MANSFIELD – United Way of Richland County dashed its way to its $1.4 million fundraising goal with a game of Monopoly on Friday.
Eight area businesses and nonprofits competed in the oversized game board, renamed Richlandopoly, at the Richland Mall.
Knowing that United Way had already raised 96 percent of its annual goal by Thursday evening, manager of community impact Katie Crall was hopeful about reaching the goal early Friday morning.
“With our dash to goal event at Graham and this (Richlandopoly) going on today – any money from this will be tallied today towards our goal – I’m optimistic,” Crall said. “Everyone really cares about the community here, which is one of the things that makes Richland County great.”
They later met that goal shortly before noon.
Crall explained Haring Realty came up with the giant Monopoly game idea and brought it to life, complete with a 20 by 20-foot game board, oversized playing pieces and a life-size jail cell.
“Haring Realty really thought of everything. They even have a real Ontario Police officer to take you to jail,” Crall said. “They have everything from the giant money cut out to tiny houses.”
Peter Haring, owner of Haring Realty, said the idea to plan a giant monopoly game came from marketing director David Yoder, but he wasn’t sure where or when to hold it.
“Then, Lori Sjostedt got everyone together and said what can we do to support United Way?” Haring said. “David thought this would be a great opportunity to bring this monopoly idea to play.”
All the properties on the board were renamed by sponsors, who also participated in the game. Among the teams were: Hamilton Insurance, Richland Bank, Southern Title, Warren Rupp, Schmidt Security, Haring Realty and the Ohio State Reformatory.
