Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Holm's To Be First Family To Lead United Way Campaign This Fall



Traditionally, Marshfield Area United Way selects two volunteers as Campaign Drive Chairs to help bring awareness to and to help steer the annual fundraising campaign. This year, things will be a bit different. United Way is thrilled to announce the very first family that will be leading the community fundraising campaign this coming Fall. Jay and Jill Holm, and their three children, will take the lead as the United Way Campaign Drive Chairs for 2016.

Jay, born in Green Bay and raised in The Woodlands TX before moving to Marshfield in 2005, and Jill, a farm girl born and raised in Auburndale Wisconsin, are the proud parents of the three children, McKenzie (age 9), Max (age 7), and Madden(age 4). Jay and Jill are also the owners/operators of  RiverEdge Golf Course and Banquet Facility. Since purchasing RiverEdge in 2009, the two have worked side-by-side in an effort to provide a multitude of services to the local community.

The Holm’s feel honored to have their family be the Drive Chairs for the United Way Campaign. “Reflecting upon the impressive list of past Drive Chairs that’s filled with so many community leaders and influential role models, it’s humbling that we would even be considered for such an important position for the 2016 Campaign,” said Jay. “We truly appreciate the opportunity to represent United Way and the community as a whole.”

Jay and Jill look forward to bringing awareness to needs in the community to a different generation. When asked about their goals as Campaign Drive Chairs Jill said, “As a young family with kids in the school system it’s hard not to notice what appears to be a decline in community needs awareness, among our age group. We feel, for future society leadership, that it’s imperative for our youth to understand that we as adults have a responsibility to give back to our community and help where you can. We understand that not everyone is in a position to donate financially, but everyone can do something whether that means giving resources, donating their time or helping bring awareness to needs in the community.”

As the owners of a facility that hosts some of the area’s most prestigious charity events and banquets, Jay and Jill have noticed that the younger age group makes up only a small percentage of a large majority of people who are committed to and participate in supporting these community organizations. The Holm’s want to see that change. Jay said, “It would be our position that this needs to be addressed sooner rather than later to ensure the longevity of all the great organizations in our community.”

Please join Jay and Jill and their children this Fall by participating in the United Way campaign. For more information about Marshfield Area United Way’s work in the community and to find out how you can become involved, please visit www.marshfieldareaunitedway.org.

Tuesday, March 08, 2016

Your Community Needs You...



“It is kind of like having to choose between your children.”  This was a statement that was made by  It really was an accurate statement.  Requests to United Way for 2016 totaled almost $682,000 and with $530,000 available to grant, it made for some very difficult decisions.  So how do the volunteers decide?  Through an extensive process of application reviews and interviews and deliberations individuals representing local businesses are the ones who determine the amount of funding for programs applying for United Way funding.  A number of factors weigh into the decision making process.  Including:  How critical is this service for our community?  Without United Way funding will this program cease to operate?  If United Way is supporting multiple programs for an agency can we afford to support all of the programs, or do we need to determine which program is most important for our community and focus our funding in that area?  How many people does this program impact?  What does the organization have available in reserves funds?  What are the outcomes for the program?  It really was a difficult process this year.  All of the programs that submitted applications are excellent programs that contribute to the quality of life in our community.  However, there was simply not enough money to fund all of the programs that applied for funding.
one of our thirty volunteers that were involved in allocating funds that were raised during the 2015 campaign to area non-profits.

During the fall United Way campaign, one of the things that we tell potential donors is that funding raised by the campaign stays local, and that the amount that is raised directly translates into what we have available to invest into our community.  It’s hard since donors all have programs and organizations that they want United Way to support, unfortunately there are just not enough resources to support all of the programs.  I hope that in the future when individuals are asked to support United Way they remember that there is a direct correlation between the amount United Way is able to raise in the community and the support of needed services.  Be generous!  Your community needs you!

Paula Jero, Executive Director
Marshfield Area United Way