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

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.

Hygiene Drive Feb 22nd - March 15!

88.5 The Family's "Help for the Homeless" hygiene drive will be collecting new personal care and cleaning products for area crisis agencies, including Soup Or Socks, The Hannah Center, Mary's Place, and St. Vincent de Paul. The goal of Help for the Homeless is to provide a year's worth of hygiene supplies to each agency to help stretch the agencies' limited financial resources. ALL Donations will remain here in Marshfield!
 
 

Please donate generously. Donations can be dropped off at any of the following public locations: Festival Foods, Shopko, Pick 'N Save or Walgreens from Feb. 22 - March 15. We are also accepting donations here in our office.

List of Items Needed

 

Cleaning Supplies:
Laundry Soap Dish Soap
Garbage Bags Floor Cleaner
Bleach Cleansers
Sponges Disinfectant Cleaner
Toilet Bowl Cleaner Dryer Sheets
Dishwashing Gloves

 

Paper Products:
Toilet Tissue Facial Tissue
Paper Towels Feminine Care
Pads Tampons

 

Baby Care:
Diapers Wipes
Baby Bottles Sip Cups
Baby Lotion Baby Shampoo
Rash Ointment

 

Hair Care:
Shampoo Conditioner
Hair Brushes Combs
Clips & Elastics Styling Products - for all types of races & ethnicity

 

Personal Care:
Soft Soap Bar Soap
Deodorant Razors
Shaving Cream Nail Clippers
Cotton Balls Q-tips Moisturizer/Lotions
Contact Solution Lip Balm

 

First Aid:
Children’s Pain Meds Pedialyte
Band Aids Rubbing Alcohol
Hydrogen Peroxide Anti-Diarrheal Meds
Antacids Antibiotic Ointment
Cold Meds Liquid Benadryl
Sun Screen Head Lice Treatment

 

Dental Care:
SOFT Toothbrushes Toothpaste
Dental Floss Denture Care
NO mouthwash please (contains alcohol)

Have you given to this year's Marshfield Area United Way Campaign? No?...

In today's world, a dollar doesn’t buy much anymore, but when your dollar is going to Marshfield Area United Way it is making a difference.

Here is what giving just $1 a week can buy at United Way. Your donation of $1 per week…

• Is enough to provide a weekly supplemental (weekend) food pack to one child that is facing food insecurity in his/her home. 
• Will provide supportive services to one family with a disabled child through the Child Disability Resource Center. 
•  Will allow a child participate in a sport/activity that promotes health and well-being through a Right To Play For All Scholarship. 
•  Supports early childhood literacy by providing a book to a child during his/her well-child visit. 
•  Provides one day of food for a family of four through Soup Or Socks food pantry. 
•  Gives 2 area youth the opportunity to participate in Boys Scouts or Girl Scouts.

These are just a few of the ways your generosity is making an impact in the lives of thousands of individuals in our area. To learn more about United Way’s work and the work of its funded partners please visit, www.marshfieldareaunitedway.org and click on “Our Work.”

Please be generous and give today. Any donation, no matter it size, is helping make a difference right here in the Marshfield community. You can give through your workplace campaign, online at www.marshfieldareaunitedway.org, or by mailing your donation to PO Box 771, Marshfield, WI, 54449.

Marshfield Area United Way’s service area includes the city of Marshfield and these surrounding communities: Arpin, Auburndale, Chili, Granton, Greenwood, Loyal, Neillsville, Pittsville, Spencer and Stratford.

Join Us For Campaign Kick-off September 8th

What:  2014 United Way Campaign Kick-off
When:  Monday, September 8, 2014, @ 5:00 p.m.
Where:  RiverEdge
             10191 County Highway B
             Marshfield, WI 54449
Cost:  Suggested $5 donation

Please join us Monday, September 8, 2014, at RiverEdge to help us kick-off our annual fall campaign. A cash bar and food sampling will begin at 5:00 pm. Dinner will begin at 5:20 pm with a program to follow. 2014 United Way Campaign Drive Chairs, Beth & Brian Kief will lead the program and there will be a guest speaker to talk about her experience on Wisconsin’s FoodShare program. The kick-off will also serve as an
introduction to a community-wide invitation to take the SNAP Challenge this October.

On Any Given Day at United Way

Last week we had our intern keep count of all of the individuals and phone calls that we received in a single day at United Way.  The results surprised me.  I know our office is a busy place, but even I underestimated how many people we come into contact with on a single day.  So what does a typical day look like at United Way?  We had 53 individuals visit our office and 17 phone calls.  

The visits included 35% of the individuals coming to our office seeking assistance with securing employment either by using the Job Center or for an interview that a local employer was conducting.  An additional 35% of the individuals came to our office for United Way programs, including Backpack and School Supplies, Nutrition on Weekends and the Keep Kids Warm program.  The remaining 30% of the individuals were seeking services such assistance with food or rent assistance from North Central Community Action, or came to our office for their W-2 case management appointments. 

When I began with United Way we had probably five people a month walk into office.  There are days when I have to admit the five people a month would be nice, but it doesn’t fulfill our mission. Everyone deserves opportunities to achieve a quality education that leads to a stable job, family-sustaining income through all of life’s stages, good health and a safe home. That's why Marshfield Area United Way focuses on the building blocks of a good life: education, income and health. 

On any given day in our office, you can see the work of United Way donor dollars and our mission at work. Whether it’s supporting school readiness through the backpack & school supply drive, providing income supports through North Central Community Action Program, increasing the health or well-being of child through the Nutrition on Weekends program. All of these things (education, income, and health) are intertwined and all are improving the overall quality of life in the Marshfield area. It takes an entire community to make a difference. Last year, because of you and United Way, more than 15,000 individuals in and around the Marshfield area received support from United Way programs and initiatives. Your generosity is making a difference in our community.

Paula Jero, Executive Director
Marshfield Area United Way