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I feel both blessed and grateful to be on the United Way Board of Directors as well as serving in my role as the Office Coordinator for Valero Renewables in Jefferson.

Valero Renewables Jefferson holds an annual kickoff where employees gather for a meeting, enjoy munchies, and participate in games & challenges. At the meeting, Megan (the United Way executive director) delivers a heartfelt “Thank You” to our employees and fills us in on the challenges that our communities are currently facing.

Valero encourages each employee to give from the heart. Our employees are an inspiration to me with their selflessness and willingness to help others.

Each year, Valero Jefferson employees generously pledge to the United Way. We continue to be the top workplace campaign supporter for our local United Way, providing almost 1/3 of the total contributions raised each campaign season.

Valero employees are able to choose from any of the thirty plus local agencies that our United Way supports. The employee can designate their donation to an agency that means something to them, or to a cause that is close to their heart.

I have volunteered for as long as I can remember and being on the United Way Board allows me to be involved in my communities more than I thought possible.

We are still in uncertain times, but one thing is for sure – the United Way is here to support those in need and is remaining focused on our mission through tough times.  I am proud to be part of it all.

Helen Mortazavi
Office Coordinator, Valero Renewables Jefferson
Board Member, United Way

Has a child ever looked you in the eyes and told you that they can’t participate in an activity they love because they can’t afford it? It’s a heartbreaking moment that I experienced multiple times throughout my tenure as coach of the Fort Atkinson High School Poms Squad.

When you see the passion and dedication of these athletes, you want to do whatever you can to help them be successful and realize their full potential. High school is a hard time for anyone, and when you find your group of people or your passion, it is imperative that you have the tools to continue on a trajectory that supports you for who you are.

As parents know, sports and extracurricular activities come with a cost. Costs that some families can afford, and some cannot. With my previous background in financial literacy, I tried my best to make costs for poms as low as possible. Even so, I had families that could not afford the $200 (or so) cost of poms, shoes, shorts, turtlenecks, dance tops, warm-ups, etc. Multiple times I was approached by athletes who couldn’t make eye contact with me, tell me that they have to drop out because they could not afford it. I refused to let them leave the team and promised that we would figure something out. That’s when I learned about the Fort Family Connections program through the partnership of the School District of Fort Atkinson and the United Way. My athletes were able to apply and get the funding they needed to support their passion. I am truly grateful for the kind people who donated to the United Way to make this program possible.

This example was the start of my ‘why’ for joining the United Way workplace campaign team at the School District of Fort Atkinson, and later, becoming a Board Member. The more I learned about the programming and services that the United Way provides for the people in our local communities, the more I wanted to do.

Workplace campaigns are SO important for our local United Way. Every dollar donated stays here locally, positively affecting local people, and local businesses. It truly brings kindness, generosity, and hope for the future, full circle. The pillars of the United Way’s work (health, education, financial stability, and equity) speak to how to truly teach, learn, and support one another to improve lives, causing a ripple effect of positive change.

Thank you to the businesses who run workplace campaigns – you truly play a large role in affecting positive change. To the businesses who are considering running a workplace campaign, please reach out with questions. There are so many people who are willing to help make it a success. As we say here at the School District of Fort Atkinson, we are one team, one district, and one community. We each play a piece in a larger puzzle. Same for the United Way, when you participate in the workplace campaign, you become a part of something much larger.

Marissa Weidenfeller
Communications & Community Engagement Specialist, School District of Fort Atkinson
United Way Board Member

I’ve always valued being an active member of the communities I’ve lived in throughout my life. Whether its volunteering or donating, its been a part of my sense of duty to myself and my community. Helping others helps us all! But I admit I wasn’t always sure if I was “doing it right” or “giving enough”. It can be intimidating and hard to feel like you’re making a difference.

Most of us live in smaller cities, towns or rural areas. It can be hard to know where to give, much less who to give to! Many of us live in one community, and work in another. When we give our time or money, we want to know that its going to be invested in the place we’ve made our home, and that’s a reasonable expectation!

