By Patrick Baron

PONTIAC – The United Way of Livingston County is preparing to shake and stir small martinis for a fundraiser this month.

The Tiny Martini Tasting event taking place at 6 p.m. on July 25. The event will be hosted by Baby Bull’s on West Reynolds Street. Speaking with WJEZ’s Cat Coppinger, United Way of Livingston County Executive Director Deb Howard said fundraisers are crucial to the organization these days.

“The agencies keep requiring more, they need more,” Howard explained. “We can always use more money and we can’t just depend on the checks to come rolling in anymore, so we’re doing some cute fundraising ideas.”

Howard said one fundraiser that brings in both money and fun is the Tiny Martini Tasting. She said people can buy raffle tickets for a prize of up to $2,000. Of that, $1,000 goes to the winner while the remainder goes to cover the cost of the event. Howard noted people can sponsor tables in the martini tasting competition.

“You sponsor your table, you bring your mixes, they provide the alcohol, and you mix the martinis and people taste your martinis and then they all vote on it,” said Howard. “We have a traveling trophy, and First Financial currently owns the trophy. You’re welcome to come and compete this year and get your own trophy.”

It’s $50 to sponsor a table and contestants can name their martini. Raffle tickets for the event can be purchased at the United Way office.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].