Companies have summer fun

Pacesetter companies Heritage Bank and Central City Credit Union embraced running their campaign early by holding special events that took advantage of the warm summer weather.

Heritage Bank held an Ice Cream Sale outside the bank.

Sundaes, made with care, were served with all the yummy fixings—sprinkles, fudge and strawberry toppings.

This even included “Drive Up Service” where employees helping at the stand would bring a sundae to customers in their vehicles. (Left)

What great service!

Central City Credit Union held brat fry’s, a garage sale and also set their employees up in a dunk booth to take a swim.

Katy Meier was one of the lucky tellers to experience the dunk tank.

At right, Katy looks on as someone lines up their shot.

Below left, Katy watches the ball sail in right before it connects with its target.

United Way invests excess dollars in community programs

This spring Marshfield Area United Way is able to fill existing funding gaps in seven United Way programs to help them better serve the community. This additional funding of $14,840 is available because funds raised by Marshfield Area United Way’s annual campaign results exceeded its total allocation budget for 2007.

Each spring, programs put together a packet detailing their program’s missions and goals, financials, how they help people and ways they are improving our community.

Volunteers from all walks of life review these packets, speak with program representatives and make recommendations to the Board of Directors to decide what funding the applicants receive. At the end of the process, there are programs each Review Panel recommends for additional funding, if United Way has the financial ability to do so.

Last year Marshfield Area United Way Board of Directors sought to address the growing needs of the community and Partner Programs by increasing the goal 4.5 percent over funds raised in 2005, to raise more than one million dollars. When this amount was met, the Community Impact Committee (CIC) went back to the recommendations made in 2006.

This supplemental program funding is directed to programs addressing the community’s most critical needs as outlined in Community & Basic Needs, Families & Seniors and Youth Initiatives Impact Areas. Funding will invest in many resources focusing on improving program outcomes and services such as more staff hours for outreach programs, gas vouchers for patients seeking dental care, in addition to vouchers for fresh produce and milk for food pantry participants.

“Because of the generosity of our community in the past two years, we have money to invest back into programs. In addition to our supplemental funding, United Way has approved several grants awarded earlier this month,” said Kim Baltus, executive director.

Evaluating community needs and working towards solutions is a year-round process. Programs submit progress reports with numbers served and any obstacles they are facing. Human service programs and community leaders meet throughout the year to share ideas and discuss community needs and solutions through Vision Councils.

“Serving our community is an ongoing process, and we need to remain aware of the changing needs of our area. We’re fortunate this year to have extra funding available and the CIC plans to meet monthly evaluating needs and making funding recommendations to continue investing in Marshfield area’s success,” said Sarah Krenn, community impact coordinator.

Marshfield Area United Way serves people living and working in the Marshfield area (northern Wood County, areas in Clark County, Spencer and Stratford). To learn more about United Way, get involved or volunteer during the impact process, call 384-9992 or visit marshfieldareaunitedway.org.

Spring blooms results in the community

With spring flowers in bloom and summer on its way, people are coming outside to landscape and plant flowers. Last weekend we picked out flowers and plants to put in hanging baskets and flower beds. I also cleared the brush off my herb patch in the backyard. It’s always exciting to see the new sprouts, but with new growth there also come weeds. The hours of hard work are rewarding once I can see the herb plants again.

Spring time at United Way calls for hundreds of volunteer hours, and they’re not spent tending a garden. Instead, people from all walks of life throughout our area give the community their time to help decide which programs will receive funding in 2008. Currently funded programs, as well as new ones, submit an application which includes mission, goals, budgets, results and number of people served in North Wood County, Neillsville, Stratford and Spencer.

These volunteers read the applications in-depth, taking time to learn about Partner Programs, our community’s needs and results accomplished in the previous years. It’s armed with this information that they evaluate applications and make recommendations. Everyone takes this role very seriously because they know they are trusted to make the decision that will make the greatest impacts in the community.

Impact means getting to the heart of a problem to create long lasting change in the lives of people and our community. United Way funding isn’t about throwing money at a quick fix. We want to find out why a situation is happening in the first place and set something in place to prevent it.

