Donate a coat to keep kids warm

Help keep kids in need warm this winter. Donate your gently used coats December 3-18.

Coats for Kids Drop off locations:

- EZ Money Payday Loans

106 W McMillan

- Bath & Body Works

503 E Ives Street

Coats will be distributed by United Way to families in need.

Eat Lunch at McDonalds Monday November 8

Dine out to help out!  Eat Lunch at the Marshfield McDonalds Monday, November 8 and they will donate a percentage of sales to Marshfield Area United Way.

Thank you to McDonalds for this generous contribution.

If your restaurant would like to participate in a Restaurant Day contact unitedway.sarah@tznet.com or call 715-384-9992.

Share with your friends in your online networks and connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

Find more ways to Give. Advocate. Volunteer. LIVE UNITED. at our Web site.

Brat Fry -- Friday, October 22

Come out Friday, October 22 from 11 to 1 p.m. and get lunch and support your community. 

BRAT FRY hosted by the City of Marshfield Employees

FRIDAY October 22nd, 2010

11:00 am. to 1:00 pm. 

@ City Hall Plaza –Strohman Park

(room 108 is backup site if we have bad weather)

Price List:

BRATWURST $2.25        HOTDOG $1.50

CHIPS $1.00                     SODA $1.00

HOMEMADE BAKED GOODS    $.75

Brat Combo plate = $5.00 (brat, chips, soda & baked good)

Hotdog Combo plate = $4.00 (hot dog, chips, soda & baked good)

****All profits go to Marshfield Area United Way****

More information about Marshfield Area United Way, visit our Web site.

Find us on Facebook

Follow on Twitter

Wanted: Dirty Windshields

Come to Heritage Bank this Friday, October 15 and Bank President Randy Malueg will wash your windshield if you go to the drive up lanes-- you don't even have to bank at Heritage.

Spencer Branch (201 West Clark Street):

9 to 11:30 a.m.

Marshfield Branch (907 North Central Ave.):

2 to 4:30 p.m.

Proceeds benefit United Way.

Money Smart Week: Day 5 -- Never too early to learn about money

Your children watch your decisions and habits more closely than you realize.  So, it's important to talk with them about money as soon as you feel they're ready.  There a many every day opportunities that you can use as teaching moments without long lectures or financial degrees.  These moments will help your child feel comfortable talking about questions or concerns and they will start to form their values and opinions when it comes to money.

• Allowance teaches your children that money is earned. 
• Frugal or Smart Shopping with coupons, comparing prices, shopping sales will help your child become a saavy consumer.
• That Piggy Bank is more than just decoration.  Your child can learn about saving with each penny for the piggy.  Include goals with your saving lessons, help them mark their progress and celebrate when their goal is met.
• Plastic isn't just harmful to the environment.  Show them your credit and debt cards and explain differences between them and the "best" times to use each.

See more teachable money moments, broken down by age groups that you can share with your children. 

United Way works to help residents achieve financial stability.  Each day during Money Smart Week check out our blog, Facebook or Twitter to find links and tips about building your savings, sticking to your budget and everyday costs you can reduce.

Money Smart Week Day 4: Save, Save, Save!

How to Stay Disciplined with Your Savings

• Don't underestimate the importance of being organized: Have everything filed in a central location. You'll save time when you start hunting for paperwork.
  

• Spending every dime and more? Start by cutting back on a few items per week and putting away that money. Pay yourself first. Just say no to spending more than you have.
  

• Ask for direct deposit at work if they offer it – you’re saving money, and you don’t even see it. A savings plan at work that pays you “matching contribution” is the fastest way to save.

Top Saving Mistakes

• Not modifying your spending habits compared to your budget.

  • 
    

• Not taking advantage of your company’s match in a 401 (k) plan, or getting involved in a defined contribution plan.
  

• Not appropriately/correctly allocating your assets to meet a specific goal or time horizon (diversification is important).
  

• Not setting a specific dollar target or financial goal.
  

