Category: newsroom

Happy Campaign Season!

Here at Festival Foods, we strive to show our support for the United Way in various ways. During our 2 week campaign, we allow our associates to purchase and wear United Way t-shirts in lieu of their normal uniform attire. This is a small thing for most, but when working in retail and the service industry, this really shows the company’s support of the United Way as a whole. In addition to our pledge forms that give our associates the option to give a one-time donation or a bi-weekly payroll deduction, we also added a few extra fun games to inspire involvement in the campaign. The first game is Penny Wars!  Every department has a container for associates to donate pennies or other change. Pennies count as positive and silver coins count as negative. The department with the highest positive balance at the end of the campaign will be awarded with a prize.  Secondly, we have our Pie in the Face game. Similar to Penny Wars, every Department Manager has a container at the Service Desk for guests and associates to put donations into. At the end of the campaign, the top 3 managers with the most money in their jar will receive a pie in the face (in front of the store where guests can join in on the laugher, of course.) Last but not least is our bike raffle. Guests and associates can purchase tickets towards the bike that is on display in the front of the store. This is not only a great prize donated to us but also a great way to get guests involved to share their support of the United Way.

When I joined the United Way Board of Directors almost two years ago, I knew very little about the United Way and how it operates. This experience has not only been eye-opening to see all of the great things United Way helps with around our local community, but it also gives me great talking points and knowledge to spread with the 150+ associates working with me here at Festival Foods.

Cory Krisher
Store Manager, Festival Foods Fort Atkinson

Hello United Way friends!

Can you believe it? Our campaign has launched! It is such an exciting time of year for our fine organization, our community partners, and of course, all of our United Way friends!

As a board member for the past two years, I have been blessed to experience firsthand all of the lives touched by our United Way of Jefferson & Northern Walworth Counties. However, I am also fortunate to be a part of an organization that has participated in the United Way Corporate Campaign for over 20 years and that has given me an entirely different perspective as well.

Winston Churchill says it best, “From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life”.

Through serving on the board and supporting the corporate campaign, United Way has been a part of my “life” that has been truly inspiring and revealing. Please consider this “life making” moment to join the campaign.

Robin Kennedy
VP Mission Advancement, Opportunities

As a United Way Board Member, I am very appreciative of the community of Fort Atkinson and the ability of citizens to support the United Way.  Many work places offer ways to help employees contribute to the United Way through payroll deductions.  This is an easy manner to contribute to a greater cause and helping people in need in Jefferson & North Walworth Counties.  I hope people will consider donating to the United Way and join in on their workplace campaigns.  One of the reasons I love living in Fort Atkinson is the people….they are amazing, caring and always will to help others.  Please consider donating to your United Way work place campaign this fall!

Dave Geiger
Principal, Luther Elementary School (Fort Atkinson)

I am a new board member for the United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties, and I am honored to serve this organization. To me, United Way is about providing equitable access to opportunity for all of our people, whether it be through early education, promoting well-being, job training, or something as simple, and yet essential, as transportation. The preamble to the U.S. Constitution states “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union…promote the general Welfare”, our pledge of allegiance talks of “liberty and justice for all” and Emma Lazarus’ poem at the Statue of Liberty says “Give me your tired, your poor…send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” Giving through United Way allows us to work toward achieving the founding ideals of our nation, fulfilling those promises we made to each other, and lifting one another up that we may all “secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity”.  In short, it is about being neighborly, and helping each other.

Too often we lose sight of that ideal of equality in our effort to carve out a life for ourselves, and those in need are left behind. The United Way pillar grants help restore some of that access. Programs like Jefferson County’s Community Outreach/Wraparound and the Recovery Support Center’s Train the Trainer Recovery Coaches will provide life-saving support and addiction recovery for community members who may not otherwise be able to afford it. St. Coletta’s Genesis Project and the Jefferson County’s Literacy Council’s Communication Skills for Employment Workshop will provide job training to improve opportunities for populations that may otherwise be neglected. Whitewater LEADS will provide the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to any child in the community, opening up new worlds and ideas and promoting literacy. Other supported programs promote healthy eating and outdoor activity, financial literacy, and social and emotional learning, all things focused on increasing the well-being of our community.

Many of the donors to United Way are people from the middle walk-of-life, people who hold jobs that are enough to get them by and provide for their families, but know that life can be unpredictable and understand the value of a helping hand. Not everyone has a family that can lend support in times of trouble or has the expertise to plan a path forward. I had an older brother with learning disabilities who went off the rails when faced with imminent graduation from high school. My parents were at a loss as to how to proceed; when I got involved with United Way, my mother told me it was United Way that provided a solution and enrolled him in a program that could provide him with the support and training he needed to make that transition. Many of us are indebted to United Way in ways we don’t even realize, and by supporting United Way programs either through contributions or volunteering, we are paying back the helping hand of our community.

Kristen Burton
Outreach Operations Manager, University of Wisconsin Whitewater

What do you enjoy about your board membership?

Being a board member is a wonderful experience that I fully enjoy.  It gives me an opportunity to help ensure the funds from our local community are used in ways that our local community wants.  It’s a great opportunity to work with other organizations and people that are looking to improve and strengthen our community as well.