It’s like maintaining a garden; the weeds prevent my herbs from thriving. In order for the plants to get rain and sunshine, I need to get down on my hands and knees and pull out all the other weeds stealing the nutrients. This stops the problem temporarily. To prevent the weeds from coming back I need to lay down mulch to stop it from choking out the herbs again. And the results are healthy, flourishing plants.

It’s exciting to see results from the current programs and new initiatives they are undertaking. Have you seen the results? They’re everywhere in our community. Elementary students are receiving preventative dental care, youth of all ages are participating in after school activities and homebound residents are receiving daily hot, nutritious meals, to mention only a few.

We are working together to change lives and make the Marshfield area a better place for people to live and work. United Way programs and volunteers are addressing critical issues facing our family, friends and neighbors every day, during every month of the year … that’s what matters.

If you are interested in attending Vision Councils or volunteering talents and skills you would like to share with United Way or one of the Partner Programs call 394-9992. To learn more about Marshfield Area United Way’s Impact Process and how we’re at work in the community, visit marshfieldareaunitedway.org or email unitedway@tznet.com.

United Way grants emergency funds for water heater repair

You don’t think about how much you depend on hot water until your water heater isn’t working. Suddenly, washing dishes and bathing, normally a simple task becomes a laborious and stressful event.

Rosemary Huber and staff at North Central Community Action Program, a United Way funded program, knew they were running on borrowed time with the water heater at Capistry Town Homes. The 7-year-old water heater was repaired in November and started acting up again in January.

The staff would continually have to restart the heater when it would stop working to get it functioning again. “We had to baby it through, to keep it up and running,” Huber said.

Capistry Town Homes is an affordable housing complex in Marshfield that’s home to seven adults and eight children. Residents of this one story, handicap-accessible apartment building never knew if their water would be working that day.

Huber said hot water is a necessity, especially for this home. “We have a very tiny baby living there who needs daily baths,” she said.

House of Heating employees even helped get the heater running throughout the day and night when it would stop. “They were awesome about coming out to look at it—trying to find what was wrong,” Huber said.

But the final diagnosis was it would be cheaper to purchase a new heater rather than fix the current one again. That’s when Rosemary called Marshfield Area United Way. “It’s hard to maintain affordable housing and keep maintenance funds at a level to cover an emergency like this,” Huber said.

Huber requested an emergency grant to allow repair that would provide residents dependable hot water again.

The United Way Executive Committee reviewed the information about the heater’s history and price quotes Huber collected for new installation. It voted and granted one-time emergency funds.

“It seems to me that this is an immediate basic need that we should provide support for. Housing is one of the top priorities in emerging needs and this is one of the few sources providing this type of service,” said Marsha Barwick, board president.

Huber expressed her gratitude to everyone who was involved getting the new heater, which was installed shortly after her grant request was approved. “It means a lot to the residents, everyone’s efforts, getting us through to keep hot water,” she said.

“This is a great example of the Impact Process at work. There was an issue affecting our neighbors, we looked at the facts, worked together and the result is hot water for local families and children,” said Kim Baltus, executive director.

It wouldn’t have been possible without all of the people who work and live in the Marshfield area—from the volunteer hours of the Executive Committee, contributions and the dedication House of Heating showed providing a helping hand. Working together, we can accomplish more than any one program or person can do alone.

Mentoring program needs volunteers

Entry by: Amber Kiggens-Leifheit, Pathway Partners, Program Coordinator

Pathway Partners’ mission is “to expose high school students to nurturing relationships with caring adults and to the diversity of opportunities and experiences in our community. We feel that these experiences will enhance student’s life skills and enable them to make successful transitions to post high school education and employment.”

Students and mentors are matched according to similar interests, hobbies, or career paths. Pathway Partners has been mentoring students at Marshfield High School for 8 years, helping more than 540 students. We are a United Way Partner Program and also get funding from our bi-yearly fundraisers, Altrusa, Good Sheppard Lutheran Church and community donations.

The program is open to all students at Marshfield High School. We work in close collaboration with students with disabilities, students who are credit deficient and students at the Alternative High School. We have a wide variety of students, all ability levels, and many diverse interests. There are close to 100 mentor-student matches this year.

Our statistics show being mentored by an adult substantially helps students make career plans. 100 percent of the students mentored have graduated, compared to 96.3 percent of the student population at Marshfield High School. 78.5 percent went to college or technical school compared to 74.7 percent of their respective classmates.

