What started out as the round barn, holiday scene, little red wagon and yellow brick road transformed into a gold mine of food donations. This year Figi’s, Gifts in Good Taste added a twist to its annual food drive.  Each department was challenged to create a Figi’s-themed sculpture with the food collected.

The Human Resources department claimed the trophy and bragging rights with its sculpture of the Marshfield Round Barn, constructed with brown gravy packets, tomato soup, cream mushroom and cream of chicken soup.

Eleven departments participated to collect approximately 1,500 items, eclipsing prior donations.  Food was distributed to food pantries in Pittsville and Stratford and Saint Vincent DePaul in Marshfield.  Food also was distributed to United Way Partner Programs: Big Brothers Big Sisters, Marshfield Area Respite Care Center (MARCC), Mary’s Place and Soup Or Socks food pantry.

“This will help so much—what a gold mine. Since we provide lunch for our participants, we typically use three cans of vegetables a day,” said Marilyn Seidl-Kramer, MARCC program director.

Record food donations are only the surface of benefits this drive provided. Activities like this increase morale and promote team building, said Pamela Rosterman, Figi’s, Gifts in Good Taste Vice President of Human Resources & Facilities Administration.

“We believe that we can combine team building with community action for a winning culture.  We have generous associates who love to have fun while giving.  It is a formula that makes Figi’s a fun place to work and gives us all that warm feeling you get when you know you gave something for the greater good of our community,” Rosterman said.

This caring culture is the spirit of United Way’s goal to create opportunities for a better life for everyone. United Way works to provide the building blocks to a good life by giving youth a good start, helping families become financially stable and supporting our most vulnerable populations so they can live safe and independently.

For more information about United Way, visit www.marshfieldareaunitedway.org or call 715-384-9992.  If you need help, dial 2-1-1.

Stay connected online: Facebook and 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.

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.

Day of Action this Saturday!

Get out of the house and enjoy a day packed with activities, food and music this Saturday, August 22.

Join us for Day of Action -- rain or shine at Bakerville Sports Bar & Grill (10631 County Road B).

Free Family Activities -- Noon to 2 p.m.
Learn hands on, inexpensive play ideas that you can do at home.

Plus, create a child identification kit to be prepared for emergencies.


Also at noon, Co-Ed Blind Man Volleyball Tournament

Team Entry Fee $60 -- Every player will receive a Free LIVE UNITED Shirt.
Tournament Winner will receive a traveling trophy. Cash prizes also available.

Sign up: Call 676-3768 or 384-9992. Registration closes Saturday at the start of the tournament.

Other activities include: Wii Tournament, Dunk Tank, Door Prizes, Tug of War and more.

Corn and Pig Roast starts at 4 p.m.

Multi-Artist Tribute Band Slab closes the event with a concert starting at 9 p.m.

Volunteers are still needed. If you're interested in volunteering for any amount of time during the day, please call 384-9992.

Thank you to Event Sponsor Bakerville Sports Bar & Grill.

Thank you to these businesses and individuals who have made donations or are volunteering: Michael and Kate Adamson, All American Aerials, Dress 4 Less, Green Bay Packers, Family Resource Center, Farmer’s Insurance Agency: Kevin R. Krisan, Fashion Bug, Paula Jero, Negro Lobo Catering, Sternweis & Sons, Chris and Jolene Sternweis, Tim Sternweis, Shoppes at Wood Ridge and Target.

Play for Action in United Way's Volleyball Tournament

Get at least five of your friends together and sign up for the Play for Action Co-Ed Blind Man Volleyball Tournament! Registration for teams is $60, each player will receive a free LIVE UNITED T-Shirt.

The tournament will take place at United Way’s Day of Action -- Rain or Shine on August 22, starting at noon at Bakerville Sports Bar & Grill (Southwest of Marshfield – 10631 County Road B).

Register by calling 384-9992, 676-3768 or emailing unitedway.sarah@tznet.com.

Not into volleyball but want to get your family & friends out of the house for something fun? The other activities at Day of Action are a perfect solution.

There will be free family activities from noon to 2 p.m. Learn inexpensive and fun activities you can do at home with your children, become prepared for emergencies by creating a child identification kit and more!

Challenge yourself with the tug of war, Wii tournament, dunk tank and more.

Food will be available throughout the day and the corn and pig roast begins at 4 p.m.

End the evening with Slab, Wisconsin's own multi-artist tribute Rock 'N Roll band.

All proceeds benefit Marshfield Area United Way, creating opportunities for a good life for everyone and advancing the common good in the Marshfield area. Click here for more information about Day of Action.

Help us spread the word! Let your friends know you're attending on Facebook: United Way's Day of Action

Congratulations Vicky Peterson of Marshfield, Winner of the Dare to Dream Raffle

With ticket number 3602 Vicky won the cash prize $42,678.

