Each Spring, for the past few years, Marshfield Area United Way has held an annual house raffle. The raffle gave the opportunity for one lucky person to win a new home. Though not enough tickets have been sold in past raffles to give away the house, Marshfield Area United Way has given out more than $115,000 in cash prizes including two cash prizes over $40,000 to two individuals.

This year, Marshfield Area United Way has added a new and exciting dimension to the Dare 2 Dream raffle. The raffle this year will give ticket holders a chance to win a 2013 Ford Mustang or a brand new home. The grand prize for the raffle is contingent on the number of raffle tickets sold.

The raffle structure is as follows…If one to 1199 tickets are sold, the grand prize winner will receive half of the prize money. Should 1200 to 3099 tickets be sold, the winner will be able to choose between a 2013 Ford Mustang or half of the prize money. If 3100-5000 tickets are sold, the winner will be able to choose from a model home from Wisconsin Homes or half of the prize money. The prize money is all proceeds from ticket sales less all taxes and expenses incurred by United Way in connection with the raffle. There will also be second place winner whom will receive a cash prize of $3000 and a third place winner that will receive $1000. The cost for tickets is one ticket for sixty dollars or two for one hundred dollars.

Tickets will go on sale beginning at the Dairyfest Mayor’s Breakfast Friday, June 1, 2012. Five-thousand tickets are available for purchase and will be on sale until they are sold out or until the day of the drawing, Wednesday, August 8, 2012, at 4:30 pm. Tickets will be available at several area locations, including: both Associated Bank locations in Marshfield and the Neillsville branch, Cattails Coffee in the Marshfield Clinic lobby, Central City Credit Union, Heritage Bank in Marshfield and Spencer, the MACCI office, Marshfield Area United Way, Forward Financial Bank locations in Marshfield, State Bank of Marshfield, Stratford State Bank, Time Federal Savings Bank, V&H Automotive and Wisconsin Homes. All ticket sales must be made in person. No phone or internet sales will be available.

For more information about the raffle and the prizes please visit www.marshfieldareauniteway.org or call 715-384-9992. Marshfield Area United Way would like to thank V&H Automotive and Wisconsin Homes for partnering with United Way for the raffle prizes. Proceeds from the raffle will benefit Marshfield Area United Way and help create opportunities for a better life for all in the Marshfield area.

Nystroms To Lead 2012 United Way Campaign

Marshfield Area United Way is committed to improving the quality of life in the Marshfield area by focusing on the areas of education, financial stability, and health and basic needs. Every year, Marshfield Area United Way raises funds to support lo­cal programs and organizations, as well as, internal initiatives that address our most vital human service needs. As part of this process, United Way recruits people who bring the passion, expertise and resources needed to get things done.

Marshfield Area United Way is pleased to announce Al and Amy Nystrom will be leading this year’s United Way Campaign to raise the funds to support these programs and initiatives. Al, Community President at M&I Bank, is a Marshfield native. He moved back to the area with wife, Amy, Chief Financial Officer at Dental Crafters, in 1997. They have two children, Danielle and Brad, whom they have raised here for most of their lives.

“We are honored and humbled. We have been blessed with a strong family, caring community, and a great opportunity to help others. We are driven to use these gifts in the service of others,” said Al Nystrom about being asked to lead this year’s campaign.

As Campaign Drive Chairs, Al and Amy hope to raise not only funds but also awareness in the community. “There are so many basic needs within our community. Whether it’s domestic violence, homelessness, hunger, depression, or loneliness, it’s happening next door. This is not a big city issue. These are your neighbors.” said Amy Nystrom.

Al also added that they want to help people understand that they are giving through United Way, rather than to United Way. “United Way is simply a conduit for helping a mom buy a backpack, or a father put food on the family table. Your gift is not about United Way; it’s about reaching out and lifting up your neighbors.”

Money raised during this fall’s campaign will fund and support 31 local programs and initiatives that work to help youth reach their full potential, help provide resources and assistance for people to work toward financial stability, and help build strong families by teaching skills and providing resources to maintain good health and independence.

Both Al and Amy are very involved in the community. Al has served and continues to serve on many Board of Directors and committees. He is currently Vice Chairman for the Marshfield Clinic Development Committee, serves as a board member for the Marshfield Noon Rotary Club and Marshfield Area Chamber Foundation. He is also a Chairman for the Business Improvement District Board and involved in organizing Rotary Winter Wonderland and Mike’s Run for Mental Health. Al also serves as the Finance Chair for Our Lady of Peace Church.

Amy, a past Marshfield Area United Way Board Member, is also a past member of the Marshfield Sunrise Rotary Club. She currently serves on the Marshfield Area Catholic Schools Education Commission Board as well as the Marshfield Area Catholic Schools Finance Committee. Amy is also an active volunteer with many local programs and organizations, including: Home Delivered Meals, Marshfield Clinic Farm Medicine Center, and Mike’s Run for Mental Health. Amy is also a former Heart Walk Chairman for the American Heart Association.