Positive effects are seen in student grades, school attendance, behavior and reduced detentions. Other benefits include increased self-confidence, positive attitude and communication skills. In a recent survey, 100 percent of our graduates said they would recommend this program to younger students. Many commented the program improved their ability to talk with adults, offered them another perspective other than their parents and gave them confidence in their career choice so they were able to declare a major before entering college, saving them time and money.

The ratio of guidance counselors to students at MHS is 340:1. Students need more help than a guidance counselor with that kind of case load can offer. Mentors listen, give advice; often with a different perspective than the student’s parent. Mentors are an advocate for the students. A mentor’s goal is to see that the student is successful. You can never have too many people in the student’s corner.

Some studies have shown those students who are first generation; meaning that their parents have not gone on to higher education, especially benefit from a mentor who helps them to see possible alternatives. These young people do not know about all the possibilities that exist unless someone takes an interest in them. They often have trouble once they get to college, because they do not know what to expect. A mentor often helps students to reach for higher goals, encouraging them. Young women often need encouragement to strive for a higher goal.

The best way for the student to decide if they really want to pursue a career is to see first hand what goes on at a business or workplace. Mentors help students apply to colleges, wade through mountains of paperwork and apply for scholarships. Some mentors report their students really have everything figured out and they are more or less a sounding board, someone who can listen.

We ask that all mentors meet once a month for an hour with their student. Mentors could ideally work with the same student for the student’s whole high school career. Many mentors are still in touch with their students during college and afterwards, having made a long lasting friendship.

We need volunteers. We are looking for caring, responsible adult volunteers, who are willing to share their knowledge with a student. To volunteer call 387-8464 ext 384 or e-mail:
leifheita@marshfield.k12.wi.us.

Happy Hour for United Way

Gather friends and enjoy an evening out for United Way. Happy Hour for United Way, hosted by Sue Decker & guest bartender Jenny Sadauskas.

Thursday, April 26 from 6-8 p.m. at the Rose Bowl

Thursday, May 3 from 5-7 p.m. at Utopia Lounge, delicious food provided by Gianeselli’s

Wednesday, May 9 from 5-7 p.m. at Potsie’s

Volunteers hard at work during Impact Funding

Earlier this week, if you visited the United Way office, you would have been surrounded by stacks of packets and three ring binders. Yes, it’s time for our funding cycle, which means application packets from current Partner Programs and new programs.

Each year, programs put together a packet detailing their program’s missions and goals, financials, how they help people and ways they are improving our community.

Volunteers from all walks of life will review these packets, have an opportunity to speak with program representatives and then decide what funding the applicants receive. These volunteer teams will make funding recommendations and the board will review and allocate in May.

Because the campaign exceeded goal, the Impact Committee will look at needs and funding requests from last year’s application and give supplemental funding, additional to money granted for 2007, to current Partner Programs.

This isn’t the only funding process United Way has though. There are also grant opportunities in May, August and November, when funds are available. Venture funds are granted for new programs addressing community needs and supplemental funding for existing programs that have unforeseen costs.

We’re working together to touch the lives of your family, friends and neighbors throughout the Marshfield area who need help.

Companion Day Services connects children, students and seniors

By Sara Riedel, CSW, Companion Day Services Director, 715-387-4411

Taking care of a senior spouse, grandparent, parent or loved one, especially if he or she is in need of regular supervision and assistance, can be difficult. What do you do if you need to work during the week, attend medical appointments or just need time away to focus on yourself? Is your loved one able to stay at home alone? If not, Companion Day Services can help. We’ll look after your loved one when you are not able to. Let us help you get your life and the life of your loved one back.

Companion Day Services (CDS) is a Social Adult Day Service program. CDS is part of the Tiny Tiger Intergenerational Center opening soon in Marshfield. The center will provide three interacting services: child care, adult care and a Human Services Academy Charter School under one roof. The facility is designed to bring generations together to interact and support one another. We will provide “learning for all ages and care for all stages.” We will be the first in the nation to offer this combination of services.

