The Marathon County Hunger Coalition an initiative of United Way of Marathon County received a donation from Wausau’s two Rotary clubs. The clubs have donated $6,336 dollars to purchase food for students in Edgar, Colby and Mosinee for weekend food packs.

The Rotary Club of Wausau and the Wausau Early Birds Rotary Club provided funds that were matched by a grant from Rotary District 6220, which covers a large portion of northeastern Wisconsin and the upper peninsula of Michigan. “Among Rotary International causes is to help women and children, and to help educate,” said Matt Rowe, Rotary Club of Wausau President. “Our donation is in line with both of those Rotary International goals.”

This donation is the second by the three Rotary organizations. Earlier in the year, the three donated $3,000 to the Hunger Coalition. The new donation will feed children on the weekends for ten weeks.

“Especially now during the pandemic, this food is important to those children,” said Dave Anderson, Wausau Early Birds Rotary Club President. “So many families have lost income due to job losses, and to be able to ensure a child eats right is absolutely the right thing to do.”

The Hunger Coalition will purchase food for the program from Edgar IGA, also supporting a Marathon County business during the pandemic.

Wausau, WI- United Way of Marathon County created a fun project for businesses and families to participate in safe and small groups. 17 business, organizations and families participated this year, collecting more than 7,573 lbs of food.

Participating business and families include: Associated Bank, Prevail Bank, Boys & Girls Club, UMR, BMO Harris, McLit Marathon County Literacy, Marshfield Clinic Wausau, Marathon County Special Education, Peoples State Bank Wausau, Sun Printing, Healthfirst, Greenheck, County Market, Medical College of WI- Central WI, Peoples State Bank Marathon, Arnold Family and the Stukenberg Family.

Food from the event supports the Marathon County Hunger Coalition, an initiative of United Way.

For the past 90 years, United Way of Marathon County has committed to health, education and financial stability in our county.

United Way of Marathon County Volunteer Connection is looking for people to rake yards. Small groups of people are needed to rake yards of elderly and disabled residents in our community. Fall yard cleanup is a great way to volunteer while adhering to safe, social distancing. Raking will take place the week of October 19-24, 2020 when it is convenient for the volunteers and the homeowner.

With the inability of larger corporate or school groups to gather, we need more families and small teams to volunteer. Groups of ten or less, are encouraged to register by October 9, 2020, to be eligible for a door prize of United Way t-shirts for your team.

National Make a Difference Day is celebrated on October 24, 2020 and is a day that brings community service to the spotlight, uniting people to improve the lives of others. It is the largest day of service in the United States.

United Way of Marathon County’s mission is to unite people and organizations in Marathon County to build a stronger community and strategically invest in education, financial stability and health priorities to improve lives now and into the future. It began in 1930 and has been a staple of the community expanding to include four coalitions and more than 39 funded partners that are invested in the education, financial stability and health of our community.

More details are available on the United Way website at www.unitedwaymc.org.

United Way of Marathon County, Emerging Leaders, is providing breakfast snack packs for 18 schools, totaling 2,550 students.

This year, the annual Smack Hunger event was postponed due to Covid-19. The leadership group decided to not just cancel the single day event, but create an event that would allow businesses to participate.

This year, 17 teams, representing 16 companies are packing breakfast snack packs for students. Each pack includes an apple sauce, cereal, fruit snacks, graham crackers, a granola bar, instant oatmeal and a juice box. Each team is responsible for packing 150 kits. These volunteers are committed to reducing hunger and food insecurity in our community for students during this uncertain time. Breakfast snack kits will be distributed to 6 School Districts and 18 schools in our area. This project was financially sponsored by the B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation.

United Way Emerging Leaders is the next generation of professionals who want to make a difference in our community. Members enjoy exclusive opportunities to network with business leaders, volunteer for projects, and improve the community we serve. More than 450 members enrich their lives and the lives of others through Connect, Serve and Lead opportunities.

For the past 90 years, United Way of Marathon County has committed to health, education and financial stability in our county.

     

(Photo includes members from BMO Harris Bank and Incredible Bank packing their breakfast kits.)

The COVID-19 Community Response Fund continues to connect the donations of generous donors with local nonprofits in need.

WAUSAU, WI- The COVID-19 Community Response Fund initiated by the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin and United Way of Marathon County has experienced an outpouring of support since its inception in late March and is proud to announce an additional gift received of $23,000 from the Spring Fever Group of Wausau.

Formed in the 1980’s, the 25 member Spring Fever social group hosts a biannual event for its members and guests. Each member of the group is deeply invested in the Wausau community in various ways. With the cancellation of this year’s event, the group decided to respond in a positive and proactive way to assist the community.

“The members of our group recognized the need in the community was great,” said Todd Nicklaus, president of Spring Fever. “When the members of our group learned of the COVID-19 Community Response Fund, we decided to pool our money to make a greater impact in our community.”

Organizations such as the Spring Fever Group have allowed funds to be made available quickly for nonprofits during this time. The Fund has received nearly $500,000 in donations and granted $446,828 to local nonprofits.

To see a complete list of donors, apply for a grant, and more, visit: https://cfoncw.org/2020/03/16/3488/