2012 News Archives
- 3M Employees and Retirees Donate Winter Wear
- Happy Holidays from United Way St. Croix Valley
- Local Schools Receive Special United Way Recognition
- United Way Holiday Hope Online Fundraiser
- United Way Sponsors River Falls Eco Village
- Allina Health Sponsors Food Resource Center Shipment
- Donors Give $1,400 on Give to the Max Day
- United We Can Winners Announced
- United Way Features Match for Give to the Max Day
- United Way Announces Regional Fund for Communities Hardest Hit by Sandy Throughout the Eastern Seaboard
- Dreadwood Haunted Forest Holding Food Drive
- Knights of Columbus Fundraiser at Buffalo Wild Wings
- UPS Holds Golf Tournament to Benefit United Way
- United Way Launches Campaign with Hot Air Balloon Contest
- United Way to Hold Contest to Combat Hunger
- United Way and UW Extension Provide Nutrition Education
- United Way Online Auction Raises $1,591.45 for Basic Needs
- United Way Distributes Funds
- United Way to Hold Online Auction Fundraiser
- United Way to Pack Food With Feed My Starving Children
- 3M Provides Grant to United Way on Behalf of 3M Volunteer Warren Schneider
- PressEnter! Gives to United Way Through Facebook Fundraiser
- United Way Agencies to Host Take Back the Night Event
- United Way and FamilyWize Partnership a Success
- 2011 Annual Report Available
- RESCO Contributes to United Way
3M Employees and Retirees Donate Winter Wear
3M employees and retirees knitted and donated more than 200 hats and scarves to United Way St. Croix Valley. They were distributed on December 11 to the approximately dozen food pantries and shelters in the area that regularly receive food donations from the Food Resource Center. United Way is grateful for 3M's contribution.
Pictured left to right are Larry Spychalla, who delivered the hats and scarves, and John Coughlin.
Happy Holidays from United Way St. Croix Valley
All of us at United Way St. Croix Valley want to wish you a very happy holiday season, and to thank you for all your support this past year. Please click here for a holiday card from us.
Local Schools Receive Special United Way Recognition
Several local school districts received special recognition for their contributions to the 2012 fall United Way St. Croix Valley campaign. Congratulations to the following:
- Best School Campaign - Hudson School District
- Best New School Campaign - School District of Osceola
- Greatest Growth Campaign - School District of River Falls
Pictured left to right are Tom Westerhaus, School District of River Falls Superintendent; Stacy Myers, School District of River Falls Board Chair; Mike Johnson, School District of River Falls Director of Academic Services and United Way Employee Campaign Leader; John Coughlin, United Way St. Croix Valley Executive Director.
United Way Holiday Hope Online Fundraiser
Join United Way St. Croix Valley in our Holiday Hope fundraiser December 7-21. Create your own fundraising page and compete to raise the most money to benefit Pierce, Polk and St. Croix County nonprofit agencies and programs.
The top fundraiser will be able to select one of our funded nonprofit agencies to receive half of all the money raised. For a list of our funded agencies, visit our Agency Partners page. The other half will go towards our general fall 2012 campaign. The top fundraiser will also receive a Live United prize pack.
We hope you will join us in making the St. Croix Valley better for all by participating in our Holiday Hope fundraiser this holiday season. Thank you and happy holidays from United Way St. Croix Valley.
United Way Sponsors River Falls Eco Village
United Way St. Croix Valley is a proud sponsor of a St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity Eco Village kitchen. The Eco Village is currently being built in River Falls. John Coughlin of United Way St. Croix Valley recently stopped by to see how construction is going. He is pictured at left with Peter Morsch, Resource Development Manager for St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity. For more information on the Eco Village, click here.
Allina Health Sponsors Food Resource Center Shipment
Allina Health recently made a $2,500 contribution to support United Way St. Croix Valley’s Food Resource Center. The funds were used to purchase a truckload of food for distribution to food shelves throughout Pierce and St. Croix Counties. United Way is grateful for the contribution.
Read Allina Health's full press release.
Pictured: Heather Logelin, Foundation & Community Engagement; Tracy Dierks, Surgical Services; John Coughlin, United Way St. Croix Valley; Kristen Novak, Human Resources; Beth Nelson, Marketing Communications
Donors Give $1,400 on Give to the Max Day
GiveMN.org's Give to the Max Day was Thursday, Nov. 15, and United Way St. Croix Valley had a $2,000 donor-provided matching grant available. Throughout the day $1,400 was raised and will be matched by the grant. United Way Executive Director John Coughlin was also interviewed at the Mall of America that day as part of the Give to the Max Day festivities. United Way St. Croix Valley thanks everyone who donated and helped get the word out.