CDS is designed to meet the needs of:
1) Adults who are recovering from a recent illness, injury or surgery
2) Frail or socially isolated adults living at home, alone or with a caregiver
3) Adults experiencing a decrease in physical, mental or social functioning (including those suffering memory loss).
Participants of CDS may be facing different challenges, such as loneliness, forgetfulness, depression or the frailties of aging. Others face obstacles like strokes, early Alzheimer’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, cognitive disabilities, Down’s Syndrome as well as other illnesses or injuries.

Participant needs will be met through our comprehensive programs designed to:
1) Help delay the progress of a participant’s existing disability
2) Preserve or improve the participants health and level of functioning
3) Maintain a participant’s level of independence
4) Establish an individual plan of care based on an assessment of personal needs and strengths
5) Assist with activities of daily living and personal care provided in a safe and secure environment
6) Provide nutritional meals and snacks.
7) Foster companionship through social interactions with other participants, children and students

If you or someone you know is interested in receiving more information about Companion Day Services, feel free to call Sara Riedel, CDS Director at 715-387-4411 or email at companionday@hotmail.com.

Thanks to our Marshfield Community for their support.

Impact Process produces results you can see across the Marshfield area

The campaign is over—but that doesn’t mean we’re not busy at United Way. The Impact Process is in full swing.

In January we met with the three Vision Councils: Community & Basic Needs, Families & Seniors and Youth Initiatives. The Vision Councils are comprised of volunteers from human service programs and other programs working day to day with the community—from teachers, police officials, housing leaders, etc.

In the community’s Impact Plan, there are two levels: Emerging Issues and Community Services. Emerging Issues are identified needs in the community that if not addressed, will have a negative impact in other areas that will affect our quality of life. Community Services are core issues and services that are the foundation of a healthy community.

Last fall, the Vision Councils evaluated the goals set in 2003 and progress that’s been made since then. They have taken their findings to update the priorities and emerging needs of the Impact Plan.

Community & Basic Needs and Families & Seniors:
· Add transportation as an Emerging Issue
· Collaborate to investigate needs in dental care

Youth Initiatives:
· Move Life Skills & Self Esteem to Community Services—because programs in our community have done a fantastic job addressing this former emerging issue by creating and expanding programming to serve youth in our community.
· Add Safe Activities for youth: birth to age 11
· Add Safe Activities for youth: ages 12+

The Vision Councils will investigate these issues throughout the year and work towards solutions to helping those in need throughout the Marshfield area.

It’s exciting to see results from the current programs and new initiatives they are undertaking. Have you seen the results? They’re everywhere in our community. Elementary students are receiving preventative dental care, youth of all ages are participating in after school activities and homebound residents are receiving daily hot, nutritious meals, to mention only a few.

This spring, we take these needs and results to Review Panels to decide funding for 2008. We are working towards providing for priority or emerging needs throughout our community, ensuring your dollars are spent carefully.

It’s an ongoing, always changing process—working all year long to provide the best services to care for our community.

If you want to be attend a Vision Council meeting or participate in the Impact Process contact Community Impact Coordinator Sarah Krenn at 384-9992 or volunteercenter@tznet.com.

4:02 on a Friday Afternoon

Happy Friday afternoon to everyone out there.... but of course if you're not reading this on a Friday afternoon Happy _________________ (insert day and time here).

It's almost 4 o'clock, and boy has this been an interesting week. We're wrapping up campaign and preparing for the Thank You event.

The office is embracing the New Year. Sarah is starting the Community Impact process, Jeanne is preparing for the audit (you should see her stacks!) and I'm familiarizing myself with my new computer and working hard to get the Thank You program done. I think I have put all the final touches on it--now it needs to be proofread a few times before I copy and put it together.

Reading through and typing names for the Marsh Society pages WAS NOT fun. When Jeanne and I proofread it, I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't make (too) many mistakes.

The program isn't that big or special, but boy, it takes a lot of work to put together.

Of course, as one campaign comes to a close, we start planning for our new year. Sarah and I are going to work together to bring you the messages of Community Impact. I also want to revamp our web site. This was a goal of mine for 2006, but it didn't come to pass. We updated it more, though (that counts for something, right?).

Neither Jeanne or myself have any formal experience in Web design--so the thought of changing what we have is a scary one. But I feel a new web site would serve the community better and be easier for us to update and use.

