CINCINNATI (WKRC) - The coronavirus pandemic is forcing local nonprofits and charities to get creative with how they raise money.
Every year, the Heart Mini brings in millions for the American Heart Association. But this year, organizers had to get creative when the pandemic canceled the annual run.
"We have so many folks who are susceptible or highly susceptible to COVID that might be stroke survivors or cardiovascular disease survivors and so we don't want to put anybody at risk", said Alex Carson, senior Heart Mini director. "We said, we're gonna try this virtual thing out."
The goal was to raise $3.865 million. Right now, they're at about $3.26 million. So, the virtual run was a success.
It'll be the same for the 15th annual Matt Haverkamp 5K. That's one of the biggest fundraisers for the organization which funds dogs that do anything from finding bombs, drugs and missing people.
The non-profit has bought 70 police dogs for departments from Northern Kentucky up to Dayton.
This year, the organization is asking people to run outside or on a treadmill and record their time with an app.
"This year, it's just taken a crazy turn," adds Heather Lane with the Matt Haverkamp Foundation. "We're trying to do the best that we can because the police still need our support. They still need these dogs to be out on the street."
The United Way has been helping charities get around the challenges by advancing a month of funding to more than 140 charities and non-profits.
It's also helping with whether non-profits will have to layoff staff. "Because some of them were worried about, you know, how is this going to impact the business, what does this mean for us? Can we meet payroll?"
The charities are willing to make the adjustment to continue helping the community.