Thank you to everyone who bought a ticket, there were 1,796 tickets sold, a great start for our first annual raffle.

Special thanks to Wisconsin Homes for partnering with United Way to offer this unique opportunity and fundraising event. Thank you also to all the ticket locations, including Wisconsin Homes dealers across Wisconsin and Iowa. We appreciate your support.

United Way and Wisconsin Homes plan to hold our Dare to Dream Raffle again next year. Look for more details here as they become available.

Honest Abe promises a sleeper sofa in every living room

For the second year ghouls, goblins and characters of all kind have taken over Marshfield Furniture.

In the Halloween spirit employees of Marshfield Furniture are improving lives … through a costume contest coupled with their United Way campaign … showing that you can LIVE UNITED, even when you’re undead.

Enjoy the slideshow below with the 2008 Costumes


If you'd like to see costumes from 2007, click here.

Figi's, Inc. Chili Championship

Figi's, Inc. held another successful and creative fundraiser this fall. Two weeks of nearly 30 entries of different kinds of chili. From tradional chilies like Mom makes to the fantastic and tasty white chicken chili or margarita chili.

It all came together when the eight finalists cooked their best pot of chili and put together dazzling displays for judging.

Each team was judged on presentation, originiality and taste. It was a hard task for judges WSAW News Channel 7's Jeff Talen, WDLB/WOSQ Bob Meyer, UW-Marshfield/Wood County's and United Way Drive Co-Chair Andy Keogh and Mayor Chris Meyer.

While all presentations leap above and beyond the normal bowl, spoon and fixings--orginality and taste proved to help the judges make the final decision.

The ulimate Chili Champion was crowned and the trophy claimed by Monica Morzinski from Purchasing and her team: Cooks United to Make a Difference with the White Christmas Chicken Chili.

A big thank you to all the chefs and Figi's employees who tasted at each level of judging and the panel of celebrity judges for the Cook out Championship. It was another fun and exciting event--thank you for your hard work, creative spirits and generosity to help our community.

ODC pies another great campaign

Opportunity Development Centers always runs fun, informative campaigns. They have a small staff, but big hearts and even bigger imaginations. They utilize special events that can involve their clients, so everyone can be involved.

Far eclipsing their goal of $2,000 ... this was another successful year for ODC!

On October 30, ODC held a Chili Feed and encouraged employees to dress up for Halloween. Left: Lynn helps serve chili, dressed up as Sarah Palin for Halloween.

One special event was Pie in the Face. People could vote for who should receive pies. The top five votes won ... or lost, depending who talk to. Lucky for everyone, this November day was atypical of Wisconsin weather. 70 degrees makes even taking a pie in the face a little more pleasant. Enjoy the photo slideshow below, click on an image for a larger size.

A kick off filled with pirates

Saint Joseph's Hospital kicked off their annual campaign with the flare and excitement of ... pirates.

Turns out there are high seas in the Marshfield area and the Marsh Coast Guard spotted some trouble. Gold deblooms, eye patches and "Arrrrs" all around, it was time to LIVE UNITED with a campaign focusing on A Treasure Chest of Caring.

Hospital administrators donned their best pirate ware and expressed to the gathered captains (internal United Way volunteers) that our true treasure isn't gold ... it's our family, friends and neighbors. With the tough economy everyone needs pitch in and help each other to advance the common good.

Wii Tournament brings out competitive spirit

There's nothing like a good game of golf or bowling to get those competitive juices flowing. This year, Marshfield Savings Bank took these tried and true outings and held them in their office. However, there were no pins, lanes, clubs or greens all the fun unfolded in a Wii Tournament held by MSB.

Wii Systems were set up on both ends of a conference room. Golf and bowling was projected up on the wall for the participants to compete. The highest scores of each bracket pairing advanced to the next level until two champions were crowned.

Another great season of Pacesetter events

Every year caring businesses and organizations from across the area put their thinking caps on to have fun, create enthusiasm and raise money for the Marshfield area. And 2008 was no exception.



Do you want your company's events for United Way featured here? Send pictures and event description to unitedway.stacey@tznet.com or call the office 384-9992, so we can show our support (and bring our camera!).

September is United Way month at Wickersham Jewelry

Shop Wickersham Jewelry this September for your special occasions or anniversaries. Sparkle and shine while you LIVE UNITED with this exciting opportunity. A portion of sales from the special United Way case will be donated to Marshfield Area United Way to help your friends, families and neighbors in need.

Visit the Marshfield location at Founder’s Square: 112 North Central Avenue in September to take advantage of this community-minded shopping opportunity!

For more information about this event, call Wickersham Jewelry at 384-4102.

Photo Above Left: Marshfield Wickersham Jewelry staff and United Way Director Paula Jero LIVE UNITED with a special promotion to raise money for area residents in need.