United We Can Winners Announced
Throughout the month of October, organizations participated in United Way St. Croix Valley's United We Can contest to help end hunger in the St. Croix Valley and to kick off United Way’s fundraising campaign. Each organization used nonperishable food, paper products and personal care items to create a unique sculpture. The items were donated to the organization's local food pantry upon completion.
United Way asked each organization to submit a photo of its sculpture before donating it so participants could be recognized for their creativity and more. The final award was the People’s Choice, which was voted on via United Way St. Croix Valley’s website Nov. 5-11.
United Way St. Croix Valley would like to thank all participating organizations for donating more than 1,500 food, paper and personal care items to food pantries throughout the area.
Congratulations to the United We Can winners:
- People’s Choice – FedEx Home Delivery
- Most Creative – New Richmond Middle School
- Best Promotion of Your Business or School – Somerset High School Student Council
Pictured: FedEx Home Delivery. View photos of all the winners.
United Way Features Match for Give to the Max Day
GiveMN.org's Give to the Max Day is coming up Thursday, Nov. 15, and we are so excited and grateful that one of our donors has offered to match the first $2,000 donated on our GiveMN.org webpage that day. Also, our Executive Director John Coughlin will be interviewed at the Mall of America at 1:55 p.m. Thursday in the Bloomingdale Courtyard near The Rainforest Cafe as part of the Give to the Max Day festivities.
United Way Announces Regional Fund for Communities Hardest Hit by Sandy Throughout the Eastern Seaboard
Donations to Support Near-Term and Long-Term Recovery
Donate at uwsandyrecovery.org or by texting RECOVERY to 52000
New York, NY—United Way today announced the creation of the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund (#sandyfund). Contributions to the Fund will be used by local United Ways along the Eastern Seaboard to address the near-term and long-term recovery needs of communities most affected by the hurricane. In addition, the Fund will be utilized to bolster United Way’s community impact partners that serve Hurricane affected individuals and families who are already vulnerable -- struggling with food insecurity and the ability meet their most basic needs.
At the request of and in coordination with United Way U.S.A., United Way of New York City will lead fundraising efforts and ensure that all funds are used efficiently and effectively to serve those in need. United Way of New York City will charge no administrative fees.
"We know that communities experiencing disasters of this magnitude have immediate and urgent needs, but often the greatest needs occur with the intermediate and long-term recovery and rebuilding of lives and communities. That's the role of United Way," says United Way U.S.A. President Stacey Stewart. "With leadership from United Way of New York City, our network of United Ways across the region and the country came together to create this recovery fund, and we will use it to strengthen the communities we rebuild."
"In this unprecedented situation, we know that those New Yorkers who struggle on a regular basis will have the hardest time getting back on their feet from the effects of Hurricane Sandy,” said Sheena Wright, President and CEO of United Way of New York City. “Here in New York, we will be working through our community partners who are on the ground to make sure that low-income individuals and families impacted by the hurricane are getting the services they need when and where they need it most."
Contributions to the Fund will be used by local United Ways in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, DC and West Virginia to address recovery needs in communities that FEMA has declared disaster areas. Taken together, the United Ways participating in the fund annually serve 11.9 million people, including over 1 million people served by the United Way of New York City. In the areas where the fund is operating, Hurricane Sandy has affected almost 8 million people.
United Way has a history of immediate response in times of need. Following the 9/11 attacks, United Way of New York City created the September 11th Fund in partnership with the New York Community Trust, raising and distributing over $500 million. Following the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010, United Way of NYC partnered with the Brooklyn Community Foundation to found and fund the NYC Haitian Hope & Healing Fund to address the short and long-term needs of affected individuals residing in New York. And following last year’s Hurricane Irene, United Way of New York State set up the Hurricane Irene Recovery Fund to help those in need.
Donations to the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund can be made online at uwsandyrecovery.org. A $10 donation can be made by texting the word RECOVERY to 52000. Promote the United Way Hurricane Sandy Recovery Fund on Twitter using #sandyfund.
