Media Releases Archives - United Way of Marathon County

Advocate of the Year

For Immediate Release Wausau, WI- The United Way of Marathon County recognized their Advocate of the Year, Dana Kamke, teacher, from the Mosinee School District. Ms. Kamke teaches a homelessness unit in her classroom and the students learn the importance of meeting basic needs for all people. The students, realized there was a need at their school for students to have food at home on the weekends. Their program provides weekend meals and snack for students while teaching organization skills, job skills and service back to the community. She has involved students in the project to stock shelves, pack meals and gather donations. Ms. Kamke started a food pantry in the Mosinee Middle School and is now exploring adding another pantry in the elementary school. Her students have also adopted a program for female hygiene products.

Recognition Lunch

January 29, 2020

The United Way of Marathon County will recognize companies and individuals on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 as they celebrate their 90th year. Individuals and companies will be honored and recognized for their work in the community. One lucky donor will drive away with a brand-new Fiat Spider Convertible. 90 years ago, the Great Depression had its grip on the country which caused 1350 banks to fail. The US had its worst ever drought resulting in The Dust Bowl. Gas cost 10 cents a gallon and United Way was created to make a difference in the lives of people in our community. United Way will recognize their Advocate of the Year, Dana Kamke, teacher, from the Mosinee School District. A few years ago Ms. Kamke taught a homelessness unit in her classroom and took her class to area shelters in Wausau on a field trip. The students learned the importance of meeting basic needs for all people and wondered what could they do to make a difference. The students, realized there was a need at their school for students to have food at home on the weekends. Ms. Kamke started a food pantry in the Mosinee Middle School and is now exploring adding another pantry in the elementary school. She has involved students in the project to stock shelves, pack meals and gather donations. Also at the Award Luncheon a grand prize winner will drive away with a new car. The car was out and about during the campaign, visiting companies and at multiple community events. There were 5,385 individuals who qualified for the sweepstakes. On December 18, 10 finalists were drawn at random and invited to attend the luncheon.

LIFE Report

January 24, 2020

United Way of Marathon County and their community partners released the LIFE Report this morning to a large crowd at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point at Wausau Campus- Center for Civic Engagement. This report is presented every two years and is a resource to acknowledge the communities strengthens, identify challenges and advance community conversations and partnerships. This year’s report featured sevens calls to action: including reducing alcohol use and abuse, increasing childcare services and availability, increasing drug treatment and recovery resources, housing needs, water quality, partnerships with workforce development and increasing diversity in the community. The panel discussion this morning was well received by the audience and brought a standing ovation. Four local experts from varying fields and backgrounds including: Blake Opal-Wahoske, Executive Director, Wausau River District, MaiGer Moua, Crisis Operations Manager, North Central Health Care, Gwen Taylor, Director of Program and Inclusion, Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes and Jonette Arms, Executive Director, Aging and Disability Resource Center of Central Wisconsin. The report is a combined effort of sustaining funders including: multiple health systems and clinics, Marathon County Health Department and the United Way of Marathon County. Area businesses, volunteers, advisors and a strong steering committee work year-round to compile results and publish outcomes. The committee is led by LIFE Report Chairperson, Tara Draeger. Additional print copies of the Snapshot Report are available at the United Way Office. Full-color version of the report and Snapshot will be available online at: unitedwaymc.org marathoncountypulse.org

Need help filing taxes this year?

Tax season is in full swing in Marathon County. United Way’s 211 can help individuals and families seeking tax assistance find local programs that provide free tax assistance, online tax self-filing, and tax-specific resources to help answer complex tax-related questions.

The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) offers two volunteer tax aid programs to help residents with low to moderate income, with no rental property, file for federal, state, and homestead tax returns. To make a tax appointment at either location, call 715-298-5734, Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

UW-Extension Marathon County, 212 River Dr., Wausau
- Appointments begin February 4 – April 11 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 7:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Mosinee United Methodist Church, 607 13th St., Mosinee, Community Room 207.
- Appointments only on Thursday, March 19 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m

There are additional tax-aid programs available for Marathon residents including locations in Marshfield and Merrill.

For Marshfield, call 211 Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
For Merrill, call 715-298-5734, Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Households interested in self-filing their taxes online at no charge can visit www.myfreetaxes.com.

Residents with tax-specific questions can call Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Taxpayer hotline at 1-800-829-1040 or Wisconsin Department of Revenue at 608-266-2772.

For additional information on tax aid resources, dial 211 to speak with an Information Specialist, 24/7. Language interpreter service available. Text your zip code to 898211 to reach an Information Specialist Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (standard message and data rates may apply), by chat Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at www.unitedwaymc.org/get-help or by email at askus@unitedwaymc.org. To search the online database or view publications, go to www.unitedwaymc.org/get-help.

United Way participates in MLK 2020 Day of Service Project

United Way of Marathon County and their Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) will participate in the National Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on January 20, 2020.

Local volunteers will pack backpacks for Blessings in a Backpack. This program feeds school children who currently are fed during the week on the federally funded Free and Reduced Meal Program in the Wausau School District and DC Everest District and are at risk of going hungry on the weekends. Its mission is to mobilize communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry. The food provided meets nutritional guidelines and is able to be easily prepared by the children themselves.

The packing will take place on Monday, January 20 from 9:30 am-11:30 am at the Idea Charter School located at 4704 Camp Phillips Road in Weston. This event is open to the public.

For more information about the United Way of Marathon County RSVP program please visit www.unitedwaymc.org/get-involved/volunteer/rsvp-55 or contact

Susan Krolow at 715-298-5721.

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 24 funded partners that are invested in the education, financial stability and health of our community.