October 06, 2021

Fall is Proof that Change is Beautiful

As we head into Fall we often think of change. It is often said that change is the only constant in life. We as humans are prone to resist change and the risks associated with it. In today’s society and the current state of the world around us, we see that the pace of change is immensely faster and seems like it will only continue to accelerate. United Way of Marathon is currently involved in a strategic planning process. Through surveys, conversations, and reviewing local data we will undergo change to better serve the community. To quote Winston Churchill, “There is nothing wrong with change, if it is in the right direction.”

Jeff Sargent, CEO United Way of Marathon County 

Make a Difference Day/Week

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. This will be a week-long event running October 18th-23rd.

To submit a yard request or volunteer please visit: Click here

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!  Click here to register.

Award

At a recent United Way Women United meeting, the board gave out their Above and Beyond Award. This award recognizes a woman who has passionately devoted significant personal energy to further the goals and objectives of Women United.  Congratulations to Erika Van De Yacht! Erika has embodied the work of Women United by helping to create a better place for local women who are facing various hardships in their lives.  Thank you Erika. 

United We CAN Voting

Vote for your favorite CAN Sculpture by October 8th.  Businesses and organizations collected food for this event and created sculptures to raise awareness for hunger relief.  All food from this event was donated to the Marathon County Hunger Coalition.  Award winners will be announced next week. Thank you to UMR and BMO Harris Bank for your generous sponsorship of this event, along with WSAW-TV.  VOTE here.

Volunteering

We have welcomed back office volunteers to work on various projects and continue to support organizations with the goal of improving the lives of people in our community now and into the future. Ruder Ware and Greenheck employees made Snack Packs and Calming Kits for students.  Residents from Copperleaf cleaned books and assembled laundry kits. 17 area businesses assembled Breakfast Kits for the Emerging Leaders Smack Hunger project.  Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) volunteers packed Sunshine Kits for elderly homebound people in our area. Watch our Facebook page or  Click here to get involved.

Welcome!

Melissa Beese joined United Way in August as the Director of Finance and Administration.  She grew up in Wausau and previously worked for Homme Home and Children’s Wisconsin.  Melissa is very connected and committed to this community. She loves United Way because she knows what we do is helping so many residents and families in the area.  She is passionate about her family and her children, as they have grown into outstanding adults, and she is very proud of them.  Melissa is pretty serious about her career but loves to make people smile.  “Smiles are free but they are worth a lot to others!”  Outside of work, she enjoys going up north to their cabin and relaxing on weekends. 

Sweepstakes

You could win! Make a donation of at least $1 per week ($52 or more per year) during the United Way of Marathon County's Campaign and you will be automatically entered into the sweepstakes. Donate here. Thank you to the generous sponsors:  Cloverbelt Credit Union, Crystal Finishing, The Dirks Group, and UMR.  All prizes are donated or sponsored and are subject to change.  No campaign dollars are used to cover the cost of this sweepstakes. This year, local gift cards include: Jim Kryshak Jewelers, Crossroads County Market, Kwik Trip, Grebes, Shepherd and Schaller, Janke Books Store, Sams Pizza, Evolutions In Design, The Milk Merchant, and Briq's Soft Serve. 

Last year winners were awarded prizes in February including Heidi Rausch from Associated Bank,  Roberta Maas from Menzner Hardwoods Co.,  Jason Resch from Greenheck and Amy Gewiss from Nationwide.  For a complete list of winners CLICK HERE.

Click to view other years:
2023   2022   2020   2019   2018   2017   2016