Dreadwood Haunted Forest Holding Food Drive
Dreadwood Haunted Forest in Hudson is holding a food drive to benefit the United Way Food Resource Center. If you bring a non-perishable food item you will receive $2 off your ticket price. Dreadwood is open every Friday and Saturday in October and is located at 835 County Road E. United Way St. Croix Valley thanks Dreadwood Haunted Forest for its support of the Food Resource Center.
Knights of Columbus Fundraiser at Buffalo Wild Wings
Knights of Columbus, Council #1762 in Hudson is holding a fundraiser to raise funds to sponsor a shipment of food for the Food Resource Center. Every Wednesday in October, patrons of the Buffalo Wild Wings in Hudson can tell their server they are dining to support the Knights of Columbus. Ten percent of their food and non-alcoholic beverage total will be donated by the restaurant to support this effort. United Way St. Croix Valley thanks the Knights of Columbus for their support of the Food Resource Center.
UPS Holds Golf Tournament to Benefit United Way
UPS held a golf tournament August 11 at Pheasant Hills in Hammond and raised $700 for United Way St. Croix Valley. Pictured with the check are Dan Haider of UPS, left, and United Way St. Croix Valley Executive Director John Coughlin.
United Way Launches Campaign with Hot Air Balloon Contest
To celebrate the 2012 United Way campaign kickoff, United Way St. Croix Valley and United Way of Washington County-East held a hot air balloon launch on September 6 at Stillwater Balloon in Lakeland. United Way St. Croix Valley’s campaign chair Cindy Jahnke and United Way of Washington County-East’s campaign chair Joan Beaver “launched” the campaigns in the hot air balloon provided by Stillwater Balloon.
The two United Ways are also teaming with Stillwater Balloon to offer a balloon ride for four United Way supporters. Each United Way is giving away one certificate for a ride for two. The United Ways are asking entrants to subscribe to a sample issue of their local United Way’s e-newsletter if they are not currently subscribed (everyone may unsubscribe at any time). To enter, send an email to ksmith@unitedwaystcroix.org with the subject line "Hot Air Balloon Contest" and home zip code in the email's body. Contest entries will be accepted from September 10-30 and one winner per United Way will be drawn on October 1.
United Way St. Croix Valley will formally begin its 2012 Campaign on Monday, September 17. The annual fundraising appeal, which funds United Way initiatives and more than sixty local nonprofit programs and services serving Pierce, Polk and St. Croix County residents, will run through November 16. United Way St. Croix Valley’s three focus areas are meeting basic and emergency needs, strengthening children and families and promoting health and independence.
“We use the words ‘programs and services’ to discuss the work that our agency partners do but it doesn’t really tell the story of the lives that are changed,” said John Coughlin, United Way St. Croix Valley Executive Director. “When I see smiles on the faces of children at Grace Place shelter, I see that change because they and their parents now have hope and the support needed to build a strong future,” he continued.
"When we unite together to help one another, we create a stronger community for all,” 2012 Campaign Chair Cindy Jahnke said. “Your gifts really do make a difference right here in the St. Croix Valley.”
For more information on United Way St. Croix Valley or this year’s campaign, visit www.unitedwaystcroix.org or contact John Coughlin at 715-377-0203 ext. 102 or coughlin@unitedwaystcroix.org.
Photo: United Way St. Croix Valley Campaign Chair Cindy Jahnke and United Way of Washington County-East Campaign Chair Joan Beaver
United Way to Hold Contest to Combat Hunger
As part of its 2012 Campaign, United Way St. Croix Valley is once again holding the United We Can contest to support United Way’s goal of ending hunger in the St. Croix Valley. The contest will challenge organizations and businesses to build sculptures using nonperishable food, paper products and personal care items to compete for prizes in categories such as “Most Creative” and “Best Promotion of Your Business or School.”
The competition will run throughout the month of October. Organizations must register with United Way by October 8, and they have all of October to complete their sculpture. To further encourage community participation, there will be an online vote for the “People’s Choice” award in the beginning of November.
Last year, the contest engaged a variety of organizations that collected more than 1,000 food, paper and personal care items, which were donated to food pantries throughout the area at the close of the contest. “We think the contest is a fun way to remind people that their local food pantry needs more than just food donations. The cost of paper products and toiletries can really strain the budgets of low income families,” United Way St. Croix Valley Executive Director John Coughlin said.
