Congratulations Vicky Peterson of Marshfield, Winner of the Dare to Dream Raffle

With ticket number 3602 Vicky won the cash prize $42,678.

Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket, there were 1,796 tickets sold, a great start for our first annual raffle.

Special thanks to Wisconsin Homes for partnering with United Way to offer this unique opportunity and fundraising event. Thank you also to all the ticket locations, including Wisconsin Homes dealers across Wisconsin and Iowa. We appreciate your support.

United Way and Wisconsin Homes plan to hold our Dare to Dream Raffle again next year. Look for more details here as they become available.

Chase away Spring Fever with Happy Hour for United Way

United Way invites residents to welcome spring with a special fundraising event. Gather with family and friends and give back through Happy Hour for United Way, running through May.

Join host Sue Decker and guest bartenders at these fine Marshfield area taverns:

April 30 from 4-8 p.m. at Someplace Else
May 7 from 7-9 p.m. at Bakerville Sports Bar & Grill
May 20 from 5-8 p.m. at The Rose Bowl

Percent of proceeds from the evening will benefit United Way.

Thank you to everyone who stopped out for Happy Hour at Mr. G's. We hope everyone had a great time.

Thanks also for Mr G's for helping sell House Raffle tickets. We draw on Wednesday, time is running out to get your ticket. Call 384-9992 today!

Volunteers Needed to Stamp Out Hunger

Be a part of the largest food drive in the nation, Saturday May 9. Join Marshfield Area United Way, National Association of Letter Carriers and the Marshfield Post Office for the 16th annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive.

Volunteers are needed from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to sort food and load trucks at the Marshfield Post Office. Any amount of time is needed: service can vary from 15 minutes to one or more hours.

To volunteer call the Marshfield Area Volunteer Center at 384-9992 or e-mail unitedway dot sarah at tznet.com.

On Saturday May 9, place a bag of nonperishable food by your mailbox. Please double check the items you donate to ensure they are not expired. Your letter carrier will pick them up Saturday morning for distribution to local food pantries, St. Vincent DePaul and Soup Or Socks.

Brighten your week

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Use your green thumb to provide food for families

Every year the food pantry shelves go bare in the summer time. Every year gardens are overflowing with vegetables the grower can’t eat, can or freeze. It’s a summer tradition to bring the abundant zucchini, cucumbers and tomatoes to workplace break rooms, roadside stands or beg neighbors and family members to take the excess.

United Way has an idea for a way to use your green thumb to feed hungry residents in the Marshfield area this summer and fall. This spring when you plant your garden, plant an extra row of vegetables. Then, when it’s time to harvest, donate the fruits of your labor to our community pantries. Your efforts will put food on the table for families and provide them that building block to a good life they might not otherwise have had.

We don’t want to be over flowing with zucchini and tomatoes. Please follow the suggested guide below when planting.

If your birthday falls on an even date (example: April 14) plant: onions, leafy greens (such as lettuce or spinach), broccoli, carrots, melons, squash or zucchini.

If your birthday falls on an odd date (example: May 1) plant: peas, rhubarb, beans, beets, cucumbers, cauliflower, pumpkins or tomatoes.

So, as you harvest your garden, take the vegetables from your extra row to your local food pantry (for locations and hours, dial 2-1-1).

When the growing season is over, United Way will report back how much fresh food was donated and how many families were able to enjoy the results of the collective gardening community.

You can also help out by contributing your favorite recipes featuring the fresh fruits and vegetables. We will compile recipes, and provide to the food pantries to include as they distribute food. E-mail recipes to unitedway@tznet.com or mail to PO Box 771 Marshfield, WI 54449.

Don’t have the extra space to squeeze in one more row? Even if you donate a part of your harvest once a month it will decrease the burden the pantries are feeling.

So, think green and help United Way provide sustainable resources to help create opportunities for a good life for everyone. For more information, call 384-9992 or visit www.marshfieldareaunitedway.org. Give. Advocate. Volunteer. LIVE UNITED.

Stacey Oelrich, Marshfield Area United Way’s Communication Director can be reached at unitedway.stacey@tznet.com