September 01, 2021

Follow My Heart and Head

My heart is filled with a passion to give back to this community that has supported my career, helped to raise my children, and brought me happiness and fulfillment. I can’t imagine living anywhere else and, while we aren’t perfect, I love being in a small enough community where I know that I can actually make a difference. Many things in our lives have changed in the past year, but one thing that seems to remain constant is the request for your time and your hard-earned dollars. Like picking through junk mail, some are easy to discard but how do you evaluate your level of support for causes that you believe in?

I choose to follow my heart and head.

When I follow my head, I look for accountability and impact. Simply put, your donation truly stays local by directly supporting our neighbors who need help. Your support also allows our team of professionals to use their expertise to determine who needs that help and what type of assistance is most effective. They also ensure that objectives are met and the impact can be measured. Statistically, you likely already know someone who is a beneficiary of your support. When deciding on whether to increase or continue that support, please feel confident knowing that your donation is making a difference!

Chris Pfender, Board President of United Way of Marathon County 

Make a Difference Day

Join United Way Volunteer Connection for Make a Difference Day 2021! United Way of Marathon County coordinates the largest annual leaf raking event in the area to support community members who are elderly or physically unable to carry out their yard work alone. Make a team and make a difference! This will be a weeklong event running October 18th-23rd. Registration now open. All ages welcome! Anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Please follow current CDC guidelines around masking and social distancing.  

Click here to register your team or yard

Click here for a printable poster.

 

Give Where You Live

Why Give to United Way? Your gift stays in your community. Volunteers examine local needs and determine the most effective solutions to address them. United Way maximizes the impact of your gift through matching grants, corporate and in-kind gifts so your gift goes further. Watch here.

21 Week Challenge

United Way of Wisconsin is hosting a 21 Week Equity Challenge.  Unite with people around Wisconsin to learn and grow together.  The challenge is a 21-week exercise to deepen understanding of how inequity and racism affect our lives and communities.  Learn more & sign up at: www.unitedwaywi.org/equity

Starting August 30, you’ll receive a weekly email intended to take you through a journey to deepen your understanding of inequity and racism, suggest ways to take action, and help launch what we hope will be a lifelong commitment to improving equity and inclusion in our communities.

Turkey Trot

The 12th annual United Way of Marathon County Turkey Trot Registration is now open! Lace up your shoes and join us in fighting hunger in Marathon County. All proceeds benefit The Marathon County Hunger Coalition. The run/walk will take place on Thanksgiving morning, Thursday November 25th at 8:30 am, starting from the Eastbay parking lot. We look forward to another Thanksgiving Morning together! For additional information and registration, visit our registration page! If you have additional questions or would like to get involved, please email Ben Lee.

Sweepstakes 2021

Make a donation of at least $1 per week ($52+ per year) during United Way of Marathon County’s Campaign and you will automatically be entered into the sweepstakes. The prizes include cash and local gift cards to area businesses including Jim Kryshak Jewelers, County Market, Grebes, Shepherd & Schaller, Janke Book Store, Sam’s Pizza, Evolutions In Design, the Milk Merchant and Briq’s Soft Serve.  The prizes are sponsored by Cloverbelt Credit Union, Crystal Finishing, the Dirks Group and UMR.

Closet Update

The Career Closet, Boots to Work and Rebecca’s Closet will resume normal in person operating hours beginning the week of September 13th. Career Closet/Boots to Work: Tuesday 3pm-5pm, Wednesday 11am-1pm and Thursday 12pm-2pm. Rebecca’s Closet: Thursday 3-5pm (agency representative use only) Donations will be accepted for Community Closets, but are limited to two totes or two grocery bags per person. For questions concerning Career Closet, Boots to Work or Rebecca’s Closet please contact the United Way main office at 715-848-2927.

United We CAN

For the second year, this food collection event will support local food pantries and create a fun community event.  In 2020 Community Fest was postponed and United We CAN went virtual.  In 2021 we have eleven businesses and organizations committed to food donation drives.  If you are interested in participating please email Sarah Olafson today.  Online voting will begin in October.


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