Inner Focus, Winter, 2009

• A quarterly publication of the United Way of Inner Wisconsin
• To recieve our newsletter electronically, click here and specify "Inner Focus."
• Click here to download a PDF of this newsletter.

What's New:

• We are now presenting the Leadership Giver Awards during the “Thank You and Recognition Celebration.” If you are a Leadership Giver, please plan on attending the “Thank You and Recognition Celebration” to receive your award and be recognized!

Calendar:

• December 16, 2009 - Thank You & Recognition Celebration, 5pm - 7pm at the Hotel Mead. Awards at 6pm. This event is for anyone who volunteered and/or made a donation to United Way of Inner Wisconsin!
• February 3, 2010 - Annual Meeting, 5:45pm at River Cities Bank. The public is welcome to attend. All United Way contributors are members of the United Way Corporation and may vote during the annual meeting.
  

Thank You For Your Support This Year!

• By Dawn and Mike Spranger, 2009 United Way Campaign Co-Chairs
• As the United Way of Inner Wisconsin’s 2009 campaign nears the end, we thought it appropriate to comment on the fundraising experience from our perspective as co-chairs. In visiting the employees at the various workplaces, it has been interesting to see what “United Way” means to them. Some visits were rather low key, while others had campaigns or events that required significant interaction of the employees. Regardless of the type of campaign, the level of commitment by the campaign coordinators in those workplaces was clearly evident. Many have done this for years, and their enthusiasm for United Way is contagious. It was truly a pleasure for us to visit each and every workplace that we did.
• We’ve heard and seen how opportunities created through United Way have changed lives. We’ve seen recipients of one United Way program volunteering for another United Way program. Some have received help at an extremely difficult time in their life, and to see the grateful look on their faces or the feeling of pride they convey in being able to now help someone else is truly moving. Your investment really does make
  a difference.
• In closing, recently one of our donors commented that perhaps he may not fit the image of a Leadership Giver. After our experiences with the United Way during this campaign, we would suggest the opposite. Like many of you, he is deeply rooted in our community. He works for a company that plays a vital role in our community, and is grateful that he is in a position to contribute. He recognizes the needs in the community, and wants to make a difference by helping our most vulnerable. He sees results in his giving by the impact of United Way. To us, this is exactly the image of a United Way donor. Thank you for your support.

Spotlight on Assets

• Asset # 6 - PARENT INVOLVEMENT IN SCHOOLING
• Young people who have this asset have parents who are actively involved in helping them succeed in school.
• Connect with your child’s teachers and touch base with them at least every other month. Don’t wait for them to communicate with you. Regularly ask your children what they are learning in school. Offer to help with homework in appropriate ways – be available for advice, suggestions, or to check assignments. Don’t write the paper or do the science fair project for them. Volunteer to do what you can to help out at school.
• Parents tend to be most involved with their children’s education during elementary school and less during middle and high school. Stay actively involved.
• To learn more about Developmental Assets for children, visit the Search Institute’s website at www.search-institute.org.

The Holiday Guide for Volunteers

• By Amy Neumann, United Way of Inner Wisconsin’s Volunteer Center Coordinator
• United Way of Inner Wisconsin’s Volunteer Center is proud to announce the distribution of the annual Holiday Guide for Volunteers.
  The Holiday Guide is a pamphlet organized and distributed by the Volunteer Center that highlights volunteer needs in our community during this holiday season. Affiliate non-profit organizations submit their volunteer needs and they are organized in to one convenient pamphlet.
• “Volunteers are needed year round,” stated Amy Neumann, Volunteer Center Coordinator, “but now is the perfect time of year to give back to your community and begin a volunteer relationship that lasts all year long.”
• If you would like to receive a copy of the Holiday Guide or are interested in volunteering in
  our community please contact Amy Neumann at 715-421-0390 or at amy@uwiw.org. You can also click here to view our online database of volunteer opportunities.