United Way’s 2012 Campaign will run September 17 through November 16. The annual campaign will fund United Way initiatives and approximately sixty local agency programs serving Pierce, Polk and St. Croix County residents.
To sign up for United We Can, visit www.unitedwaystcroix.org/campaigntoolkit.html. For more information on this year’s campaign, contact John Coughlin at 715-377-0203 ext. 102 or coughlin@unitedwaystcroix.org.
Photo: Last year's People's Choice winner Somerset Elementary School
United Way and UW Extension Provide Nutrition Education
UW Extension Nutrition Educators Jessica Sprain (left) and Sarah Johnson are shown at the Five Loaves Food and Clothing Center in New Richmond. They provided pantry users with a sample of salmon patties and veggie salad and taught them how to plan meals using the MyPlate logo from USDA. The lesson and samples were also given at the River Falls Food Pantry. A grant from Allina to United Way St. Croix Valley allowed families at both pantries to take home the groceries needed to complete the meal.
United Way Online Auction Raises $1,591.45 for Basic Needs
This year’s United Way St. Croix Valley online auction fundraiser raised $1,591.45 to support programs that provide basic needs such as food and shelter. The auction ran from June 3 through July 8 and featured items donated by more than 35 businesses and community members.
Fifty items were up for bidding over the course of the first four weeks, and the final week featured a last call for purchases on a first-come first-serve basis at discounted prices. Items for sale included Green Bay Packers memorabilia, amusement park tickets, sports tickets and a variety of gift certificates.
United Way St. Croix Valley extends its thanks to the businesses and individuals who donated to the auction:
In-Kind Donors
- Bob Smith's Sports Club
- Chanhassen Dinner Theatres
- Christine's Jewelry
- Clear Channel Minneapolis
- Country Thunder
- Green Bay Packers
- Green Mountain Coffee Roasters
- Guthrie Theater
- Hudson Bagel and Coffee Co.
- Kate Smith
- Kelley Frame and Fine Art Gallery
- Kinni Creek Lodge and Outfitters
- KSTP-FM
- Kwik Trip of Hudson
- Massage Concepts
- McDonald's of New Richmond
- Milwaukee Admirals
- Milwaukee Brewers
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Milwaukee Summerfest
- Minnesota Transportation Museum
- Nancy Smith
- Panera Bread
- PinkCalyx.com
- Six Flags Great America
- Soy Radiant Candle Co.
- St. Croix Body Zone
- Stampin' Up!
- Subway of Somerset
- The Yoga Studio
- Trollhaugen
- Valleyfair
- Warren Schneider and Linda Robertson
- Wild Mountain and Taylors Falls
- Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- WIXK AM 1590
Financial Donors
- Berhta Gonzalez
- Warren Schneider and Linda Robertson
United Way Distributes Funds
The United Way St. Croix Valley Board of Directors recently approved the distribution of funds raised through the 2011-2012 annual fundraising campaign. “Once again our loyal generous donors made it possible for United Way to continue its support for communities in western Wisconsin,” said Executive Director John Coughlin. “Funding is going to support important programs and services in Pierce, Polk and St. Croix Counties,” he continued.
In addition to providing funds to nonprofit agencies, United Way continues to focus on its three core initiatives: United Way’s Food Resource Center, Success By 6 and Shelter for All. United Way St. Croix Valley Board President Warren Schneider said, “During these still difficult economic times, our top priority has been helping people meet their basic needs for food and shelter.”
United Way St. Croix Valley awarded $624,902 in grants to support close to 70 nonprofit agency programs and services. United Way allocated the funds to create lasting impact in the categories of: Meeting Basic and Emergency Needs; Strengthening Children and Families; and Promoting Health and Independence. An additional $42,688 will go to specific agencies designated by the donors. The total distribution will be $667,590. United Way’s overall benefit to the community this year will be about $822,000 when food supplied by the Food Resource Center is taken into account. The Center has distributed approximately 775,000 pounds of food since opening in 2008. The food is distributed to area food pantries, shelters and senior dining sites.
Agencies meeting Basic and Emergency Needs will receive $206,625. Programs for Children and Families will receive the largest distribution totaling $263,027. United Way returns 50% of the funds donated by school district employees to the district for programs assisting students. Participating districts received over $15,000 in grants this year. Support for programs that improve Health and Independence will total $123,575. Agencies in Burnett and Washburn Counties will receive $31,675 in grants and $13,237 in donor designations from funds contributed by area residents, businesses and the owner and employees of Nexen Group in Webster.
