Author: stesmer

Fort Atkinson, WI – June 15, 2016 – The United Grove Community Garden, run through the United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties, has a six plots still available for community members to rent for the 2016 gardening season.

“The United Grove Community Garden is a wonderful community project that has grown so much throughout the past few years,” states Megan Findlay, United Way executive director.  “We are so grateful to be able to provide this opportunity for community members to harvest their own locally grown produce, especially for those individuals who wouldn’t otherwise have access to lawn space available for gardening.”

The garden, located between Grove and Maple Streets and just north of Park Street, has 48 total plots, with six plots still available for community member rental.  There are five plots, sized 10’x20’, and one plot, sized 10’x10’ available.  The cost for the larger plots is $20 and the smaller plot is $10.  The registration fee grants each gardener use of their designated plot through the 2016 growing season.  The garden also boasts a shed, built in 2013 by Sam Westby as part of an Eagle Scout project, filled with tools that many gardeners share with each other.

“There is a wonderful community of gardeners of all skill levels and expertise that take up residence each growing season at United Grove.  There are some extremely experienced gardeners who often donate their time and talents to helping those whose thumbs maybe aren’t quite so green,” Findlay stated.  “Deborah Gressle and Craig Ficenec, the two generous volunteer coordinators for the garden, have worked really hard to build up the community of gardeners and create a welcoming, beautiful space for people to work in.”

Anyone interested in renting one of the remaining garden plots, can contact Megan Findlay directly at 920.563.8880 orunitedway@idcnet.com.

The United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties supports 32 local agencies that provide critical health and human services to those in need.  This network of helping services can be described as a “safety net” for those in our midst in need.  Whether it is transitional housing, literacy education, after-school programs and education, health and dental care, end of life care, mentoring programs, job training or disaster relief, the United Way identifies the greatest needs in our community and helps to fund agencies that can meet those needs.

For more information about our local United Way, you may visit the website at www.ourunitedway.com  or “like” the Facebook page at “United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties.”  For details regarding the United Way’s online volunteer tool, please visit www.volunteermain.com.

Fort Atkinson, WI – March 18, 2016 – The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties is set to launch its third annual pillar grant funding opportunity. The application cycle officially opens on Monday, March 21^st and closes on Monday, April 25^th at 5pm, with grant allocation decisions announced by Friday, May 13^th.

“Our United Way is so excited to launch our third round of pillar grant funding to our communities. Over the past two years, we have been able to allocate a total of $24.085 to 14 different community projects and programs through this funding opportunity,” states Megan Findlay, United Way executive director. “We are incredibly grateful that our campaign support over the past three years has allowed us to not only implement this unique opportunity, but also grow the support behind it.”

Pillar grant funding is a unique opportunity that differentiates from the traditional agency grants United Way provides, in that applicants are not required to be nonprofit organizations to be eligible for funding, although nonprofits are still able and encouraged to apply. The opportunity is open to any and all community members, organizations/groups, schools, etc. who may have a great community project idea or an existing program that they need additional funding for. The main requirement is that the project must be aimed at improving the health, education and/or financial independence of the communities which United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties supports. Also, to ensure proper use of grant funds, pillar grant payments are made on a reimbursement basis after the receipt of paid invoices.

“Two years ago, when this new funding opportunity was introduced, our United Way was looking for a way to get more involved with community projects and programs that extended beyond those we currently help support through our nonprofit partner agency grants,” Findlay states. “We were looking to increase the visibility of our support within our communities and to provide support to any parents, students or groups looking for a way to make their community enhancement project idea a reality.”<

Some example of the past 14 projects that have received funding are: mobile railyard equipment through Fort Healthcare; scholarships for local children to participate in the Working for Whitewater’s Wellness Fit Kid Shuffle; improvements/additions to school and community gardens; student fees, speaker fees, and material costs for the Jefferson County Connections Youth Leadership Conference; Parents Cafes for Jefferson County Head Start; and many more.

“The feedback we’ve received regarding the pillar grant opportunity as been overwhelmingly positive. I think our donors appreciate that as we receive additional campaign support, we’ve looked at ways to grow and expand our focus, and I think our communities appreciate a new way to get involved with United Way,” Findlay added. “We are so eager to review the applications we receive for 2016, and are so excited to continue to support our communities in new, innovative ways.”

Anyone interested in applying for a 2016 pillar grant, can contact Megan Findlay directly at 920.563.8880 or unitedway@idcnet.com.

The United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties supports 32 local agencies that provide critical health and human services to those in need. This network of helping services can be described as a “safety net” for those in our midst in need. Whether it is transitional housing, literacy education, after-school programs and education, health and dental care, end of life care, mentoring programs, job training or disaster relief, the United Way identifies the greatest needs in our community and helps to fund agencies that can meet those needs.