• Not knowing how much you have, where you are spending your money, and how much you need to save for the future (failure to plan for retirement).
  

• Cashing out your retirement plan – should roll over to an IRA or your new company’s retirement plan.

Save on Energy Costs:

• Watch your Water: An average family spends between 10 and 25 percent of their utility bill on simply heating water. Reducing the amount of water you use will save your family money on three bills: Your water bill, sewer bill, and energy bill.
  

• Turn off the Fan:

  If you currently leave the furnace fan running all day, change the setting on the thermostat to “auto.” This alone could save you between $100 and $500 dollars a year on your electric bill. The fan is not intended to run full time, and you shouldn’t need it to run 24/7 to be comfortable.
  

• Fix Air Leaks:

  Sealing your home’s air leaks can reduce your energy bill by 5 and 20 percent a year. The attic, basement, and crawl spaces are usually responsible for the biggest air leaks, and fixing them can bring down your energy bill a lot!!
  

• Seal Ducts:

  Forced-air heating and cooling systems use ducts to move the warmed or cooled air through the floors, ceilings, and walls of your home. These ducts are frequently made of sheet metal and are rarely airtight. In an average house, about 20 percent of the air that flows through the ducts is lost through leaks, holes, and poor connections. That means higher utility bills for you.
  

• Don't Skimp on Appliances:

  Every appliance has two price tags: the sticker price you pay at the store, and the price you pay in utility bills to operate it. If you buy an appliance with a low sticker price, you can end up paying more on utility bills if it isn’t energy efficient. And that’s going to cost you more money in the long run.

United Way works to help residents achieve financial stability. Each day during Money Smart Week check out our blog, Facebook or Twitter to find links and tips about building your savings, sticking to your budget and everyday costs you can reduce.

Money Smart Week: Day 3 -- It's all in the planning!

Most people, couples included, feel uncomfortable talking openly about their finances. Regardless of who you are, success starts in planning. Couples must have open communication about expenses and goals and have some flexibility.

• Get organized: Gather all important financially-related documents to a central location that is equally accessible to both partners.
  
  
• Track your spending and pay yourself first: Write down where you are spending your money. Compare notes. What can you reduce so you can Re-route some of your spending to a savings account: pay yourself first for a secure financial future.
  
  
• Plan to save: Start a savings account to cover expenses like clothes, Christmas/holidays, and insurance. Plan for future expenses throughout the year. Complete the Ballpark E$timate retirement planning worksheet. Build an emergency fund: You never know when you will need additional cash so try to have two to three months of living expenses in a readily accessible savings account or money market account.
  
  
• Don’t Go Into Debt, and if you are, Get out of debt: Avoid Credit CARDS. If you must use them, control your credit card spending and try to pay off any debts you have (e.g., car, credit card, student loan, etc.). Pay more than the minimum monthly payment. Once you have paid off your debts/credit cards, take the money and put it towards savings or some other debt. If possible, the goal is to simultaneously pay off your debt while still putting some amount into savings. Remember, you are loaned money so that you will pay interest and late charges and make other people money.
  
  
• Set goals: Decide what you want to do with your money. Do you want to pay off debts/student loans? Buy a house? Save for a new car or additional education? Find middle ground when ideas differ. Write down your goals and your strategy for achieving these goals. Write a budget.
  
  
• Review your insurance coverage: Every year, review your health, life, disability, renter/homeowners, auto, and personal liability policies to make sure you are both adequately covered. To learn more about insurance go to the National Association of Insurance commissioners. Insure U web page.
  
  
• How much should you save and/or invest? Save at least 15% of every dime you earn beginning with your first job. The older you are the higher the percentage has to go unless you think you can work forever!

United Way works to help residents achieve financial stability. Each day during Money Smart Week our blog will feature links and tips about building your savings, sticking to your budget and everyday costs you can reduce.

Money Smart Week: Day 2 -- Track your expenses

The best way to get a handle on how much you spend in a day or month is to track your expenses.  Once you know where your money is going you are better prepared to make decisions to change your spending and saving habits.