There really are too many things to tell you about right now ... especially for 4:00 on a Friday afternoon.

But my New Years Resolution is to bring you blogs more frequently--so hopefully you'll be reading about all our adventures in the months to come.

Benefit Concert for United Way

Guitar soloists, Tom Vinnedge and Kurt Morgan Dovenbarger will perform a mix of traditional covers and original songs at a concert to benefit United Way on Saturday, December 2, 2006, at 7:30pm at the Chestnut Avenue Center for the Arts in downtown Marshfield, WI.

Tom Vinnedge and Kurt Morgan Dovenbarger are local area residents who have recently relocated to the Marshfield area, bringing a wealth of musical experience with them.

Tom Vinnedge arrived in Marshfield from the Twin Cities. His recording credits include two LP’s. His first solo LP, "Lend Me Your Ear," was recorded at Orphane Records, and a second was recorded with Scarecrow Joe at Audio Images Studio in St. Paul.

Kurt Dovenbarger, a Marshfield native, resided in Madison and Milwaukee for the past 25 years. He has recently moved back to the area and will be performing locally.

A music school graduate, Kurt played professionally and taught private lessons in the Milwaukee area for 19 years. Working with a wide variety of bands incorporating rock, blues, country, wedding music, he has opened for such acts as Head East, Eddie Money, Joan Jett, The
Go Go’s. He is perhaps best known for his work with Three James Morgan, a Milwaukee-based rock band who released CD’s in 1999 and 2002. "There's no mistaking that these guys are ace players," exclaimed Scott Wooldridge, quoted in OnMilwaukee.com.

Kurt currently plays solo and duo acts and has established a teaching studio in Marshfield. He hopes to expand the music scene in the Marshfield area and is looking forward to meeting new musicians and local talents.

Tickets to the benefit event will be $5 at the door, with proceeds going to Marshfield Area United Way. Event sponsored by Success Realty. For more information call the Chestnut Avenue Center for the Arts at 715-389-8999 or visit www.chestnutARTS.org. The Center is located in downtown Marshfield at the corner of Third Street and Chestnut Avenue.

Thank You! from everyone at United Way

We're making great progress this year ... and we couldn't have done it without everyone's help.

Thank you to:

Volunteers
Partner Programs
Board Members
Campaign Coordinators
Community Businesses
Campaign Volunteers
Supervisors who give us time to give presentations
Employees across the community who listen to our presentations
Everyone who's contributed so far ...

On behalf of the people who you have touched in the Marshfield area ... we thank you!

Click this link to view a special thank you card http://studio.unitedway.org/thanksgiving/

2-1-1 Celebrates One Year Anniversary

Have you had a community information question that you just couldn’t find the answer to? How many phone books did you page through? You could save all that time, just by dialing 2-1-1.

United Way’s First Call 2-1-1 celebrates its first anniversary, November 1, 2006. Residents of Adams, Clark and Wood Counties are connecting to answers by dialing this simple, easy to remember number any time of day, every day of the week.

Since rollout 2-1-1 has received 2,225 calls, up from 1,378 from last year, helping people get the information they need about health and human service programs in their community. Every call is free and confidential. When you dial 2-1-1 you will speak to a trained information and referral specialist who can help you break down the situation and find the answers you need.

Available 24 hours a day, everyday—2-1-1 provides benefit to our communities by tracking community needs and identifying unmet needs.

September 11, 2001, showed a need for community preparedness and reliable information source in time of a local or national emergency. This lead to a 2003 bi-partisan effort by Senators Hilary Clinton and Elizabeth Dole to encourage a national move to make information easily accessible through 2-1-1 call centers.

First Call for Information has been available in the Marshfield area since 1981. Throughout the years it’s been growing with community needs and the transition to 2-1-1 was the next logical step for the program to continue expanding to serve the community. A listserv for professionals, civic and social organization is now available to alert users of news and material that are available. To sign up, email 211resources@uwfirstcall.org or call 2-1-1.

So the next time you’re wondering about the hours of the senior center or looking for more information about childcare—pick up the telephone and dial 2-1-1.