For more information about our local United Way, you may visit the website at www.ourunitedway.com or “like” the Facebook page at “United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties.” For details regarding the United Way’s online volunteer tool, please visit www.volunteermain.com.

Fort Atkinson, WI – January 4, 2016 – The United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties has concluded its annual “Donation Sweepstakes,” generously underwritten by Fort Healthcare and Jones Dairy Farm. The sweepstakes was run from September 1st through December 11th. Each new donor who donated at least $25 or any donor who increased their previous year’s gift by $25 or more was entered into the sweepstakes. This year, the winners were once again presented electronic goods.

Pictured is the winner of the Kindle Fire, Megan Gang, a 6th grade language arts teacher at the Fort Atkinson Middle School. Pictured with Gang, from left to right are Dani Hopkins, Director of Human Resources for the School District of Fort Atkinson, Megan Findlay, Executive Director of the United Way of Walworth & Jefferson Counties, and Dave Geiger, Principal at Luther Elementary School and also a United Way board member.

The other three winners included Andy Fuchs from Valero (laptop), and Kaycee Welke (high definition television), and Barbara Lee (iPad) both from Fort Healthcare.

“There were a total of 556 individuals who qualified for the sweepstakes this year, beating last year’s total of 530, which was also a large increase from the 2013 campaign. The sweepstakes incentive directly translates into great increased support for our campaign,” states Findlay. “We are very grateful for each of these donors as well as the ongoing support of Fort Healthcare and Jones Dairy Farm, which allows us to continue this exciting incentive.”

The 2015 campaign is still accepting donations. Anyone interested in supporting United Way’s critical grant funding to local nonprofit agencies and community programs, can contact Findlay directly at 920.563.8880 or unitedway@idcnet.com. Donations can also be made online at www.ourunitedway.com.

The United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties supports 32 local agencies that provide critical health and human services to those in need. This network of helping services can be described as a “safety net” for those in our midst in need. Whether it is transitional housing, literacy education, after-school programs and education, health and dental care, end of life care, mentoring programs, job training or disaster relief, the United Way identifies the greatest needs in our community and helps to fund agencies that can meet those needs.

For more information about our local United Way, you may visit the website at www.ourunitedway.com or “like” the Facebook page at “United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties.” For details regarding the United Way’s online volunteer tool, please visit www.volunteermain.com.

Fort Atkinson, WI – January 4, 2016 – The United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties has concluded its annual “Donation Sweepstakes,” generously underwritten by Fort Healthcare and Jones Dairy Farm. The sweepstakes was run from September 1st through December 11th. Each new donor who donated at least $25 or any donor who increased their previous year’s gift by $25 or more was entered into the sweepstakes. This year, the winners were once again presented electronic goods.

Pictured is the winner of the Kindle Fire, Megan Gang, a 6th grade language arts teacher at the Fort Atkinson Middle School. Pictured with Gang, from left to right are Dani Hopkins, Director of Human Resources for the School District of Fort Atkinson, Megan Findlay, Executive Director of the United Way of Walworth & Jefferson Counties, and Dave Geiger, Principal at Luther Elementary School and also a United Way board member.

The other three winners included Andy Fuchs from Valero (laptop), and Kaycee Welke (high definition television), and Barbara Lee (iPad) both from Fort Healthcare.

“There were a total of 556 individuals who qualified for the sweepstakes this year, beating last year’s total of 530, which was also a large increase from the 2013 campaign. The sweepstakes incentive directly translates into great increased support for our campaign,” states Findlay. “We are very grateful for each of these donors as well as the ongoing support of Fort Healthcare and Jones Dairy Farm, which allows us to continue this exciting incentive.”

The 2015 campaign is still accepting donations. Anyone interested in supporting United Way’s critical grant funding to local nonprofit agencies and community programs, can contact Findlay directly at 920.563.8880 or unitedway@idcnet.com. Donations can also be made online at www.ourunitedway.com.

The United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties supports 32 local agencies that provide critical health and human services to those in need. This network of helping services can be described as a “safety net” for those in our midst in need. Whether it is transitional housing, literacy education, after-school programs and education, health and dental care, end of life care, mentoring programs, job training or disaster relief, the United Way identifies the greatest needs in our community and helps to fund agencies that can meet those needs.

For more information about our local United Way, you may visit the website at www.ourunitedway.com or “like” the Facebook page at “United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties.” For details regarding the United Way’s online volunteer tool, please visit www.volunteermain.com.