Why do I need to track?

• Reduce daily expenses and impulse buys
• Analyze financial records
• Save money
• Make a budget

Decide how you want to keep a record of your expenses. You can purchase software or use the free Budget Tracker 1.0 download to help you monitor your spending habits. Other options include worksheets, budget planners or a notebook.

Record all income in one section.

Divide your expense section into essential and non-essential categories. Essential expenses consist of money you must spend on required living conditions. Non-essential expenses cover purchases beyond survival needs and may include entertainment or luxury items.

Create subcategories of fixed and variable expenses under the essential category in your notebook. Fixed expenses encompass anything you spend the same amount of money on every month such as insurance, loans, mortgage or rent. Variable expenses fluctuate in price and may include food, utilities and gasoline.

Use monthly credit card statements to help you keep track of your expenses and include this information in your records. These itemized statements can reflect an accurate picture of your spending habits depending on how often you use your credit card.

Keep a record of every transaction you make including small cash purchases on items such as a newspaper or coffee. Save your receipts and enter daily purchases in the appropriate place. The most accurate record provides an account of every penny you spend.

Need help getting started?  Visit the Web sites below for more information, budget and planning worksheets and more.

• Feedthepig.org
• Mymoney.gov
• Mint.com

United Way works to help residents achieve financial stability.  Each day during Money Smart Week check out our blog, Facebook or Twitter to find links and tips about building your savings, sticking to your budget and everyday costs you can reduce.

Money Smart Week: 10 tips that can save you money

October 2-8 is Money Smart Week Wisconsin^SM   an effort of Governor Doyle's Council on Financial Literacy to help educate Wisconsin residents about their financial literacy.

Marshfield Area United Way is joining in this effort!  United Way works to help residents work towards financial stability, and each day this week check out our blog, Facebook or Twitter to find links and tips about building your savings, sticking to your budget and everyday costs you can reduce.

Check back in 2011 for more details about a financial workshop in February.  If you have topics you’d like covered, suggest here.  If your business or organization is interested in a lunch hour financial workshop please call Sarah Krenn at 715-384-9992 or email here.
 
1. Write a list before you go shopping – and stick to it. Never go into a store without a list.  Make a careful plan of what you’ll buy before you go, then stick strictly to that list. Don’t put anything in the cart that’s not on the list, no matter how tempting, and you’ll come out of the store saving a bundle.

2. Plan your meals around your grocery store’s flyer. Instead of just planning your meals based on a cookbook or whatever you can dream up, plan all your meals around what’s on sale in your grocery store’s flyer. Look at the biggest sales, then plan meals based on those ingredients and what you have on hand, and you’ll find yourself with a much smaller food bill.

3. Call your credit card company and ask for a rate reduction.  Take any of your credit cards that are carrying a balance, flip them over, and call the number on the back. Tell them that you want an interest rate reduction or you’ll take your business elsewhere. If the first person you talk to won’t do it, ask to talk to a supervisor. If you have a $5,000 balance, even a 3% rate reduction saves you $150 a year.

4. Cut back on the convenience foods – fast foods, microwave meals, and so on.  Instead of eating fast food or just nuking some prepackaged food when you get home, try making some simple and healthy replacements that you can take with you. An hour’s worth of preparation one weekend can give you less expensive and more healthy meals and snacks.

5. Join a volunteer program.  It’s a great way to meet new people, get some exercise, and involve yourself in a positive project that can lift your spirit. It also comes without a cost to you and can provide a lot of entertainment and a fulfilling day when you’re in the right mindset.  Find local opportunities at the Volunteer Center.

6. Dig into your community calendar.  There are often tons of free events going on in the Marshfield area that you don’t even know about. Visit the library or chamber, search for events on Facebook or local online community calendars. You can often get free meals, free entertainment, and free stuff just by paying attention – even better, you’ll get in touch with what’s going on around you.

