Bundles of Joy

What is Bundles of Joy?

Bundles of Joy, a United Way project, purchases diapers and formula that are distributed to area organizations serving struggling families in Marathon County.

The public face of the project is the gift wrap center in the Wausau Center Mall whose donations fund the project. The center is run by volunteers Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve. 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. 

Why is it important?

When parents are forced to stretch their infant’s formula or number of diaper changes, the child’s health is at risk. 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 United Way’s 2-1-1, and there was no place to send them for help. United Way recognized this unmet need and the struggle families faced trying to secure these high cost items. Bundles of Joy helps fill this gap.

What are we doing?

During the 2011 holiday season, 389 volunteers wrapped a whopping 7,053 packages over 30 days. In total, gift wrapping raised $6,970.63. Together with other donations and the $5,000 match by B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation, that’s $12,795.63 to keep babies full and dry across Marathon County.

Since the project began in 2007, Bundles of Joy has received over $43,800 in donations in just five seasons. Approximately 7,982 4-ounce bottles of formula and over 5,346 packages of diapers have been purchased and distributed to struggling families right here in Marathon County.

Thanks are extended to our sponsors Ministry Health Care, Peoples State Bank and Wausau Center for providing all the gift wrapping supplies and mall space for the past season.