Uniting to Thrive Award
The Uniting to Thrive Award is a premier workplace award that recognizes an organization whose overall partnership — giving, volunteering, advocacy — most embodies the mission Uniting to Thrive and advances the Bold Goal. EO Johnson Business Technologies was honored the 2025 award.
Bold Goal Award
The Neighbors’ Place was the recipient of this award! This organization has supported United Way’s Bold Goal of lifting 10,000 community members to financial stability by 2033. They expanded access to their food pantry by offering evening shopping hours, directly responding to unmet food needs identified by United Way’s 211.
They provided case management to individuals with complex needs, helping them to achieve financial stability in 2025. They have also been an important partner in increasing access to locally grown, farm fresh produce through their active participation and support of United Way’s Hunger Coalition initiatives, including Mobile Markets, the Egg Project, and the Farm to Family Produce Program.
Dedication to Service Award
The Dedication to Service Award goes to a person and agency that directly impacts our new mission and bold goal, UNITING TO THRIVE. Stephanie Daniels, Aspirus Branch & Child Care Services Director was given this award in 2025.
Difference Makers Award
This award recognizes someone who truly lives out the spirit of service by dedicating a great deal of time to United Way, making a true difference. This award went to retiree Donna Staples. She is an active member of Retire United and has also shared her expertise and time by serving on the Investment Committee. Donna gives her time generously, asking for nothing in return, and the difference she makes goes far beyond what she probably realizes.
Advocate of the Year Award
Our Advocate of the Year is Janet Felch with J & D Tube Benders! Through her role as President of the Workplace Volunteer Council, she consistently rallies people to step up and make a difference. She spearheads the annual Fill a Backpack, Fill a Need event, helping ensure students across Marathon County start the school year with the supplies they need, regardless of a family’s ability to pay.
Volunteer of the Year Award
The Volunteer of the Year is Mike Bump from Greenheck Group! He led the efforts on the highly successful Parking Lot raffle and Make a Difference Day and supported many other initiatives. He was a member of the Corporate Giving Subcommittee and inspired many other companies to start to incorporate United Way activities year-round into their company culture. Mike is also the newest member of the Resource Development Committee.
Retired Volunteer of the Year
Our Retired Volunteer of the Year is Lee Huckbody! Over the past year, Lee has had a steady presence across several United Way volunteer efforts. He volunteered weekly throughout the summer with the Hunger Coalition’s Farm to Family Produce Program, helping ensure fresh produce reached families across our community.
He also jumped in wherever help was needed. He helped paint the Community Closet, participated in Retire United’s Retiree Summit, and pitched in to stuff resource bags for homeowners on Make a Difference Day.
Special Project Volunteer Award
Our Special Project Volunteer of the Year is Lisa O’Flyng from Ruder Ware! She coordinates a multi-site kit-building project that brings together Ruder Ware offices and United Way partners across four different communities.
She truly does it all. Lisa helps choose a kit idea that will make a real impact, determines exactly what supplies are needed, orders and manages inventory across all four locations, and ensures the kits are built and distributed in each community.
Staff Member of the Year
Congratulations to Jenni Whipps, the Community Closet Program Coordinator! Over the past year, we have seen volunteer hours in the Community Closet increase as a direct result of Jenni’s leadership. We have also expanded the reach of the Mobile Closet because of her willingness to say yes, including a somewhat last-minute visit to a nursing home the day before Christmas Eve.
Jenni keeps things running smoothly even when there is a line outside the door at the Community Closet. More importantly, she takes the time to connect guests with other resources that can help them move toward financial stability, whether that means referrals, follow-up support, or connections to trusted community partners.
Community Closet Volunteer of the Year
Congratulations to Julie Burmesch! Julie shows up week after week to help serve guests with care, patience, and respect. She is often one of the familiar faces welcoming people in, helping them find what they need, and making sure they feel comfortable and supported.
Julie has also made a thoughtful effort to strengthen her Spanish language skills so she can better connect with and serve guests whose first language is Spanish. That extra step speaks volumes about her commitment to meeting people where they are and making the Community Closet a welcoming place for everyone.
Campaigner of the Year
Nicole Skadahl from Greenheck Group is the 2025 Campaigner of the Year! For the first time under her leadership, Greenheck Group raised over $700,000 to support United Way of Marathon County. Nicole secured $10,000 in sponsorships to support an array of pivotal events for United Way. She is hardworking, passionate, and detail-oriented, and a shining example of a Company Campaign Champion.
Carol Pasnecker Office Volunteer of the Year Award
This award is given in memory of Carol Pasnecker. A long-time volunteer who passed away in 2021. The recipient of this award was Community Closet volunteer Diane Yunek! Diane has been a bulk mail volunteer for the past two years, helping to get out thank you letters and mail solicitations.
She also volunteers for the Turkey Trot and takes time to pack boxes for the Farm to Family program. Diane also helps with Women United’s largest event of the year, Power of the Purse.
Media Partner of the Year Award
Wausau City Pages took the Media Partner of the Year award! By covering our stories, promoting volunteer opportunities, and highlighting our impact, they have helped connect more people to causes that truly matter. We are grateful for their continued support, professionalism, and commitment to telling meaningful stories.
What truly sets this media outlet apart is the dedication of their account executive, who consistently goes above and beyond—securing page sponsors for two United Way ads each year.
Emerging Leader of the Year
Congratulation to Jill Jochimsen from Foot Locker! She has been a part of Emerging Leaders since 2020 and recently stepped back after serving as Past Chair of the Emerging Leaders Board of Directors. During her time, she made a meaningful impact across numerous committees, always leading with passion, encouragement, and unwavering dedication.
Women United Impact Award
This award went to Jennifer Johnson! Jennifer has been a passionate and dedicated leader within Women United since 2020, continuously inspiring those around her with her commitment, vision, and heart for service. Throughout her journey, she has made a meaningful impact across numerous committees, including Member Relations, Impact Committee, United We Celebrate, Leadership Council, and the Executive Committee.
Shining Star Awards
The employees of these companies ran campaigns that have shown participation growth, leadership growth, overall dollars raised, corporate gifts, and volunteerism. These employees are true advocates for United Way.
- Associated Bank
- Festival Foods
- Greenheck Group
- Maple Ridge Farms
- Wausau Supply Co.
- Wipfli
2025 SWEEPSTAKES WINNERS!
We would like to thank our Sweepstakes sponsors: UMR a United Healthcare Company, EO Johnson Business Technologies, and The Dirks Group. The prizes were purchased from local companies, stores and organizations in Marathon County.
- Joanne Hatton from Festival Foods who won a $500 gift certificate to The Grand Theater!
- Retiree Charlotte Doescher won a $500 Festival Foods gift card.
- Kari Zeinert at Intercity Bank who won a $500 Gift Certificate to Kwik Trip.
- Jay Lemke from Greenheck Group, won a $500 gift card to Townline Market.
- Kathi Hartle from the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central WI, who won a $500 gift card bundle. She will enjoy $100 gift cards to Dale’s Weston Lanes, Sconni’s Alehouse & Eatery, Tine & Cellar, Patron Restaurant, and Becca’s Cafe.
- Cassandra Walczak from Greenheck Group who won a $500 gift card bundle. She will enjoy $100 gift cards to Sam’s Pizza, Evolutions in Design, The Milk Merchant, The Chocolate Cafe, and The Local.
CASH PRIZE WINNERS!
The third place $1,000 winner was Stacy Pukall from Greenheck Group.
The second place $3,000 Winner would like to remain anonymous but donated the funds back to support the community garden.
The Grand Prize $7,000 winners was Johnny Coates from EO Johnson Business Technologies.