The traditional United Way of Hastings (UWH) annual giving campaign kickoff will be held at Todd Field this year to coincide with the first home Hastings Raiders football game on Thursday, September 1.

‘It’s always a thrill to celebrate the return to school at historic Todd Field and kick off UWH’s annual giving campaign at the first home Raiders football game,’ said Mari E. Mellick, CAE, Executive Director. UWH staff and board members, campaign sponsors, and other representatives will be wearing United Way’s signature LIVE UNITED tshirts and will greet attendees with informational materials on United Way’s Annual Giving theme this year, One Pill Can Kill. Bridgette Norring, who lost her son Devin in 2020, to fentanyl poisoning. Bridgette explains of how her son bought what he thought was a Percocet pain killer off of SnapChat because he had been experiencing pain during covid when doctors’ appointments were cancelled. Devin ingested a pill that had enough fentanyl to kill 10 adults.

Goals of One Pill Can Kill is to build awareness of fentanyl poisonings in the community, reduce the stigma of these deadly overdoses, and provide resources. Information may be found at https://unitedwayofhastings. org/site/onep illcankill/.

The UWH has been the Heart of Hastings for nearly 60 years working as an independent United Way serving Hastings and the surrounding rural communities within Independent School District #200. Its mission is to build partnerships to improve the lives of people in our community. UWH funds local nonprofits servicing people in the Hastings area and funds internal initiatives – all to support Education, Health and Financial Empowerment with an emphasis on Youth. Donations are accepted yearround. For more information about the UWH, visit www.unitedwayofhastings. org.

United Way of Hastings recognizes International Overdose Awareness Day On August 30, 2022, the United Way of Hastings (UWH), in collaboration with the City of Hastings, Confluence Development LLC, and concerned citizens and families, presented a citywide recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD). Held on August 31st every year, IOAD is the world’s largest campaign to end overdose and poisoning deaths, remember those who have died, and acknowledge the pain of family and friends touched by these deaths. The color purple symbolizes the day.

The event was hosted by Confluence Development LLC, the developer of The Confluence project at the former Hudson Manufacturing building in downtown Hastings on 2nd Street East. Participants gathered on the top level of the public parking deck, across the street from The Confluence, for a short education and recognition program. Following that, Confluence Development will light the newly restored cupolas purple in recognition of IOAD.

Hastings Mayor Mary Fasbender presented proclamations recognizing IOAD to families from Hastings and Dakota County, including Mrs. Bridgette Norring and her family. Mrs. Norring’s son, Devin, died of fentanyl poisoning in April 2020, one of several opioidrelated deaths in Hastings over the past 18 months.

This year’s event featured several speakers, including Hastings Police Chief Dave Wilske, Hastings Fire Chief John Townsend, Allina Health addiction counselor Justin Thomas, and Jane NeumillerBustad, the UWH Helping Kids Succeed program manager. Mrs. Norring will also speak, as well as others who have been affected.