraging environment for local youth is truly inspiring. United Federal Credit Union is committed to support their mission and stand alongside an organization that does so much to help children build confidence, develop important life skills, and dream bigger for their futures.”
So where does that $11,000 actually go? The funds will support programs that give local youth access to academic support, workforce readiness training, emotional wellness resources, mentorship, and leadership development. In other words, the kind of stuff that helps kids figure out who they want to become while giving them the tools to actually get there.
Leslie Schneider, Regional Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Marion County, perfectly summed up what makes events like this work: “The Dunk Tank Challenge is a wonderful example of what can happen when businesses, community partners, and volunteers come together to invest in our youth. We are especially grateful to United Federal Credit Union for their continued partnership and commitment to making a lasting impact in the community.”
Here’s a detail worth celebrating: the Boys & Girls Club of Marion County is marking 30 years of service to local kids. Three decades of providing safe spaces, caring mentors, and opportunities that help prepare the next generation for whatever comes next. Every dollar from this fundraiser goes directly toward continuing that mission.
Not bad for a night of friendly competition and a few well-aimed throws.