United Way's 2-1-1: New Director

• United Way’s 2-1-1 is pleased to announce its newest hire, Kimberly Raap. Kimberly is the new 2-1-1 Director as of September 28, 2009.
• Kimberly brings with her experience as a former Military Family Advocate, where she helped military families in need; and a volunteer Navy Family Ombudsman, which helps support families of deployed soldiers. Kimberly is currently a graduate student attending Columbia College (online) and is majoring in Criminal Justice.
• Kimberly recently relocated to Wisconsin Rapids after her husband retired from the U.S. Navy. The couple has a son, Nicholas (19) and two daughters, Meghan (16) and Madison (1). Nicholas is in the Air Force and is stationed in Las Vegas at the Nellis Air Force Base. The family spent the last 14 years stationed at different bases in California. Originally from Texas, Kimberly has also lived in Washington and Florida. Kimberly enjoys photography and boating.
• United Way’s 2-1-1 is a FREE three digit number you can dial to receive information and referral to local community resources. Commonly asked questions range from “I have something to donate – what agencies are taking donations?” to “I’m going to get laid off soon and I’m worried about my family’s finances.”
• United Way’s 2-1-1 is based at the United Way of Inner Wisconsin office and is governed collaboratively between United Way of Inner Wisconsin and Marshfield Area United Way. United Way’s 2-1-1 covers: Wood, Adams, Juneau, Clark, Taylor, Rusk, Price, Barron, Sawyer, Washburn, Burnett, Ashland, Bayfield and Iron Counties.
• “I feel the 2-1-1 program is a tool that has limitless potential in empowering the citizens in the communities we serve,” said Kimberly. “I’m excited to be a part of the United Way team!”

The 2009 Campaign In Photos

• To view all of our photos, check out our photo gallery on flickr! Click here for your viewing enjoyment!
  

Day of Caring Was A Success

• United Way of Inner Wisconsin’s Volunteer Center held its Day of Caring event Saturday, October 24, 2009. Day of Caring is formerly associated with Make a Difference Day and is a community wide day of volunteering.
• This year over 370 volunteers came out and donated their time. Forty yards were raked for our elderly and disabled neighbors and five area non-profit organizations had outdoor projects done by our volunteers. All of the individuals who received services were very grateful. The volunteers who came out all had fun and enjoyed giving back to their community.
• This day is made possible through donations from: the Grand Rapids Lion’s Club for the use of their facilities, providing volunteers and providing the hotdogs and other food; the Jack Tauschek family and MMV catering for the donation of roast beef, BBQ pork and buns; Pepsi-Cola General Bottlers for donating soda and water; Kwik Trip South for donating bananas; the Wisconsin Rapids Kiwanis Club and Wisconsin Rapids Noon Rotary Club for donating the t-shirts; Copps and Baker Street IGA for the gift cards; West Grand IGA for allowing us to hold our food drive; Subway West for donating cookies; and the Youth Advisory Council for assisting with plans. Thank you!
  

Legacy Society

• Now is the perfect time to make your tax-deductible year-end contribution to United Way of
  Inner Wisconsin’s LEGACY SOCIETY.
• Call United Way of Inner Wisconsin today to learn about the many ways you can make a gift, and make a difference in the lives of our neighbors in need.715-421-0390.

You're Invited!

• You have made an impact in our communities. To thank you, you are cordially invited to our Thank You & Recognition Celebration, December 16, 2009, 5:00 - 7:00pm at the Hotel Mead and Conference Center.
• Cash Bar, 5:00 - 7:00pm; Awards at 6:00pm
• *Thanks to our sponsors, admission is free and event is at no cost to United Way of Inner Wisconsin! Sponsors: Brenda Huber, Mid-State Technical College & Riverview Hospital Association. Thank you Hotel Mead for hosting the event.
• For more information, contact United Way of Inner Wisconsin at 715-421-0390 or visit www.uwiw.org
• *Sponsors as of 11-17-09