Each Spring, for the past few years, Marshfield Area United Way has held an annual house raffle. The raffle gave the opportunity for one lucky person to win a new home. Though not enough tickets have been sold in past raffles to give away the house, Marshfield Area United Way has given out more than $115,000 in cash prizes including two cash prizes over $40,000 to two individuals.

This year, Marshfield Area United Way has added a new and exciting dimension to the Dare 2 Dream raffle. The raffle this year will give ticket holders a chance to win a 2013 Ford Mustang or a brand new home. The grand prize for the raffle is contingent on the number of raffle tickets sold.

The raffle structure is as follows…If one to 1199 tickets are sold, the grand prize winner will receive half of the prize money. Should 1200 to 3099 tickets be sold, the winner will be able to choose between a 2013 Ford Mustang or half of the prize money. If 3100-5000 tickets are sold, the winner will be able to choose from a model home from Wisconsin Homes or half of the prize money. The prize money is all proceeds from ticket sales less all taxes and expenses incurred by United Way in connection with the raffle. There will also be second place winner whom will receive a cash prize of $3000 and a third place winner that will receive $1000. The cost for tickets is one ticket for sixty dollars or two for one hundred dollars.

Tickets will go on sale beginning at the Dairyfest Mayor’s Breakfast Friday, June 1, 2012. Five-thousand tickets are available for purchase and will be on sale until they are sold out or until the day of the drawing, Wednesday, August 8, 2012, at 4:30 pm. Tickets will be available at several area locations, including: both Associated Bank locations in Marshfield and the Neillsville branch, Cattails Coffee in the Marshfield Clinic lobby, Central City Credit Union, Heritage Bank in Marshfield and Spencer, the MACCI office, Marshfield Area United Way, Forward Financial Bank locations in Marshfield, State Bank of Marshfield, Stratford State Bank, Time Federal Savings Bank, V&H Automotive and Wisconsin Homes. All ticket sales must be made in person. No phone or internet sales will be available.

For more information about the raffle and the prizes please visit www.marshfieldareauniteway.org or call 715-384-9992. Marshfield Area United Way would like to thank V&H Automotive and Wisconsin Homes for partnering with United Way for the raffle prizes. Proceeds from the raffle will benefit Marshfield Area United Way and help create opportunities for a better life for all in the Marshfield area.

Nystroms To Lead 2012 United Way Campaign

Marshfield Area United Way is committed to improving the quality of life in the Marshfield area by focusing on the areas of education, financial stability, and health and basic needs. Every year, Marshfield Area United Way raises funds to support lo­cal programs and organizations, as well as, internal initiatives that address our most vital human service needs. As part of this process, United Way recruits people who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done.

Marshfield Area United Way is pleased to announce Al and Amy Nystrom will be leading this year’s United Way Campaign to raise the funds to support these programs and initiatives. Al, Community President at M&I Bank, is a Marshfield native. He moved back to the area with wife, Amy, Chief Financial Officer at Dental Crafters, in 1997. They have two children, Danielle and Brad, whom they have raised here for most of their lives.

“We are honored and humbled. We have been blessed with a strong family, caring community, and a great opportunity to help others. We are driven to use these gifts in the service of others,” said Al Nystrom about being asked to lead this year’s campaign.

As Campaign Drive Chairs, Al and Amy hope to raise not only funds but also awareness in the community. “There are so many basic needs within our community. Whether it’s domestic violence, homelessness, hunger, depression, or loneliness, it’s happening next door. This is not a big city issue. These are your neighbors.” said Amy Nystrom.

Al also added that they want to help people understand that they are giving through United Way, rather than to United Way. “United Way is simply a conduit for helping a mom buy a backpack, or a father put food on the family table. Your gift is not about United Way; it’s about reaching out and lifting up your neighbors.”

Money raised during this fall’s campaign will fund and support 31 local programs and initiatives that work to help youth reach their full potential, help provide resources and assistance for people to work toward financial stability, and help build strong families by teaching skills and providing resources to maintain good health and independence.

Both Al and Amy are very involved in the community. Al has served and continues to serve on many Board of Directors and committees. He is currently Vice Chairman for the Marshfield Clinic Development Committee, serves as a board member for the Marshfield Noon Rotary Club and Marshfield Area Chamber Foundation. He is also a Chairman for the Business Improvement District Board and involved in organizing Rotary Winter Wonderland and Mike’s Run for Mental Health. Al also serves as the Finance Chair for Our Lady of Peace Church.

Amy, a past Marshfield Area United Way Board Member, is also a past member of the Marshfield Sunrise Rotary Club. She currently serves on the Marshfield Area Catholic Schools Education Commission Board as well as the Marshfield Area Catholic Schools Finance Committee. Amy is also an active volunteer with many local programs and organizations, including: Home Delivered Meals, Marshfield Clinic Farm Medicine Center, and Mike’s Run for Mental Health. Amy is also a former Heart Walk Chairman for the American Heart Association.

Join the Nystroms and United Way and be a part of the change. Together, united, people can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better life for all. You can give. You can advocate. You can volunteer. That’s what it means to LIVE UNITED. For more information about Marshfield Area United Way, its funded programs or how you can get involved, please call 715-384-9992 or visit www.marshfieldareaunitedway.org.