It wasn’t until I joined the board of the United Way that I really understood and was able to see the benefits of giving to the United Way. There is a tremendous amount of work that goes into ensuring your donations go where they’re needed most and will make the most impact. As trustees of your funds, we take our job seriously, and want to honor the wishes of our donors. We’re always looking for ways to ensure you get “the best bang for your buck”. We carefully select our partner agencies at a local level and ensure that they are using funds appropriately and impactfully. We’re here to help take the guessing game out of it for you!  No donation is too small. The mission of the United Way is to ensure every donation, no matter how big or small, gets put to good use on quality programs that are relevant and beneficial to our community.

Whether you have certain causes near and dear to your heart, such as health, education, or financial stability, or if there’s a specific agency that you feel matches your personal values best, the United Way has multiple avenues for you to donate and have a say in where that money goes. If your place of employment partners with the United Way campaign every year, that’s the easiest way to give. Know that your money is going directly to fund local agencies, and if you work in one city and live in another, you are able to direct your donations to the United Way that serves the community where you live. If there is a specific agency that you prefer to give to, you may designate those dollars to that specific agency, whether it’s a United Way partner agency or not. We will ensure your money goes where you’ve designated!

2020 was a rough year for many, and although things are looking up, 2021 has still brought many new challenges. Needs are constantly changing within our communities and the United Way is rising to the occasion. We’ve listened to what the communities we serve have voiced as their most pressing issues, and shifted our focus and energy to ensure we’re meeting those immediate needs. As a new campaign year begins in the next couple months, we hope you will choose to give to the United Way and help us pursue our mission to fund the agencies and programs that help our neighbors, friends and families and make our communities stronger. As I said before, helping others helps us all!

Chris VanGundy
Senior Health, Safety & Environment Engineer, Valero
United Way Board Member

This past year, the spirit of collaboration and community has never been more important as the collective response to the needs impacted directly and indirectly by COVID-19.  This was seen through multiple partnerships whether it was the regional healthcare/public health response of working together, first responders coordinated on-going efforts, support among nonprofits, assistance with business recovery and promotion, coordination among education systems and community members stepping up in numerous ways. The county has seen well over 500 volunteers that has assisted in various community responses to include our clinics.

The United Way has been a key community partner all the way through this past year.   From helping getting information out, assisting in filling in gaps to include providing emergency COVID-19 funding for partners, helping with transportation efforts, to assisting with emergency housing challenges.  Further, they have worked with the nonprofit community to assist in meeting their needs and challenges they face today and the future.

The county continues to engage with the United Way on multiple levels. First, we continue to support and partner on the volunteer platform available for all our communities.  The goal is to support opportunities and efficient ways to make individuals aware of volunteer opportunities and allow an easy way to sign up.  This is a great resource.  Second, the United Way partnered with the county on being the eyes and ears for the nonprofit community this past year, to help identify challenges and opportunities in providing support to those in need. Finally, we sponsor a campaign within our organization.  Many of our departments work closely with the United Way and other nonprofits to align resources to serve many aspects of our community needs.

As the county looks ahead to the remainder of 2021 and beyond, the intent is continuing the efforts to recover and collaborate with numerous partners.  This includes the focus on issues brought forward through the recently approved comprehensive plan.  Further, we intend to work closely among our stakeholders from other local government, businesses, and nonprofits for the best use of the American Rescue Plan Act dollars the county has been allocated.  The goal is to use these funds to help with on-going recovery needs to move the county and region forward together.

Ben Wehmeier
Administrator, Jefferson County
Board Member, United Way

Spring is finally here! The flowers are blooming and there is something about the fresh air that brings new life and opportunities. I thought it would be fun to highlight a few of the ways I’m trying to support our community now that it’s warming up. I hope that these ideas will inspire you and your family to get outside and support local.

• Get Outside – Biking or walking, the Glacial River bike path screams summer. There’s nothing better than catching up with a friend, or taking the family for a nice walk or bike ride on this well-kept path. Bonus points for stopping at Frostie’s or the Jones Market for a delicious treat.
• Eat Al’Fresco – As a mom of two now, coffee gives me life and my favorite place for coffee is Beauty and the Bean. My go-to order is an iced coffee and a gluten free peanut butter cookie, always. I love how Beauty and the Bean offers options for all and has outdoor seating.
• Gardening– Gardening is a hobby I’m trying to learn. I love how the whole family can be involved in growing your own vegetables and fruits. My personal go-to location is Blodgett’s If you don’t have a green thumb, Farmer’s Markets are making their way back in our lives again (Fort Atkinson, Whitewater and Watertown, to name a few) and I’m here for it.
• Volunteer – What a wonderful way to support our community! Whether you volunteer to clean up a local park, donate items to a local charity or family in need or even simply spending time with someone who needs it; the benefits of taking the time to do something kind for someone else fulfils our innate desire to have purpose.

