January 06, 2021

Happy New Year 2021

Main image2020 - It certainly was a year for the history books! We discovered a new vocabulary of words and phrases that now define 2020 in our hearts and minds. It started with COVID-19 and led to six feet apart, mask wearing and being socially distanced to flatten the curve. We had a lockdown, we learned about community spread, essential businesses, workers and heroes. We all participated in Zoom, GoToMeeting and Teams meetings. Many people worked from home, in some cases there was quarantining required with contact tracing and that we might be asymptomatic. Remote learning became part of school. We participated in birthday and celebration parades and also discovered that it was challenging to buy hand sanitizer and toilet paper. We needed to be innovative and brave in the face of an unprecedented time in our lives and history. We learned the name George Floyd.
 
2021 begins a new year with hope for the future including a vaccine for those who want it. We will build on the lessons learned from 2020, emphasizing equity for all people and care for one another, all the while remembering that we are all in this together. #LIVEUNITED
 
Jeff Sargent, Executive Director and CEO
 

Please Join Us

Please join us for the Virtual Annual Meeting on January 28, 2021 at 4:30 p.m.
 
This year's Recognition Lunch will be virtual. For the very first time, United Way of Marathon County will be celebrating our award recipients for many days instead of one afternoon. We would like to thank our volunteers, donors, partners and advocates for your support. During this year of uncertainty, YOU have encouraged us by your generosity. Businesses, corporations, individual donors and volunteers have all stepped up to support United Way of Marathon County as we rebuild this resilient community, neighbor helping neighbor. 
 
The meeting will include:
  • Welcome
  • Update from United Way of Marathon County
  • Approval of Minutes - January 2020
  • Election of Board Members
  • Announcement of Recognition Award Video Schedule
 

Holiday Cheer and Kindness

Main imageOn Christmas Eve, Women United Members organized a sweet treat for local healthcare workers who worked the overnight shift on Christmas Eve/Christmas morning. 200 treats were purchased from a local family owned business, PK Creations LLC and delivered to both Marshfield Clinic - Weston and Aspirus Wausau Hospital to celebrate the holiday spirit and show appreciation for both healthcare systems.
 
Women United also distributed 30 holiday gift bags filled with goodies to deserving moms for the 12th annual Christmas for Mommies! While this event typically takes place in person with 30 moms, children of the participants and a couple dozen volunteers, this year looked different in that bags were given to Catholic Charities (Project Step Up) and The Women's Community to appropriately distribute.  
 
United Way staff and volunteers organized care packages for the homebound and delivered Christmas gifts for elderly community members. "Be a Santa to a Senior" distributed gift bags to more than 20 adults that are isolated and alone.  Items included coffee, crossword puzzles, socks, kitchen towels, candy, ornaments and hand written notes. 
 
Local businesses and schools such as: St. John Lutheran School, Greenheck, Fairfield Inn & Suites and Intercity Bank, have generously put snack packs together, organized food drives, collected baby items and mittens and assembled flash card kits during the holidays for United Way partner agencies. 
 

Get to Know Our Staff

spotlight.jpgUnited Way of Marathon County has dedicated staff committed to this community. 
 
Meet Susan Krolow, Director of United Way's Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and has been with United Way since 2018. She attended the University of MN - Twin Cities and has spent 25 years of her professional career dedicated to early childhood.  Susan takes pride in being able to make a positive difference in the community both professionally and personally.  Volunteer work is very important to her and she enjoys meeting like-minded individuals who share the same passion for making a difference in the lives of others.
 
Outside of work she enjoys crafting, writing, cooking, and photography.  She has two daughters that are both attending college leaving Susan a new empty-nester. She says, her most proud accomplishment is “Raising my girls. They are strong, confident, and happy.”
 
Susan grew up in Aurora, Illinois where her father was an air traffic controller at O’Hare International Airport. Her family relocated to Stevens Point and she graduated from Pacelli Catholic High School.

Community Connection Calls

Community Connection Calls pairs someone requesting a call with a volunteer. They will call each week to offer a simple check-in and "hello" to keep our community members connected to one another and to any 211 information or resource they may request. If you would like further information about Community Connection Calls please contact: 715-848-2927. A caring connection is just a phone call away!
 
Click below on both links, as local media covered this opportunity. 
 
  • WAOW - United Way of Marathon County hopes to bring connection to people isolated during pandemic.
  • WSAW- Central Wisconsin program helps safely break barrier of isolation for older adults.

Community Connection Calls Flyer - General Community.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Housing Taskforce Video

BenBen Lee, our Community Impact Director of Financial Stability and Health, shares what a positive impact the Marathon County Housing Task Force has made. As an initial action step from the Task Force, Wausau PD and North Central Health Care reassigned staff from each of the agencies to start providing full-time care and attention to this population, with the goal of building relationships and helping them achieve stable housing. The objective is to not apply a one-size-fits-all approach to intervention with this group, but rather to spend significant time gathering information from these individuals to understand their unique stories and needs.
 
 

 

Changes for This Tax Year

Tax season is quickly approaching and appointments will look different this year. All appointments will be held at the UW-Extension Building, 212 River Dr., Wausau, WI, Tuesday & Wednesday Mornings, February 2 through March 31, 2021, 8:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m. Per AARP Guidelines, masks, social distancing will be required and building capacity will be limited. There will be fewer appointments available.

To make an appointment call United Way's 211 anytime or 715-513-7252, Weekdays 9 a.m - 1 p.m. to schedule an appointment between January 19 - March 26, 2021.

Due to changes in the program, two appointments will be required this year. For more information view the AARP Tax Flyer. 

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