Gruffalo Walk Fundraiser Raises $4,783 for United Way’s Stuff the Bus Initiative

MARSHALL — The United Way of Southwest Minnesota concluded their Gruffalo Walk Fundraiser for its Stuff the Bus Initiative. Troy Deutz from Deutz Realty Group and Aaron Ziemer from Marshall Radio competed to raise funds that will be used to purchase school supplies for area school districts and their students. Whomever raised fewer funds would have to walk down the streets of Marshall wearing a Gruffalo costume. After the noon deadline on Thursday, a tie was announced as both Troy and Aaron raised exactly $2,391.73 each, totaling $4,783.46.  

Meg Louwagie, CEO of United Way of Southwest Minnesota says, “Last year we did have a 48% increase in need and eligibility. We ended up supplying over 60,000 school supplies to 4,500 students throughout those 23 schools.” 

Both Troy and Aaron started the trek from Deutz Realty Group with Troy donning the Gruffalo costume first, then Aaron wore it the rest of the way from the Redwood River to the Wooden Nickel. For more information about the United Way of Southwest Minnesota, go to unitedwayswmn.org