Join the Nystroms and United Way and be a part of the change. Together, united, people can inspire hope and create opportunities for a better life for all. You can give. You can advocate. You can volunteer. That’s what it means to LIVE UNITED. For more information about Marshfield Area United Way, its funded programs or how you can get involved, please call 715-384-9992 or visit www.marshfieldareaunitedway.org.

Improve Quality of Life by Volunteering

Part of a course requirement for a Business Management class I took in college was to volunteer with a local non-profit organization. At the time, I thought my professor was asking for way too much. My time was precious. I was already trying to balance a schedule filled with classes, study groups and work…now she was asking me to give more of MY time, and for what?

I reluctantly chose to volunteer at a local food pantry. The work I did there was quite simple but the reward ended up being immeasurable. For a couple of hours every Tuesday and Thursday evening, I assisted individuals who came to the pantry in need of food. To see the impact this had on them overwhelmed me. The sincere feelings of gratitude that poured out from them filled me with a sense of pride like I had never felt before.

People came to the pantry in need of food and I helped fulfill their need. I came to the pantry in need of a reality check and I was certainly given one. I was so caught up in myself I was unaware of life happening around me.

To this day, that class was one of the most influential, memorable experiences I have had in my life. My volunteer time at the food pantry taught me so much, but mostly it taught me about the kind of person I wanted to be and what really matters in life. I learned that giving a little can give you so much more in return. 

If you have never volunteered or have not volunteered for some time, I encourage you to consider giving some of your time and talent to any our local programs and organizations. You can commit to an hour, an afternoon, a Saturday, or even commit to an ongoing opportunity. 

Please visit our website at www.marshfieldareaunitedway.org and click on Volunteer to see the many opportunities listed on the Marshfield Volunteer Center.  

Get Connected. Get Answers. Dial 2-1-1.

United Way’s 2-1-1 is a valuable community program that has helped thousands of callers find the resources or referrals they needed in just one phone call.  

United Way’s 2-1-1 is a three digit number you can dial on your phone or cell phone and receive free and confidential information and referral to your community questions.  It is available 24/7.  Commonly asked questions range from “I cannot pay my utility bill – who can help?” to “I need help caring for my loved one with dementia.”

Last year, United Way’s 2-1-1 received 6,817 calls for information and referral and the top needs for 2011 were:  electric service payment assistance, rent payment assistance, information about food pantries, low income/subsidized private rental housing and heating fuel payment assistance.

You can participate in United Way’s 2-1-1 several different ways. 

·       If you have a family member or friend who is having a difficult time, you can advocate for them and dial 2-1-1 to see what resources are available.

·       If you are part of a non-profit organization, religious entity or government agency who provides health or human service programs to the public, contact 2-1-1 to be added to our database.

·       You can call and request free 2-1-1 materials (posters, fact cards, magnets, etc.) and put them on display where you work or at your church. 

·       You can sign up for the “Get Connected Get Answers” Blog at www.unitedways211.blogspot.com to stay informed about local events, support groups, conferences, classes and updates in your community.

·       You can visit our website at www.getconnected211.org and download helpful guides such as the “Help for Hard Times Guides.

·       You can also volunteer for United Way’s 2-1-1, and help with data entry and answering phone calls.

In addition to connecting callers to local resources, United Way’s 2-1-1 also tracks caller needs and uses that information to analyze trends, such as identifying gaps in services.  This information can be used to help make program funding decisions.

For more information, contact United Way’s 2-1-1 by dialing the three digit number 2-1-1 or by calling 715-423-0211.

United Way Reaches Goal

Marshfield Area United Way announced that its 2011 Campaign goal of $910,000 has been reached. The 2011 campaign total is $914,125 which is $34,125 more than what was raised last year. Marshfield Area United Way would to thank all those who generously contributed and also those who gave their time to this year’s campaign.

With the recession still affecting the economy, United Way credits its many individual, corporate, employee, and retired givers in helping surpass the $910,000.  This is the first time since 2007 that United Way announced a public goal for its annual fundraising campaign and it was aggressively set $30,000 above the amount raised last year.

“Tammy and I are both goal oriented people.  We felt very strongly that United Way needed to once again make public the goal for our community to reach.  Our message throughout the campaign was firm and passionate that the needs of this area were more desperate than they have ever been” said Campaign Drive Chair, Dave Meissner, of the public goal.

Reaching goal this year was made possible because this community has such a great capacity to care for one another. “There are many businesses and individuals that stepped up to assure the goal was attainable.  They are too numerous to mention by name but I do feel the need to thank the Marshfield Clinic.  It was their leadership and vision that set the pace for this campaign early with $25,000 Match Challenge.  Special thanks to Dr. Tim Boyle, Al Chaney and Dr. Karl Ulrich for recognizing the difficulties faced by so many individuals in our community,” said Meissner. The Clinic proposed a challenge this past October, to match any new and increased donations up to $25,000. The community’s response was remarkable.