United Way St. Croix Valley will continue to raise funds until it is time to begin the fall appeal. Currently, United Way is running its eBay online auction. See United Way’s website for further information at www.unitedwaystcroix.org.
The mission of United Way St. Croix Valley is to unite communities, focus resources and inspire people to measurably improve lives in western Wisconsin.
| Agency | Donor Designated | Grant | Purpose |
| Meeting Basic and Emergency Needs | |||
| American Red Cross – St. Croix Valley Chapter | $655 | $13,000 | Emergency Food and Shelter |
| American Red Cross – Western Wisconsin Chapter | $221 | $1,250 | Emergency Food and Shelter |
| Assistance & Resource Center | $3,000 | Emergency Assistance | |
| Clear Lake Area Community Center | $1,775 | Food Shelf & Clothing Center | |
| Community Referral Agency – Welcome Home Shelter | $2,500 | Domestic/Sexual Violence Services | |
| Love Baskets – Roberts | $33 | $1,500 | Emergency Assistance |
| Operation HELP | $119 | $34,000 | Emergency Assistance |
| Our Neighbor’s Place | $43 | $1,950 | Hotel Vouchers |
| St. Croix Co. Public Health | $255 | $850 | Emergency Medical Care |
| St. Croix Valley Habitat for Humanity | $239 | $5,400 | Eco Village Kitchen |
| St. Croix Valley Sexual Assault Response Team | $15,000 | Sexual Assault Services | |
| The Salvation Army – Emergency Assistance | $176 | $18,000 | Emergency Assistance |
| The Salvation Army – Grace Place Shelters | $5,762 | $25,000 | Emergency Shelter |
| Turningpoint for Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence | $328 | $30,000 | Domestic/Sexual Violence Services |
| United Way Food Resource Center | $31,400 | Food and Operations | |
| West CAP | $44 | $22,000 | Emergency Assistance |
| Sub-total | $7,875 | $206,625 | |
| Strengthening Children and Families | |||
| Amery School District | $1,196 | Angel Fund | |
| Anu Family Services | $8,500 | Special Foster Care | |
| Baldwin-Woodville Schools – Viking Middle | $115 | $1,408 | ASCEND Youth Program |
| Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Wisconsin | $565 | $16,700 | Youth Mentoring |
| Boy Scouts of America – Northern Star Council | $775 | $13,000 | Youth Programs |
| CESA 11 Head Start | $1,425 | First Books | |
| FamilyMeans | $204 | $65,000 | Mental Health/Credit Counseling |
| Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley | $1,862 | $52,300 | Parent Education and Support |
| Girl Scout Council of MN and WI River Valleys | $375 | $13,000 | Youth Programs |
| Hudson Elementary Schools – Angel Fund | $382 | $3,000 | Angel Emergency Fund |
| Hudson High School – Peer Helpers | $85 | $6,000 | Peer Mediation |
| New Richmond Area Centre | $309 | $10,000 | Youth and Family Programs |
| New Richmond Starr Elementary – F.R.E.E. Books | $21 | $651 | Reading Program |
| New Richmond High School – SPARK | $651 | Peer Tutoring | |
| New Richmond High School – Student to Student | $651 | Peer Mediation | |
| Pierce County Public Health | $27 | $1,900 | Parent Education and Support |
| Positive Alternatives | $6,200 | Teen Crisis Counseling | |
| Restorative Justice of Northwest Wisconsin | $1,000 | Victim Impact Panels | |
| River Falls School District | $197 | $1,672 | STEP Program |
| School District of Somerset | $444 | Guardian Spartan Network | |
| S. O. S. for Youth | $9,850 | Teen Prevention Theater | |
| St. Croix Central Schools | $1,114 | Food for Kids Backpacks | |
| St. Croix County Public Health | $250 | Childbirth Classes | |
| St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice Program | $197 | $5,375 | Victim Impact Panels |
| St. Croix Valley YMCA | $167 | $10,000 | Youth and Family Programs |
| United Way Success By 6 | $12,890 | Program Implementation | |
| Youth Action Hudson | $7,850 | Youth Programs | |
| Youth Service Bureau | $44 | $11,000 | Youth Counseling |
| Sub-total | $5,325 | $263,027 | |
| Promoting Health and Independence | |||
| Adoray | $369 | $17,150 | Hospice Care |
| Aging and Handicapped Transportation | $72 | $2,750 | Vehicle Upgrade and Repair |
| Amery Area Senior Center | $18 | $1,000 | Senior Center Programs |
| Amery Regional Medical Center | $500 | Obesity Education | |
