TURIN — While the intent of incoming federal rebate checks is to stimulate the economy, organizers of a Lewis County benefit dinner are seeking people willing to give theirs to charity.
"It's giving your rebate check to the Lewis County community," said Thomas J. Yousey II, volunteer chairman of the Lewis County United Way campaign and executive director of the nonprofit Pratt-Northam Foundation, Lowville.
The event, dubbed "The First (and Last) Great Lewis County Federal Rebate Charity Dinner," will be at 6:30 p.m. May 22 at the Towpath Restaurant. The cost to attend for each individual or couple is $600, the typical economic stimulus rebate amount for individuals.
"We're asking a family of two to donate one of their checks," Mr. Yousey said.
People who donate their checks may each bring one guest, he said.
Pratt-Northam is underwriting the cost of the dinner, so all proceeds will go to charity. Half will go to the 2008 Lewis County United Way campaign, and the other half will benefit a Lewis County agency, service or program as determined by dinner participants.
Space is limited to 100 people, 50 who contribute or pledge $600 and their 50 guests. The goal is to raise $30,000.
Invitations have been sent to people on the United Way mailing list, Mr. Yousey said. "But it's not an exclusive club," he said. "Anyone is welcome."
Those seeking more information on the event or wishing to make reservations are asked to call the United Way of Northern New York office at 788-5631 or, toll free, 1 (888) 968-8929.
"Clubs, agencies, groups or organizations who are committed to raising money for their charitable cause may wish to encourage their members and friends to take advantage of this fund-raising opportunity (stack the deck a bit!)," states a card promoting the event.
"I think that's going to be a fun game," Mr. Yousey said.
He envisions supporters of different charities promoting their causes to the group.
"I know people are enthusiastic about many things they're doing," said Mr. Yousey, who will serve as facilitator of the decision-making process.
The funds could be granted to a nonprofit group so volunteers "don't have to fundraise, at least for a year," he said.
Mr. Yousey said he also has heard five or six "really good ideas" for community projects that could be aided by half of the dinner's proceeds.
"Fifteen thousand dollars can be good seed money for a group that wants to get things started," he said.
While Mr. Yousey envisions all the non-United Way funding going to a single group or project, the money could be split if dinner participants wish to do so.
Each donor, by contributing $300 to the United Way campaign, will automatically be listed as a member of the Urban Karcher Leadership Society.
"I think this event is kind of in the spirit of Urban Karcher, who gave his heart and soul to Lewis County," Mr. Yousey said.
Mr. Karcher, who died in 2003, was county treasurer from 1964 to 1986. He also was a long-time member of the Lewis County Planning Board and the Development Authority of the North Country and Lewis County Industrial Development Agency boards.
Most of the funds raised through the Lewis County United Way campaign will be awarded to county agencies. A total of $71,938 was raised in the 2007 Lewis County campaign, and $61,437 will be awarded among 15 partnering agencies within the county.
Mr. Yousey said he got the idea for the dinner from a story on North Country Public Radio about a Massachusetts township, which still uses a town meeting form of government, that is asking residents to contribute their rebate checks for special projects.
"But there's no dinner involved in Massachusetts," he said.