The generosity of donors makes it possible for United Way to help meet the rising demand for basic services, such as, food and shelter, in the community.  The funds from this year’s campaign will also go to support local youth initiative programs that help children reach their full potential as well as fund programs that help people whom are vulnerable gain financial stability. Last year, these programs helped over 11,000 individuals in the community.

Campaign Drive Chair Tammy Meissner said in summary of this year’s campaign, “It has been an honor and privilege to represent United Way this year.  We have gained an even deeper appreciation for the folks who day in and day out, work to adapt to increased needs of struggling families and individuals. United Way represents a safety net for our community and its most vulnerable population.  Everyone faces challenges in life but what's important to realize is that there are those to catch you when you fall.  Thanks to the area’s generosity and commitment to their community, neighbors, and co-workers, United Way continues to be there.”

Backpack collection begins today

You can help bring smiles to hundreds of children and youth from the Marshfield area by collecting supplies. Monetary donations welcome; checks payable to Marshfield Area United Way.

Collect supplies August 1 -12.  Supplies can be taken to the following drop off locations: Associated Bank-Chestnut, Century 21 Realty, Heritage Bank-Marshfield, M&I Bank, MACCI, Target or United Way, 156 South Central Avenue, Marshfield.

If you receive free or reduced lunch or are experiencing a financial hardship call 715-384-9992 to register to receive supplies.  Registered families will receive a post card at the end of August when backpacks are available for pick up.

Backpacks are distributed to students in grades Kindergarten to eighth grade from Auburndale, Marshfield, Pittsville, Spencer and Stratford.

This city-wide drive is coordinated by the Marshfield Area United Way and the Marshfield Clinic’s Center for Community Outreach.

For more information call 715-384-9992 or visit www.marshfieldareaunitedway.org.

Suggested supplies:

1 Plain Backpack
1 Pack Crayons (24)
12” Ruler (Centimeters/Inches)
1 Pack Colored Pencils
1 Large Box Kleenex
4 Pocket Folders
5 Glue Sticks
2 Red Pen/Pencils
1 Highlighter (Yellow)
1 Bottle of Glue
1 Pack Magic Markers (Washable)
2 Packs Loose-Leaf Paper (White/Wide-Ruled)
4 Wide Rule Spiral Notebooks
10-12 No. 2 Pencils (No Eversharps)
1 Fiskars Scissors
2 Large Erasers
1 Crayon Box or Zippered Fabric Pencil Pouch
1 Box Ziploc Bags (Quart or Gallon)
1 Pack Clorox Wipes
1 Protractor

 NO TRAPPER KEEPERS

Optional: One-Inch 3-Ring Binder or 1 Pack Wet Wipes

 

Volunteers Needed - Set up help needed to repair storm damage - Farm Technology Days

Last week's wind storm wiped out the work finished by volunteers for Farm Technology Days set up.

Volunteers are needed this week to help with picking up posts and ropes from tents that were downed from winds, pulling out stakes, spreading shavings, mowing other miscellaneous tasks as needed to help repair the site.

For more information or to volunteer call 715-384-5494.

The Farm Technology grounds main headquarters is off Galvin, East on Birch.  Come to the trailers parked on site.

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.

Register your organization to recruit volunteers

Let’s face it.  Projects and events take a lot of work.  Often it’s more manpower than your organization has—especially when you are small.  But to make a big splash, you can’t just limit your imagination to the number of employees or core members.

If you are a community organization, task force, service organization or nonprofit: you can register on the Volunteer Web site to post events or office tasks to help lighten the load.

First you have to register and create a profile.  This tells prospective volunteers a little bit more about you such as who you serve, your mission and your contact information.  Once our staff approves your profile you’re ready to recruit!

Think big … and small.  Volunteers can help with simple, but time intensive administrative work like labeling projects.  You can post to find help for daily on the ground operations like program leaders.  Or get a team to carry out your organization’s grand scale events that require many heads and hands to make it spectacular.

Whatever your need … there’s probably someone in the community perfect for it, and just waiting to help.

View current organizations and opportunities here.  Questions? Call 715-384-9992 or email us.

Stay connected: Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

House Raffle ends June 4

You don’t have to go to Vegas to win a fantastic grand prize.  You can enter to win a new house or $50,000 in the United Way Dare to Dream House Raffle.  But if you don't buy a ticket soon, it will be too late.

The winners will be selected next Saturday, June 4 at 3:30 p.m. during Dairyfest activities. 

Click here to find a ticket location near you or purchase your tickets at the United Way office, 156 South Central Avenue, Marshfield.