With the support of Marshfield Area United Way, United Way of South Wood County United Way, Black River Country United Way, Heart of Wisconsin United Way, Adams County, Saint Joseph’s Ministry Health Care Fund, 2-1-1 is available for you to get or give help.

Campaign means waiting

Yesterday was our second count. A count is when we gather all the company envelopes that have been turned in to banks and our office, check and record what they have raised. We have two finance volunteers help our two staff members count the contents of all the envelopes. We record the contributions: how many payroll deductions, checks, cash, special events, count what's in the envelope, record it on the campaign envelope, count sheet and deposit slip. Then we double check everything.

Last year, at our third count, one company turned in a special event that had a lot of coins. Counting more than a $100 worth of coins leaves an impact on you. Jeanne and I laughed at our finance member groaning each time she made a pile of 100 pennies. We both had been there ourselves. And later that morning, we had to count that same bag of coins to make sure that we recorded the right number.

A count that takes a long time has the potential to be good ... or bad. Good because it means there were a lot of donations. Bad because we didn't balance--have the same amount on our sheets compared to money in.

After our counts, it's the waiting game. Then Jeanne comes back to the office to enter all the information, calculate percent increases and losses. After each count I send an update to our campaign volunteers who distribute envelopes to businesses and a press release to the radio and paper.

Yesterday I got the "shell" ready. I laid out the basic bones of the updates, wrote what I could. But now I wait.

We do more waiting then you might think during campaign. We start preparing for campaign season in February when we discuss our theme, ideas for the year. We work on the video and program funding is decided in April and May. June and July is the heavy lifting finding Pacesetters, preparing their materials and ordering our campaign supplies. August the Pacesetters start their campaigns and we begin presentations. I spend two or three months of this time researching, interviewing and writing articles.

But now, most campaigns have started. All the materials are ordered ... we're running out of some. Once we had about eight campaign presentations a week, now we're down to maybe two.

It's the waiting game. Waiting for campaigns to come in with totals, waiting for updates about who's down and by how much--or who had a spectacular year. Each day is different.

One Executive Director from a small United Way in Illinois said through our United Way listserv during campaign time each day was like Christmas morning. I never remembered Christmas being so stressful.

Campaign is exciting ... going into companies, meeting new people, seeing fun ideas and creative events. It's also heart warming to see the effort people bring to their campaigns and their contribution. Our communities really understand the good they do by contributing. We work very hard all year long--not just during September through December--making sure we're getting results and making positive change in our community.

But today, I wait.

Recognize and tribute those who’ve experienced domestic violence

By Personal Development Center, 384-2971

October is domestic violence awareness month—a time to recognize and pay tribute to the survivors of domestic abuse. They have overcome incredible barriers in order to find safety and a path to happiness for themselves and their children. We also remember those who lost their lives at the hands of their abuser.

So far this year we have been bombarded by headlines of the violent deaths in our area. This demonstrates how widespread the problem is and the seriousness of the crimes.

A pregnant woman was murdered by her abusive partner—a violent death, having a glass candy dish shoved down her throat.

The effects of domestic violence have a high cost: in human lives and impact in our community.

The Personal Development Center continues to feel the effects of the influx of domestic violence in the communities we serve. Through the second quarter of this year, the North Wood DV Program has served 245 victims of domestic violence through our crisis and transitional services, which is up 40 people from this time last year.

The Clark County Outreach Program has served 53 participants this year, which is an increase of 37.

We continue to be saddened by the stories of domestic violence victims and their children who live in fear in homes plagued by power, control and violence. Yet we are continually amazed by the strength and determination of the survivors who are able to find their way to safety and can begin to rebuild their lives. Their success is truly an inspiration to all of us and helps us continue our mission to create a community where violence has no place.

Dr. Phil references 2-1-1

Exciting news for United Way's 2-1-1.

Dr. Phil was working with guests who are working their way out of debt. Dr. Phil announced United Way's 2-1-1 as a country-wide resource for people looking for community information.

Follow this link http://drphil.com/shows/show/773/ to check out Dr. Phil's guests and other money-managing and debt control links. This reference is a great opportunity to let our nation know about their free, confidential inforamtion and referral number.

GoodSearch for United Way

You can raise money for United Way by the click of your mouse. As simple as that, no catches, no strings, no pop-ups, only results—by contributing to Marshfield Area United Way.