Happy Spring!

Lisa Caras
Marketing Manager, Jones Dairy Farm
United Way Board Member

I had the pleasure of serving on the United Way Board for 6 years!

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in this leadership position. The Board consists of a dynamic team that involves professionals from local and surrounding communities that want to help make a difference in the lives of people in Jefferson County. The leadership on this board is strong and dedicated to working hard to help organizations that have the ability to help people in need.

I have seen this impact first-hand in grant interviews. I have seen and heard some amazing stories over my six years.

Thank you to all who donate to the United Way. It is a very worthwhile cause that makes a great impact in our communities.

You are truly a difference maker when you donate to this organization.

Let’s continue to work together to help each other!

Dave Geiger
United Board Member – 6 years – January 2015- 2021
School District of Fort Atkinson Employee

The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties will open its annual pillar grant funding application on Monday, March 22nd at 9am. The application will remain open until 5pm on Friday, April 23rd, with award decisions announced by Friday, May 14th.

“Our United Way is so excited to welcome back our pillar grant funding opportunity after suspending it last year to provide additional financial support for our COVID Relief Fund.  Since launching our pillar grants in 2014, we have allocated a total of $101,513 in pillar grant funding to 50 different community projects and programs, and we are eager to continue that support now in 2021,” states Megan Hartwick, United Way executive director.  “Our pillar grants have been a very successful program for our United Way since their launch in 2014. Although it was difficult for our board to temporarily suspend them last year, we knew it was important to concentrate our efforts on the immediate needs our communities were facing. Now, we’re excited to offer some additional support to our communities, especially as so many groups faced a year of difficult funding but also of increase innovation in the way they deliver important programs and services to our communities.”

Pillar grants are a unique opportunity that differentiates from traditional nonprofit agency grants United Way provides, in that applicants do not have to be nonprofit organizations to be eligible for funding, although nonprofits are still able and encouraged to apply.  Consideration is open to all community members, organizations/groups, schools, etc. that 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 stability of the communities which United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties supports. Specifically, all applications must focus on one of United Way’s three strategic impact areas – early intervention care, mental health/AODA, or barriers to self-sufficiency. Also, to ensure proper use of grant funds, pillar grant payments are made on a reimbursement basis after the receipt of paid invoices or on a direct invoice basis.

“It was important to our board of directors that our pillar grant funding aligned closely with the main issues facing our communities, so two years ago we transitioned our pillar grant funding a bit to focus on these three strategic impact areas,” Hartwick states. “The focus on early intervention care, mental health/AODA, and barriers to self-sufficiency comes from direct community feedback, 211 call data, county-wide data and input our partners provide regarding their clients major needs.”

A total of $8,000 is currently set aside to support pillar grant proposals, although Hartwick noted that number may increase prior to the May 14^th decision-making date, but also added that the United Way board of directors has full discretion to allocate some, all or none of the funding.

Some examples of past recipients of pillar grant 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; Parents Cafes for Jefferson County Head Start; KIND News publication through the Humane Society of Jefferson County; a handicap accessible fishing pier at the Rivers Edge Nature Preserve, Women Who Care school-based behavioral health & school nurse training programs, the Whitewater Little Free Pantry, Recovery Support Center recovery coach training, Bethel House financial literacy curriculum development, a zen den at Fort Atkinson Preschool and Childcare, , an opiate awareness toolkit through the Jefferson County Drug Free Coalition, and many more.

“Our board of directors is eager to review this year’s applications and we strongly encourage any and all community groups to review the guidelines and consider applying if they have a project or program that would qualify,” Hartwick states. “We are looking forward to offering additional support to our key strategic impact areas and continuing to fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our communities.”