Your Last Chance for tickets are: June 3 – Mayor’s Dairy Breakfast, June 4 – Dairyfest parade route-Hiller’s Parking Lot and at the Fairgrounds-Expo Building until 3:30 p.m.

Tickets are $50 or three for $100.   

Only 5,000 tickets are printed--so your odds of winning a prize that could change your life is better than any state lottery or slot machine!

Dare to Dream ... Enter to Win ... LIVE UNITED

For more information visit http://www.marshfieldareaunitedway.org/dream.html or call 715-384-9992.

Stay connected: Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Books Are Fun Book Fair

A "Books are Fun" book and gift fair will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, May 16 and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 17 in the main lobby of Ministry Saint Joseph's Hospital.

Choose from a wide variety of books, games and gifts for all ages at prices up to 70 percent off. All proceeds benefit the Marshfield Area United Way.

For more information visit http://www.marshfieldareaunitedway.org/NALC.html or call 715-384-9992

Stay connected: Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Make your grocery list to Stamp Out Hunger

The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is coming up this Saturday.  Add these foods to your grocery list or rummage through your pantry for the following items (don't forget to check expiration dates! If it's expired, toss it).

Soup Or Socks food pantry is in need of the following items:

Rice
Baking Mix (Jiffy/Bisquick)
Fruit Cocktail
Mixed Vegetables
Canned or Bottled Juice
Dried Soup
Mayonnaise
Canned potatoes
Broth
Ramen Noodles

Brown Paper Bags

The following items we have in generous supply and are not needed at this time.
Corn, Green Beans, and Peas
Pork and Beans
Baked Beans
Variety Soup
Chicken Noodle Soup
Canned Pineapple and Oranges 

Need volunteer hours or want to help out?  We're looking for volunteers for Saturday.  Sort, load and unload food at the Marshfield Post Office or Soup Or Socks from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Volunteer by emailing unitedway@tznet.com or call 715-384-9992.

For more information visit http://www.marshfieldareaunitedway.org/NALC.html or call 715-384-9992

Stay connected: Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Volunteers Needed - Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

Be a part of the largest food drive in the nation, Saturday May 14.  Join Marshfield Area United Way, National Association of Letter Carriers and the Marshfield Post Office for the 17th annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive.
 
Volunteers are needed from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to sort food and load trucks at the Marshfield Post Office.  Any amount of time is needed: service can vary from 30 minutes to one or more hours.
 
To volunteer call United Way at 384-9992 or e-mail.
 
On Saturday, May 14, place a bag of nonperishable food by your mailbox. Your letter carrier will pick it for distribution to local food pantries, St. Vincent DePaul and Soup Or Socks.
 
Don't forget to check those expiration dates before you donate!

For more information visit http://www.marshfieldareaunitedway.org/NALC.html or call 715-384-9992

Stay connected: Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Buy your tickets to win a new house or $50,000

You don’t have to go to Vegas to win a fantastic grand prize.  Enter to win a new house or $50,000 in the Marshfield Area United Way Dare to Dream House Raffle.

 

Tickets are $50 or three for $100. Only one month to buy tickets, and only 5,000 are available.

Purchase your tickets at the United Way office, 156 South Central Avenue, Marshfield.

Tickets are also available at:

    Associated Bank locations: Chestnut, Festival Foods, Neillsville, Pittsville
    Cattails Coffee locations: Marshfield Clinic lobby, North Central Avenue
    Central City Credit Union – Marshfield
    Forward Financial Bank locations: North Central Avenue, Sixth Street
    Heritage Bank locations: Marshfield, Spencer; MACCI
    M&I Bank locations: North Central Avenue, South Central Avenue
    State Bank of Marshfield
    Stratford State Bank
    Wisconsin Homes

Take a walking tour of the house and buy tickets at the Open Houses: the first three Saturdays in May, starting May 7 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wisconsin Homes Model Village, 425 West McMillian Ave, Marshfield. 

For more information visit www.marshfieldareaunitedway.org or call 384-9992.

Bowl for Kids Sake - March 20

Lace up your bowling shoes to help a local program!

Bowl For Kids Sake
9-PIN TAP BOWLING FUNDRAISER
Sunday, March 20th, 2011
Rose Bowl Lanes Marshfield

Team Entry Fee: $50 (Includes Shoes)
Registration: 11:30 A.M.
Bowling: Noon - 3 P.M.
To Register Your Team Or Sponsor A Lane, Contact
Big Brothers Big Sisters At 715.387.6198
Rose Bowl Lanes At 715.387.1114
Those involved with Big
Brothers Big Sisters
impact lives.

●Youth are impacted through
one-to-one mentoring relationships.
●Volunteers are impacted by knowing
they mentored a child.
●Donors are impacted by knowing they
are making a sound investment with a
proven return.

A United Way Partner Program