Bundles of Joy

What is Bundles of Joy?

This annual community-wide project offers individuals and groups the opportunity to volunteer for a fun project and know that their efforts provide essential items for babies and toddlers. 

Bundles of Joy, a new United Way project in 2007, uses funds raised at the gift wrap center at the Wausau Center Mall to provide diapers and formula to struggling families in Marathon County.

Sponsorship of the gift wrap center by Marshfield Clinic and Wausau Center Mall allowed 100% of the proceeds from the Bundles of Joy project to provide diapers and formula to young families who are walking a financial tightrope. 

Why is it important?

Children left without formula or diapers could experience severe health risks.   When a family is out of food, they go to a food pantry.  But where do they turn when they run out of diapers or formula? Families were calling 2-1-1, and there was no place to send them for help.  United Way saw this unmet need and the struggle facing families needing to secure these high cost items.  The new community Bundles of Joy project helped fill this gap.

What we are doing.

The Bundles of Joy Gift Wrap Center has raised $17,000 in two years. Approximately 6,525 4-ounce bottles of formula and over 3,000 packages of diapers have been purchased and distributed in 2008 and 2009.

United Way brings the community together to provide families with the help they need to get through tough times.