A copy of the 2021 guidelines and application can be found on the United Way website at www.uwjnwc.com.  All pillar grant applications must be completed online, and log-in details can be obtained from the United Way office at 920.563.8880 or unitedway@idcnet.com.

It is hard to believe that we are already two months into the long-awaited new year of 2021!  While we all eagerly look to the future, it seems incredible that the United Way Partner Agency Grant Review Process is already complete!

While we often think of the United Way at the same time we are enjoying watching our favorite professional Football teams, the United Way is very active all throughout the year.  Now that most fundraising projects are completed, it is time for a comprehensive review to determine which local  organizations will be the recipients of these generously donated funds.

Partner Agencies, listed on our United Way website, are organizations that are approved for quarterly grant funding from our United Way.  To qualify for consideration, these Agencies complete an all-inclusive application which is reviewed in detail.  There are also established expectations and clear agreements that must be agreed upon in advance of application.   A comprehensive conversation occurs between representatives of the Partner Agencies and a team of a very dedicated United Way Board and Community Volunteers that ensure these partner agencies meet specific criteria that align with the mission and vision of the United Way.  Everyone involved truly treats these dollars as if they were their own!  It is certainly difficult to select from the many deserving recipients.  The United Way board of directors completes a final review and approval of allocations.    We are very appreciative of the Partner Agencies, who are very diligent with use of program funds.

I am truly proud to serve as a Board Member for the United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties, where we truly embrace the United Way theme of NOW MORE THAN EVER.

Nancy Alstad
Senior Director Human Resources, Fort Healthcare
United Way Board Member

The United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties is joining forces with the United Way of Wisconsin to offer a state-wide 21 Week Equity Challenge available at no cost to all community members.

“Our United Way is grateful to be able to participate in, and help promote, this amazing educational series offered by the United Way of Wisconsin,” states Megan Hartwick, United Way executive director.  “The 21 Week Equity Challenge will provide a powerful opportunity for individuals to develop a deeper understanding of how inequity and racism affect all of our lives and our communities.”

The 21 Week Challenge begins on Monday, February 1^st to kick-off Black History Month, and continues with weekly Monday emails through June 21^st. Each week, participants will receive emails focused on a specific topic, taking them through a journey that starts with understanding internalized racism and explores how racism permeates person-to-person interactions, institutions, and social structures.

“United Way believes that participation in this educational challenge will help deepen understanding, suggest ways to act, and help launch people into a lifelong commitment to improving equity and inclusion in our communities,” Hartwick adds.

Board themes that will be covered in the weekly emails will range from definition & general concepts, internalized racism, interpersonal racism, institutional racism and structural racism. The content will include an action related to reading, watching or listening to information, will ask participants to reflect using provided questions, and will invite learners to continue their work through suggested follow-up behaviors. Note taking sheets and a general guide for group discussions will also be provided.

United Way is encouraging community members to register and is also suggesting that other community organizations and local businesses considering registering members and employees, in an effort to expand upon their work related to racial inequity. Our local United Way will also be participating in the challenge, with the director, some board members and volunteers already registered.

“Our United Way’s mission is to fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our communities. That mission calls on us to confront any challenges and disparities that exist within our communities related to those building blocks for a strong quality of life,” Hartwick adds. “Within our pillars of focus – health, education and financial stability – we are learning more about how residents in our communities face racial and ethnic disparities. Most importantly, we are eager to learn more about how our work can address those barriers and how we can involve others in that work.”

The challenge will be hosted by the United Way of Wisconsin, with full and active participation from our local United Way. Residents are encouraged to visit the United Way of Wisconsin platform to register:  www.unitedwaywi.org/equity. The link can also be found on our local United Way’s Facebook page and website at www.uwjnwc.com.

“We hope to have a strong turnout of Jefferson County residents participating in this opportunity,” Hartwick states. “Our office looks forward to connecting with those who join, so we can further our local work related to ensuring equity for all of our community members.”

Participants are encouraged to follow the Facebook pages for both United Way of Wisconsin (@unitedwaywi) and United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties (@uwjnwc), and to share their own participation and learning experience throughout the 21 weeks.

Any questions, comments or requests for further information can be directed to the United Way office at 920.563.8880 or unitedway@idcnet.com.