7. Create a visual reminder of your debt. Basically, just make a giant progress bar that starts with the amount of debt you have and ends with zero. Each time you pay down a little bit, fill in a little more of that progress bar. Keep this reminder in a place where you’ll see it often, and keep filling it in regularly. It keeps your eyes on the prize and leads you straight to debt freedom.

8. Hit the library – hard. Don’t look at a library as just a place to get old books. Look at it as a free place to do all sorts of things. I’ve used it to learn a foreign language, meet people, use the Internet anonymously, check out movies and CDs, grab local free newspapers, and keep up on community events. Best of all, it doesn’t cost a dime.

9. Always keep looking ahead.  Don’t let the mistakes of your past drag you down. Look ahead to the future. The choices you make now won’t affect the past – but they definitely will affect the future. Think back, and remember how the bad choices you made earlier are costing you now, and constantly remember to not make those mistakes now so that they don’t cost your future self.

10. Combine your cable, internet and telephone service.  Companies now offer combined services that not only cost less, but offer the convenience of a single bill. Called a Triple Play Package (Cable, Internet, and Phone), these combined service deals can save you a bundle.

Volunteers Needed: Make a Difference Day October 23

Make A Difference Day is Saturday, October 23

8:30 a.m. to Noon

Meet at Marshfield Senior Center, (111 South Maple Ave) for lawn assignments

Come together to rake leaves for those who are unable to do so themselves. You can make a difference — with family, friends, co-workers and neighbors you serve.

Volunteers need to provide their own rakes, gloves and transportation.

Call 715-384-9992 or email your registration by October 18.

When registering please include:  

Contact person, email, phone and address

If group, include group name (family, business, organization), plus above information.

For more information visit our Web site.

Make A Difference Day is coordinated by Marshfield Area Volunteer Center.

Sponsored by Marshfield News-Herald and Marshfield Area United Way.

Celebrate Back to Football Friday with United Way September 10

Calling all Marshfield Area NFL Fans! Show your support in the workplace for the start of the 2010 season and kick off United Way's campaign to advance the common good. 

Back to Football Friday is September 10, 2010. Celebrate the return of NFL Season by showing your team colors September 10—the Friday before opening Sunday.

Get involved at the workplace: get permission from management to hold this "NFL Casual Day" to wear your team jersey's for a $3 donation to Marshfield Area United Way.

Go here to “Like” Marshfield Area United Way's page on Facebook, encourage employees to do the same, and submit pictures of your workplace team in their jerseys, your most die-hard fan or your tailgate party to our Facebook Event Page. 


The most spirited office from the Marshfield area wins a 2010 Green Bay Packers signed football.


For companies without Facebook access, submit pictures here.

Register your workplace at Marshfield Area United Way’s event page http://liveunited.org/page/event/detail/wrwk, select “donate at event.” Submit photos and you’ll be registered for the chance to win a workplace party complete with a special NFL guest.  Individuals can register for the chance to win a trip for two for Super Bowl XLV in Arlington, Texas.

For event ideas, promotional posters and more click here or call 384-9992 for details.

What is Back to Football Friday?

The NFL and United Way are celebrating the launch of the 2010 football season; we are also promoting United Way's work in the area of youth health and fitness.

Locally, dollars raised by Back to Football Friday will be focused on youth and children’s programs.

Volleyball, Road Rally, Can Sculpture and More at Day of Action

AUGUST 21, 2010 -- SECOND ANNUAL DAY OF ACTION


Play for Action Co-Ed Blind Man Volleyball Tournament 


Registration is $60 and is open until the start of the tournament. Prizes awarded to the top three teams. Each player receives a free LIVE UNITED T-Shirt.

Rain or shine starting at noon at Bakerville Sports Bar & Grill (Southwest of Marshfield – 10631 County Road B).

Road Rally at 1 p.m. starting from Bakerville Sports Bar & Grill. 


Registration is $10 per person for teams of 2 or more.

Participants will journey through Marshfield Area United Way’s service area and learn more about education, income, and health services in the community.