How? Just use GoodSearch.com as your default search engine. Powered by Yahoo!, GoodSearch was founded by a brother and sister team Ken and JJ Ramberg, who wanted to make it easier for people to support their favorite causes. The site is dedicated to their mother, who they lost to cancer.

It works like other search engines; the difference is GoodSearch shares the revenue it generates from advertisers. So, every time a user performs a search, a portion of those ad dollars go back into the community.

And if you’re wondering how much revenue can be generated by search engines overall, consider this. Last year, search engines reportedly generated close to $6 billion in revenue from advertisers.

Each completed search raises a penny for United Way. So, for example, if 500 people search two times a day during one year, Marshfield Area United Way would receive an estimated $3,650, to help improve lives and build stronger communities in the Marshfield area.

That means having more resources to address community needs that matter most. And you can keep track of our estimated earnings by clicking on “Amount Raised” once you select Marshfield Area United Way as your organization of choice. As of September 7, searches for United Way have raised $8.79.

The more people who use the search engine on behalf of United Way, the more money we earn. So please spread the word.

GoodSearch for United Way: Donate every time you hit search! Powered by Yahoo!
1. Visit www.goodsearch.com. Where it says “I’m supporting…” Type United Way and click Verify.
2. Scroll down and select United Way—Marshfield Area. Now Search and donate to United Way for free!
3. Download the toolbar, set www.goodsearch.com as your home page or add to your favorites.

Follow Microsoft and Mickey’s lead when it comes to program branding

Entry By Stacey Oelrich, Marshfield Area United Way, Community Relations Development Coordinator, unitedway.stacey@tznet.com

Quick—think about what ABC’s (the television broadcast company) logo looks like. Can you picture it? What about Disney? Or Starbucks? Chances are you can see these logos pretty clearly in your mind if you actually think about them. And there are probably hundreds of other symbols, words or graphics that you see in your day-to-day life that make you think of their corresponding company without giving it a second thought or much effort.

And that’s exactly what they want: to be instantly identifiable. Each of these companies have an entire staff working and researching on the best way to present their company.

They call it Branding, think of it as how you present your program in the community. Microsoft’s brand is worth 65 billion dollars. While a brand doesn’t directly generate revenue, it can influence if people remember your program.

Just like the supermarket, consumers pay more or go out of their way for name brand items. They do this because they recognize the name, trust or believe in the product and think it has benefits or a higher quality than its generic counterpart.

You can use these brand concepts to work for you. By choosing a logo, graphic or brandmark that represents your program and consistently using it, you are developing your brand. If you are a local office of a state or national organization (ex: our local United Way is under the parent organization of United Way of America) utilize the national logos, and find out what rules or regulations they require you to follow—this may already be a benefit of your membership dues. This takes a lot of the leg work away from your workload. Chances are, just like Microsoft, Disney and ABC, they used their resources to research, design and evaluate the most effective look and consistent message to present.

Your goal is to have an instantly recognizable logo that brings value to your organization. As people are “shopping” for programs, you’ll only benefit if they know your logo and trust your program. That’s why we ask you to include the United Way logo on your materials. We’re working towards a consistent, valuable brand—that you can benefit from.

If you don’t have a national affiliate you can brand your organization as well. Chose a logo, colors (around three, perhaps those in or that compliment your logo). Develop a logo that can be converted to black and white and grayscale for different printing projects.

Distinguish where you will place your logo: left, right, top, bottom? Once you decide, don’t change it! Don’t switch to green because you are sick of blue—this lessens the chance that people will immediately recognize your logo—which is working against your brand value.

It takes five different experiences to recognize and remember a logo or brand, and after this, people start developing a trust and relationship with your program’s branding. So as you’re getting sick of your logo or how you phrase your message, remember many people are hearing it for the first time.

Vision Councils connect to impact the Marshfield area

Entry by: Stacey Oelrich, Community Relations Development Coordinator

Last weekend, I went to my friend’s wedding in De Pere. We checked into the hotel, and one of the first things I did was pull out my laptop, pop in my WIFI-wireless card and connect to the hotel’s wireless network.

When I lived in Green Bay, we had a wireless network set up in our apartment. I thought it was absolutely brilliant that I could search for recipes as I was getting ready for supper in the kitchen or sitting outside on our patio to work.