| Avanti Therapeutic Projects | $18 | $4,175 | Camp Avanti |
| Bridge for Youth with Disabilities | $944 | $1,000 | Disabled Recreation |
| Center for Independent Living for W. WI | $43 | $11,350 | Disability and Transportation Services |
| Courage Center – Courage St. Croix | $22 | $26,250 | Disability Services |
| Endeavors Adult Developmental Center | $22 | $6,000 | Disability Services |
| Free Clinic of Pierce and St. Croix Counties | $1,053 | $13,000 | Clinic Support |
| Have A Heart | $11,000 | Respite Program | |
| Interfaith Caregivers of Polk County | $326 | $8,000 | Senior Volunteer Program |
| Moms and Dads Against Meth – Butterfly House | $500 | Treatment Shelter | |
| New Richmond Community Education – ADDRP | $1,500 | Disabled Recreation | |
| Senior Center Board Coalition of St. Croix Co. | $11,000 | Senior Center Programs | |
| St. Croix Co. ADRC – Day Away Clubs | $3,000 | Caregiver Support | |
| St. Croix Co. ADRC – Interfaith Volunteers | $1,600 | Senior Volunteer Program | |
| St. Croix Valley Disability Coalition | $3,800 | Disability Services | |
| Sub-total | $2,887 | $123,575 | |
| Other | |||
| Northern Wisconsin Campaign | $13,237 | $31,675 | |
| Designated to Other United Ways | $515 | ||
| Designated to Unaffiliated Agencies | $12,849 | ||
| Total | |||
| Grand Total | $42,688 | $624,902 | = $667,590 |
United Way to Hold Online Auction Fundraiser
United Way St. Croix Valley will be running its third annual online auction throughout the month of June. All proceeds generated by this year’s auction will be used to support programs that provide basic needs like food and shelter in St. Croix, Pierce and Polk Counties.
Each week from June 3 to June 30, United Way will post new donated items and services on eBay. This year some of the items that will be offered include two 4-day passes to Country Thunder featuring Jason Aldean, Toby Keith and Blake Shelton; $100 gas gift cards; $300 worth of stamping and crafting supplies; and a variety of sports tickets and memorabilia from teams including the Green Bay Packers, Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee Brewers and Minnesota Twins.
You may visit United Way’s eBay page directly at myworld.ebay.com/unitedwaystcroixvalley to see what is currently for sale or visit www.unitedwaystcroix.org and click the link on the homepage.
United Way’s online auctions have raised approximately $4,800 in the past two years. United Way hopes this year’s auction will raise even more to benefit St. Croix, Pierce and Polk Counties.
For more information on the online auction, contact Kate Smith.
United Way to Pack Food With Feed My Starving Children
United Way St. Croix Valley will be participating in Feed My Starving Children's June 23 food packing event at the Community Commons in New Richmond. United Way is looking to fill a team of 20 to pack food from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Those interested in participating need to sign up at the Feed My Starving Children website, where they will be able to fundraise the $52 needed from each participant to cover part of the cost of the food, as required by Feed My Starving Children. The food will be distributed by Feed My Starving Children to more than 70 countries around the world. For more information, contact John Coughlin.
3M Provides Grant to United Way on Behalf of 3M Volunteer Warren Schneider
The 3M Foundation has donated $250 to United Way St. Croix Valley in recognition of Warren Schneider's commitment to the community.
Schneider has far exceeded the 25 hours 3M requires for a donation. As a United Way St. Croix Valley volunteer, he has worked extensively as 2011 Campaign Co-Chair with his wife Linda Robertson.
"3M employees and retirees generally give their time and skills to help others," said Robin Torgerson, vice-president, 3M Community Affairs. "We are pleased to recognize their commitment to their communities."
As part of the 3M Volunteer Match, the 3M Foundation will donate $250 to eligible non-profit organizations for which a 3M employee volunteers 20 hours or a 3M retiree volunteers 25 hours or more per calendar year. For more information on this program, please contact 3M Community Affairs at 651-733-0144.