What are you most proud of that United Way is involved with?

I really enjoy that our United Way is able to be involved with so many great programs and organizations.  I am most proud that we try to make an impact on several key pillars (health, education, and financial stability) in our community.

Why does your company run/support a United Way campaign?

HUSCO likes to be involved with organizations that focus on education, health, and well-being.  We have several different activities throughout the year to support United Way (Walking Tacos, Silent Auction, and Parking Spot Raffle to name a few)

What do you want more people in our communities to know about our United Way?

I wish more people knew about all the resources that our United Way offers: ways to help out, volunteer, pillar grant projects, and more.

Why should people support our local United Way?

Unless designated otherwise, we keep it all in our community.  Our board goes through a very rigorous screening process to ensure all of the funds are going to the right organizations that align with our mission statement and create true value added in our community.  United Way is one of the most prominent non-profits in the area, with very little overhead.  Our board is made of local community members so they have a vested interest in improving our local community.

Matt Yonke
HR Manager, HUSCO International

April is national volunteer month.  A month dedicated to honoring the volunteers in our community as well as encouraging new volunteerism.

Volunteer!  Make a differences in someone’s life!  Give back to the community that you live in!  Character, Compassion, Caring…sound like three C’s you would like to instill in your Children?  Volunteers come in all shapes and sizes and there is no better way to impart these values than by displaying them.

Not sure how?  Check out www.volunteermain.com.  This is a free volunteer platform supported by the United Way.  Search for opportunities by date, agency or area of interest.  It doesn’t get any easier than that.

Karie Martin
Human Resources Director, Jones Dairy Farm
United Way Board Chair

I became a new board member of the United Way less than a year ago.  This opportunity has been very educational and rewarding as I have had the privilege to meet so many committed individuals who support so many programs within our county.   This position has provided me exposure to partner agencies I have not routinely worked with before and a better understanding of the efforts they make on a daily basis to support those in need.  Further, this has provided the additional opportunity for future connections and collaborative efforts with partner agencies to further enhance linking services together for the benefit of the county.

This past month the United Way board has been finalizing the award for grant dollars to our partner agency with the proceeds from the annual campaign.  The decisions have been difficult due to the worthiness and the dedication of all the applicants and the programs they administer.  Each applicant provides so many positive and needed services within our communities.

Our analysis in reviewing these applications focused in on ensuring the applicants are strong stewards of the donations they are provided with and the programs are aimed at improving the health, education and/or financial stability of the communities which United Way of Jefferson & North Walworth Counties supports.

It is without a doubt our partner agencies are passionate for the services they provide to our communities and those they serve.   These agencies provide programming ranging from providing transportation to those in need, to housing, financial counseling, medical and dental care, education resources, counseling and general human services support.  We look forward to seeing their outcomes and the impact they will make in 2018.

This month also saw the United Way launch its 5th Annual Pillar Grant opportunity.   These grants are for projects that are aimed at improving the three community strategic initiatives the United Way has adopted, which include Early Childhood Education, Mental Health & AODA Treatment and Job Readiness & Skills Training. Please visit the United Way website at www.uwjnwc.com to learn more.

Finally, the County continues to partner with the United Way to sponsor the Volunteermain.com platform to help connect and coordinate volunteers with many of our programs within the county.  Volunteers are a crucial part of the success of numerous organizations.  The goal of the County and the United Way is to make it as easy as possible for organizations to find volunteers, and for volunteers to find opportunities that work for them in giving back.  I encourage you to look at this resource if you looking to volunteer or have a need for volunteers.

Our County is truly lucky to have so many great community partners.  I am truly honored that I have been given this opportunity to serve on this great board to carry out the wishes of so many generous individuals, community groups and businesses in support of our strategic initiatives.

Ben Wehmeier
Jefferson County Administrator

Serving on the United Way Board of Directors has opened my eyes to the very best of our community.

As we work our way through February toward spring, partner agency interviews have begun. Coming so soon after the essential “wrap-up” of our annual campaign, I find myself in awe.

There are so many organizations and agencies helping to keep our friends and neighbors healthy, fed, housed, educated and safe. I sat in on the interviews for 13 of these agencies and each one of them is doing an incredible job of serving the members of our community. We have agencies providing job skills training, mental health and  addiction counseling, training “Big Sisters” or “Big Brothers” for youth in need of mentorship, providing families with the opportunity to learn together, providing transportation to people who need access to goods & services, giving access to medical & dental care to those of us who are uninsured, and helping to meet all of our basic human needs-up to & including providing housing, counseling, education, training & staples to the homeless or those escaping from an abusive situation.

Not only are we fortunate enough to have all of these organizations helping to build a stronger community, but we also have YOU-our thousands of donors, supporters and volunteers! Because of you, we are able to allocate much needed funds to these agencies- allowing them to continue helping our friends and neighbors build or re-build their lives.

I am truly humbled, and I thank you for entrusting me with the stewardship of our donations.

Penny Ardelt, First Citizens State Bank
United Way Board Member