I rarely missed an opportunity to unplug my laptop and wander around the apartment to talk, work or just be connected to all of these opportunities on the Internet.

Networks are important. But computers aren’t the only ones using networks to share information. Networking is a way to advance careers, and they also allow the community to connect.

Sometimes in this busy world of ours it’s hard to take the time to connect. These connections make such a significant difference in our daily lives and at United Way, we think it’s important to find the time to share information, foster relationships and work together to make the community a better place to live and work.

Marshfield Area United Way hosts Vision Councils as a part of our Community Impact Process. They are a gathering of people of all professions coming together to make change because they care about making an impact in our service area.

We ask these residents and professionals to assess needs of each of our Impact Areas, which is then taken to the Community Impact Committee that reviews funding applications of programs serving the community’s needs.

Vision Councils meet throughout the year, so we are able to keep a pulse on our service area’s emerging and priority needs. Each Vision Council focuses on a different Impact Area: Community & Basic Needs, Families & Seniors and Youth Initiatives.

It’s easy to become involved in a Vision Council; you just need an interest in the community to come to the meetings. Everyone’s input and ideas collectively help the group achieve goals, find solutions and go forward on projects that may not have been possible before.

During these meetings everyone shares information about what works, events that might be fun or beneficial, and problems they may have encountered. These leaders know they need accomplish real lasting change, not settle for quick fixes.

The Vision Councils’ setting encourages people to share ideas and talk through issues. This allows participants to see the situation from different perspectives and seek opinions.

We have found in all our technological advances, the good old-fashioned meeting still helps people gather information and build connections. Together, we can do so much more than any one of us can do alone.

Working together to change lives and make the Marshfield area a better place for people to live and work … that’s what matters.

To learn more about Vision Councils and when they meet, call Marshfield Area United Way at 384-9992.

Mentors show Pathway to Success

Congratulations to Pathway Partners! Selected as Volunteer Center's Adult Group Volunteer of the Year!


Entry By Amber Kiggens-Leifheit, Pathway Partners, Program Coordinator -- Partner Program

Pathway Partners, in its eight year at Marshfield High School, is the only school based mentoring program in Central Wisconsin. Students and mentors are matched according to similar interests, hobbies or career paths.

We have been very fortunate to have approximately 100 caring, responsible volunteers who have worked more than 1200 hours to help mentor 100 students. They have met with their students at least once a month helping in a variety of ways. They listen, give advice, they are an advocate for the student. A mentor’s goal is to see that the student is successful.

The best way for the student to decide if they really want to pursue a career is to see first hand what goes on at a business or workplace, and mentors can arrange job shadows to help student gain experience. Mentors also can help students apply to colleges or for scholarships by wading through the mountain of paperwork.

Mentors could ideally work with the same student for the student’s entire high school career. Rapport and trust develops and some partners form a friendship that lasts beyond the high school years. You can never have too many people in the student’s corner!

Pathway Partners encourages all of its students and mentors to volunteer. This year Pathway Partners volunteered to help Soup or Socks with the Annual Boy Scout Food Drive. The Boy Scouts collected non-perishable food from Marshfield residents. Pathway Partner students and mentors helped sort the food as it came in, checking for expiration dates/opened items and then dating it. Then we helped box and label donations so they may be distributed to residents in need.

Our statistics show being mentored by an adult is substantially helping students to make career plans. Of the 17 graduating seniors from the class of 2005 that participated in our program 88 percent are going to college or technical schools, as compared with 76.83 percent of their graduating class. Six percent were directly entering the work force, as compared to 17.7 percent of their graduating class.

We are surveying all past Pathway Partner graduates. Of the responding graduates, 100 percent say they would recommend this program to younger students. Many commented Pathway Partners not only helped them decide what career they wanted to pursue but helped them in many other ways. The program improved their ability to talk with adults, offered them another perspective other than their parents and gave them confidence in their career choice so that they were able to declare a major before entering college.

These success stories would not be possible without our wonderful mentors. If you would like to volunteer as a mentor please contact Amber Kiggens-Leifheit at 387-8464 ext. 384 or email leifheita@marshfield.k12.wi.us