Your contribution is needed to help residents

What do you do when everyone is hungry and no one can decide on one snack? Hailey wants M&M’s. Erika wants toffee. Courtney wants chocolate. Mom wants pretzels and I want something with nuts. Emma can’t decide between sweet, salty, crunchy or gooey—but she knows she wants something!

We went to the pantry, dug out our snack of choice, poured them into bowls and realized what we each had was too little to satisfy our hunger. Finally it came to us—take the half full bags and combine them to make a “seven layer” bar. It hit everyone’s craving, and we all got a lot more to eat than if we had only eaten one snack food.

I bet you never thought a little of something would make such a difference. Well, I can give you one more example—and it’s more fulfilling than the most delicious dessert. It’s your contribution to the United Way campaign. Every gift has a huge impact because it creates opportunities for people to have a better life.

If contributions don’t continue, United Way volunteers must make tough decisions on where to decrease funding. So many programs already operate on very bare bone budgets. It’s amazing to see what they do with so little. Mary’s Place: Genesis Room gave 50 people a place to live—a chance to get off the street, out of their car or off someone’s couch and transition to steady employment and housing. All for only $6.68 per night.

Many people in our community face difficult challenges. There are older adults fighting poverty, teens in conflict with their parents or unemployed fathers wondering how they’re going to feed their family. We all feel the rising costs of living expenses, but we don’t have to choose between heat and groceries like some people.

Please make a contribution within your budget: $10, $50, $100 or more. If you already made your contribution to change lives, thank you. You can take action by advocating for thousands in need. Ask someone you know to also give generously.

Get involved: Give. Advocate. Volunteer. LIVE UNITED. Call 384-9992 to give or print a pledge card by visiting www.marshfieldareaunitedway.org. Contributions can be mailed to Marshfield Area United Way, PO Box 771, Marshfield, WI 54449.


Contributed by Stacey Oelrich, Marshfield Area United Way’s Communications Director

Honest Abe promises a sleeper sofa in every living room

For the second year ghouls, goblins and characters of all kind have taken over Marshfield Furniture.

In the Halloween spirit employees of Marshfield Furniture are improving lives … through a costume contest coupled with their United Way campaign … showing that you can LIVE UNITED, even when you’re undead.

Enjoy the slideshow below with the 2008 Costumes


If you'd like to see costumes from 2007, click here.

Figi's, Inc. Chili Championship

Figi's, Inc. held another successful and creative fundraiser this fall. Two weeks of nearly 30 entries of different kinds of chili. From tradional chilies like Mom makes to the fantastic and tasty white chicken chili or margarita chili.

It all came together when the eight finalists cooked their best pot of chili and put together dazzling displays for judging.

Each team was judged on presentation, originiality and taste. It was a hard task for judges WSAW News Channel 7's Jeff Talen, WDLB/WOSQ Bob Meyer, UW-Marshfield/Wood County's and United Way Drive Co-Chair Andy Keogh and Mayor Chris Meyer.

While all presentations leap above and beyond the normal bowl, spoon and fixings--orginality and taste proved to help the judges make the final decision.

The ulimate Chili Champion was crowned and the trophy claimed by Monica Morzinski from Purchasing and her team: Cooks United to Make a Difference with the White Christmas Chicken Chili.

A big thank you to all the chefs and Figi's employees who tasted at each level of judging and the panel of celebrity judges for the Cook out Championship. It was another fun and exciting event--thank you for your hard work, creative spirits and generosity to help our community.

ODC pies another great campaign

Opportunity Development Centers always runs fun, informative campaigns. They have a small staff, but big hearts and even bigger imaginations. They utilize special events that can involve their clients, so everyone can be involved.

Far eclipsing their goal of $2,000 ... this was another successful year for ODC!

On October 30, ODC held a Chili Feed and encouraged employees to dress up for Halloween. Left: Lynn helps serve chili, dressed up as Sarah Palin for Halloween.

One special event was Pie in the Face. People could vote for who should receive pies. The top five votes won ... or lost, depending who talk to. Lucky for everyone, this November day was atypical of Wisconsin weather. 70 degrees makes even taking a pie in the face a little more pleasant. Enjoy the photo slideshow below, click on an image for a larger size.