A Victory Party will be held at the final destination at 6 p.m. with prizes awarded and entertainment to follow.

To register for the Volleyball Tournament or Road Rally: call 384-9992 or 676-3738 or click here.

Enjoy all Day of Action has to offer with free family activities, competitions, door prizes, raffles and food throughout the day. All proceeds benefit Marshfield Area United Way, creating opportunities for a good life for everyone and advancing the common good in the Marshfield area.

Visit United Way's Web site for more information about Day of Action.

Get together your most creative employees to build a wall against hunger in Soup Or Socks CAN Sculpture Contest at Day of Action August 21.


Use nonperishable food items to create anything from your logo to your favorite midnight snack.


Prizes awarded and all food is donated to Soup Or Socks food pantry to feed hungry families in the Marshfield area.


Registration required--Call Cheryl at
715-387-1796 or souporsockscheryl@gmail.com. Click here for more information.

Register for Volleyball Tournament or Road Rally

Sign up for United Way’s second annual Play for Action Co-Ed Blind Man Volleyball Tournament Saturday, August 21! Registration is $60 and is open until the start of the tournament. Prizes awarded to the top three teams. Each player receives a free LIVE UNITED T-Shirt.

The tournament will take place at United Way’s Day of Action – Rain or shine starting at noon at Bakerville Sports Bar & Grill (Southwest of Marshfield – 10631 County Road B).

Or, join the Road Rally at 1 p.m. starting from Bakerville Sports Bar & Grill. Registration is $10 per person for teams of 2 or more. Participants will journey through Marshfield Area United Way’s service area and learn more about education, income, and health services in the community.

A Victory Party will be held at the final destination at 6 p.m. with prizes awarded and entertainment to follow.

Enjoy all Day of Action has to offer with free family activities, competitions, door prizes, raffles and food throughout the day. All proceeds benefit Marshfield Area United Way, creating opportunities for a good life for everyone and advancing the common good in the Marshfield area.

Soup or Socks food pantry will also host a CAN Sculpture Contest starting at 10 a.m. All items used will be donated to Soup or Socks to help residents in need. Click here to view the flyer.

To register for the Volleyball Tournament or Road Rally:
call 384-9992 or 676-3738 or email Sarah.

Visit http://www.marshfieldareaunitedway.org/ for more information about Day of Action.

Local businesses needed for school supply drive

Marshfield Area Volunteer Center is looking for local businesses to hold Backpack and school supply collections at their location.

The sixth Annual Backpack + Supplies = Success -- Fill a Backpack & Fulfill a Dream school supply drive will be held August 2-12. This year’s city-wide drive is coordinated by the Marshfield Area United Way and Marshfield Clinic’s Center for Community Outreach.

In 2009, 13 area companies donated more than 400 backpacks full with supplies to children in need and collected $500 in donations. They were distributed to elementary schools in Auburndale, Greenwood Loyal, Marshfield, Neillsville, Pittsville Spencer, Stratford as well as Marshfield Middle School.

The average cost of a backpack with supplies is $35. Supplies, plus fees and other costs associated with going back to school strain already tight budgets. Help area youth start the school year prepared, and relieve some stress from their parent's mind.

You can view a list of suggested supplies here.

If your business would like to be a collection site for public donations or want to hold a drive within your company, call Sarah Krenn at 384-9992 or e-mail Sarah.

Tour local gardens for prizes, music, and more!

Marshfield Area Respite Care Center
15th Anniversary Garden Tour

Sunday, June 27, 2010
1 to 4:30 pm
Tickets: $5.00

Featured Gardens:

Guy & Janice Brandl, 503 East Edison St.

Charles and Patti Hastreiter, 800 N. Walnut Ave.

Mary Ann Markee, 808 N. Walnut Ave.

Thelma & Robert Craig, 313 Cherry St.

Brenda & Alex Tilson, 1401 W. Arlington St.