3M Community Giving consists of product donations and cash grants by 3M and the 3M Foundation and is bolstered by employee and retiree volunteerism. In 2011, over $60 million was awarded to education and charitable organizations. Since 2000, Volunteer Matches totaling over $4 million have gone to over 2,600 schools or non-profit organizations in 50 states plus the District of Columbia. For more information on 3M Community Giving, visit www.3Mgiving.com.
PressEnter! Gives to United Way Through Facebook Fundraiser
United Way St. Croix Valley and PressEnter! worked together on a Facebook fundraiser for United Way all during the month of March. For each new Facebook “like” United Way received, PressEnter! donated one dollar. Pictured are John Coughlin of United Way and Deena Reisman of PressEnter! with the check for $106. United Way is thankful to everyone who helped promote the fundraiser and to PressEnter! for their generosity.
PressEnter! is a locally-owned computer service provider offering computer repairs, business IT services, Internet access and web design. For more information visit their website at www.pressenter.net.
United Way Agencies to Host Take Back the Night Event
United Way St. Croix Valley supported agencies Turningpoint and St. Croix Valley SART will host Take Back the Night to raise awareness about sexual violence Thursday, April 26 at 6 pm at St. Bridget's in River Falls. The event will include a march, rally and candlelight vigil.
For more information about Take Back the Night contact 715-425-6751. For more information about Turningpoint, visit http://www.turningpoint-wi.org. For more information about St. Croix Valley SART visit http://www.stcroixvalleysart.org.
United Way and FamilyWize Partnership a Success
Pictured left to right: Carol Sarafin, United Way St. Croix Valley Donor Services Associate and John Coughlin, United Way St. Croix Valley Executive Director
Thousands of prescriptions go unfilled simply because they are too expensive to fill. But free FamilyWize prescription discount cards, provided by United Way St. Croix Valley, address this problem. Last year, this partnership saved residents $18,390.28 by cutting the cost of medicines by an average of 35 percent.
United Way St. Croix Valley is part of a nationwide grassroots effort in conjunction with FamilyWize Community Service Partnership. The free cards are accepted at 95 percent of pharmacies nationwide, including all major chains. Using a card to save on prescriptions doesn’t require enrollment or personal information, so they’re ready to use the minute you receive one, according to Dan Barnes, co-chair of FamilyWize.
“This helps people who have no insurance the most, but it can also help people with insurance if it doesn’t cover their medicine,” said Barnes. “It’s easy, like using a coupon. Just take it to your local pharmacist, and they’ll know exactly what to do to automatically apply all the savings available to you.”
An estimated 16 percent of Americans didn’t fill at least one prescription in 2010, and another 13 percent reported taking expired drugs, skipping a dose (12 percent) or splitting pills without approval from their doctor or pharmacist (8 percent). The alarming statistics are from the 2010 Health Tracking Household Survey, which was funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. In most cases, cost was the reason cited.
FamilyWize was the first organization to offer prescription discount cards for free to everyone, locally and nationwide, struggling with the high cost of medicine. Since its founding in 2005, the organization has worked with almost 1,000 local United Ways across the country to help more than 3.4 million people save over $300 million on their prescriptions.
To get your FamilyWize discount card, call Carol Sarafin at 715-377-0203 ext. 101 or visit http://www.unitedwaystcroix.org/familywize.html to print a card you can use immediately as well as download a list of participating local pharmacies.
2011 Annual Report Available
United Way St. Croix Valley's 2011 Annual Report is now available for viewing online. Please visit our Annual Report page to download the report. Adobe Reader is required.
RESCO Contributes to United Way
RESCO of Hudson, Wisconsin has recently completed their United Way Campaign for 2011–2012 and will be contributing over $4,500.00 to United Way St. Croix Valley. According to Karen Homeier, VP Finance, “Contributing to the United Way is a great way for our employees to give back something to this community; this is still a hard economy but there is so much we can be thankful for and this is a small way we can give to those less fortunate than ourselves.” Read the full press release from RESCO.
Front: Karen Homeier, VP Finance presents John Coughlin, Executive Director of United Way St. Croix Valley with a “big” check for $4,534 representing the employees' contributions to the 2011–2012 United Way campaign.
Back row, from left to right: Jeremy King, Todd Paulson, Tim Stand, Ryan Hilke, John Larrabee, John Schreifer, Kyle Strash and Teena Gonsior.
