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.

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

We Can't Do Everything, But We Can All Do Something

One of the things I like best about the holiday season is the spirit of giving that is embraced by all but   Most of us allow the sights and sounds of the holidays to soften us and make us a little kinder and a little more giving during this time of year.  As I was writing this piece, a family delivered boxes of presents for a family they “adopted”.  Their joy was infectious and the obvious care that they felt for their anonymous adopted family was touching.

the grinchiest of us.

As the world around us gets crazier and scarier, I often feel helpless and wonder what I can do that will make a difference or feel significant?  Let’s face it - terrorism, violence, poverty, inequality ….and the many other world problems are BIG issues, and we are just one.  And then, in came this family with care and concern for a family that they will never meet, and it was the reminder that I needed.  Do what you can, where you can, when you can, with what you have.  We can’t do everything, but we all can do something.  I recently heard about a giving box that was part of a family’s holiday traditions.  All members of the family suggested things that could be done that would help someone else.  Each item was written on a slip of paper and put into a small box.  At the beginning of the month a slip or more of paper was drawn and as a family the item on the paper was completed during the month.  I love this idea.  It keeps the holiday spirit of giving all year round.

For this holiday season and 2016, I am wishing for you the season of giving not gifting, which captures the true spirit of the holidays.

Paula Jero

Executive Director

The Holidays Are A Time For Reflection, Gratitude

It had been a long day.  With a small army of volunteers we had outfitted over 500 eager children for the start of the school year with backpacks and school supplies.  As the last of the kids were being served, my thoughts turned to the task of clean up that was ahead of us.  Someone tapped me on the shoulder and I expected it to be one of my volunteers with a question, instead it was a teenage boy.  He said to me, “I was here earlier today with my mom and younger brother and I got a backpack and supplies that I will need for the year.  When I was leaving I asked what time you would be done.  I rode my bike here in hopes that you would let me help clean up, to try to re-pay for what you have given me today.”  I have to admit a lump formed in my throat.  It was a wonderful reminder of the good that lies within each of us, and being grateful for what we have and what we have been given.

With the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays upon us, it is often a time we take the opportunity to reflect upon all the things in our lives we are grateful for…family, friends, and health to name a few. And for some, things like food, shelter and clothing are also at the top of list.

As you think about everything you are thankful for this year, know that there are many others thankful for things, as simple as school supplies, they have received because of your generous gift to United Way. Your donation means more resources for our community's most vulnerable populations. It means food on the table for families facing hunger, it means a roof over the head of people facing homelessness, it means support for victims of domestic abuse, it means a healthier, stronger community and so much more.

Paula Jero, Executive Director
Marshfield Area United Way

Decisions Made Today Can Impact Tomorrow

by Paula Jero, Executive Director

     Decisions.  Hard ones, easy ones, routine ones and life altering ones, we all are making decisions all day every day.  Last February, staff member Ashley Winch and I had just finished up a day of our state conference and we were heading across the capitol square to meet up with family members to grab a bite to eat.  It was bitterly cold out, about 5 degrees with a nasty wind chill.  We had considered driving, but figured with parking in downtown Madison, we would end up walking about the same number of blocks.  So instead we bundled up and stepped out the side door of the hotel.  Lying on the sidewalk, was a man with no coat on and near him were a coat and a backpack.   Looking half way down the block there were people standing there and staring, but no one was stepping forward to help.  Ashley and I looked each other, and she said what do we do?  Decision time.  She ran back into the hotel for help and to call 911, while I bent down to see if the man was responsive.  I was joined by another conference attendee and our friend John and we quickly figured out that the man had a seizure.  We covered him up with his coat and began the long wait as we listened to the wail of the ambulance siren whine its way through the streets.
     It is six months later as I write this, but I often think of all the decisions that led us to that point in time.  In thinking about it, a lot of the decisions were easy: where to eat, walk or drive, what time to meet, what door to exit, are all pretty straight forward decisions.  And then came the big one.  Help or keep walking and pass him by.
     We are soon to be embarking on the United Way campaign for this year, and at first glance whether to give or not seems like a pretty straight forward decision.  Many people feel like it’s no big deal if they don’t give this year, but in fact it is a big decision.  Donations provide local services.  Less donations equal less services.  It means less food, housing, mentoring, respite care, counseling, and safety.  These things are life altering for those receiving the service.  When you are faced with the
opportunity to give to United Way this year please don’t pass us by, your community needs you.

2015 United Way Campaign Drive Chairs Announced

Dan and Mary Beth Knoeck

Marshfield Area United Way has named Dan and Mary Beth Knoeck Campaign Drive Chairs for the upcoming fall campaign. When United Way approached the Knoecks about lending their time and talents to support the effort, their first reaction was, “Why us?” But, It didn’t take long for either of them to realize that leading the annual campaign had little to do with them, and everything to do with supporting United Way’s work and the community that they love.  So they simply couldn’t say no.

Dan and Mary Beth have been longtime supporters of United Way and they are both passionate about being able to make a difference and give back to the community. “Being familiar with the wide range of community support that United Way provides and seeing the difference your time can make, it just makes you feel good,” said Mary Beth.

After living in the Madison area for several years, Dan and Mary Beth moved back to Marshfield in 1998. Dan, a Marshfield native, has been the Director of Public Works for the city of Marshfield for the past seventeen years. He is a member of Sunrise Rotary, member of the Rotary Winter Wonderland Board and is currently serving as its Chairman. Mary Beth is the Adult/BAAS Student Enrollment Coordinator and PEC Advisor at UW-Marshfield/Wood County. She serves on the Healthy Lifestyles Community Committee and is involved with School to Career and the Nutrition On Weekend program. Both Dan and Mary Beth are members of Our Lady of Peace Church and are actively involved as parent volunteers at Columbus Catholic Schools.

This fall, the Knoecks hope to raise awareness about issues people in the community are facing daily, “For most people, life is a delicate balance and it may not take much to throw someone you know out of balance – a job loss, a prolonged illness, a car accident, or other unforeseen incident.”  United Way and its partner agencies are critical resources in helping individuals get back on their feet. “We think of homelessness as a big city problem, but there are people struggling for basic shelter right here in our community, “said Dan Knoeck.

Please join the Knoecks this fall and invest in your community, support Marshfield Area United Way. Funds raised during the Campaign will support community programs that work to address issues such as hunger, homelessness, domestic violence, poverty and more. For more information about the impact of your donation, please visit marshfieldareaunitedway.org.