Hamus Nature Preserve and Recreation Area, 201 Wilderness View Drive

There will be a door prize registration and raffle. Punch, pastries, and tea sandwiches will be served. The drawings will be held at Hamus Nature Preserve and Recreation Area.

Floyd Hamus will speak at 2:30 pm on the development of the preserve, artist Terry Howard will be painting a portrait in pastels and local performers will be providing music for your enjoyment.

Tickets available at the Marshfield Area Respite Care Center, Schalow’s Nursery, MAACI, and the gardens the day of the tour.

For further information contact: Marilyn Seidl-Kramer 384-8478 or 305-8224

Supplemental funds applied for: Wood County Chapter of Thrivent Finances for Lutherans

Marshfield Area Respite Care Center is a United Way Partner Program.

United Way & Catholic Charities are now downtown

Marshfield Area United Way and Catholic Charities have relocated to 156 South Central Avenue, Marshfield.  You can find us between Cole's Music and Fringe Hair Studio, across the street from Mittens.  There is parking in the front as well as a back lot.

United Way's mailing address, PO Box 771 will remain the same.  

The new location not only meets our basic needs, but is a beautiful affordable building that offers us the ability to improve our operational efficiency and has room for us to grow. We're really excited about this new location.

Marshfield Area United Way’s service area includes Arpin, Auburndale, Granton, Greenwood, Loyal, Marshfield, Neillsville, Pittsville, Spencer and Stratford.  

For more information about United Way and how you can help advance the common good, visit www.marshfieldareaunitedway.org or call 384-9992.

Get involved and be a part of change: Give. Advocate. Volunteer. LIVE UNITED.

Summer Flower & Garden Fun

With warmer weather in the forecast, get out and enjoy the flowers with these Partner Program events:

Marshfield Area Respire Care Center 15th Anniversary Garden Tour
June 27, 2010 1 - 4:30 p.m.
Tickets: $5
Feature Garden: Jan & Guy Brandl
For more information: Call 384-8478.

Pathway Partners 2010 May Flower Fundraiser at Mill Creek Gardens
8835 Mill Creek Drive, Marshfield (One mile east of the intersection of Highway 13)
Telephone: 715-591-2000

Open: Monday – noon – 7 p.m.
Tuesday - Friday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday - 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday/Holiday - 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

During the month of May Mill Creek Gardens will donate 20% of your plant and 10 & 12 inch hanging basket purchases* to Pathway Partners Mentoring Program when you mention Pathway Partners or present a coupon.

Coupons available at MACCI and Pathway Partners.

*Excludes specialty containers, consignment items & sale prices.

Where's the Beef? For Lunch Thursday

Get a hot lunch delivered to your office Thursday, May 13, and help local organizations!

Order your lunch for Thursday - BBQ beef, pickles, chips and beverage all for $6 from American Red Cross and Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

Your choice of delivery or pick up. Order Deadline Today --Tuesday, May 11 at 2 p.m.

Click here for the order form.

For more information call American Red Cross at 387-0235 or Big Brothers, Big Sisters at 387-6198.

American Red Cross and Big Brothers, Big Sisters are United Way Partner Programs.

Volunteers Need to Stamp Out Hunger

Be a part of the largest food drive in the nation, Saturday May 8.  Join Marshfield Area United Way, National Association of Letter Carriers and the Marshfield Post Office for the 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 appreciated: service can vary from 30 minutes to one or more hours.

To volunteer contact Cheryl Hartl at Soup Or Socks at 387-1796 or email

souporsockscheryl@gmail.com.

On Saturday May 8, place a bag of nonperishable food by your mailbox. Your letter carrier will pick it for distribution to local food pantries, St. Vincent DePaul and Soup Or Socks.

Marshfield area residents donated 20,453 pounds of non-perishable food items in last year's drive to Stamp Out Hunger.

This food is distributed to Soup or Socks and St. Vincent DePaul to help friends, family and neighbors in need.  In the 16 years the Marshfield area has participated, residents have donated a total of 203,388 pounds of food.

For more information about Stamp Out Hunger or United Way call 384-9992.