With Open Arms

Fantastic campaigns, led by dedicated Employee Campaign Managers are in full swing all across Dane County! The goal? Raise $18.1M to support local non-profit agencies like Community Action Collation, Porchlight, Schools of Hope and the hundreds of other initiatives supported by the United Way's Agenda for Change!

Being a Loaned Executive (LE) has given me the opportunity to get to know some of the most dedicated, quality, caring individuals in the community.  Over the past 3 weeks, I've been able to spend time with campaign teams and hundreds of employees from some of Dane County's largest employers including; American Family, M3 Insurance, WPS and John Deere Financial.  In addition to other local financial and insurance companies; Johnson Bank, Capitol One, Wisconsin Mutual Insurance, Hausmann-Johnson Insurance and Ansay and Associates.  The one thing these companies have in common, large or small, is a rich culture of giving back to the community.  It's amazing, really, to meet so many dedicated individuals. People that are themselves living pay check to pay check, yet they donate time and dollars to help a greater cause.

John Deere Financial Employee Campaign Managers
Karl Zobel and Ryan Schulz

John Deere's United Way Rally Room

During the course of the campaign the LE's have the opportunity to listen to community voices speakers from local non-profits.  They share stories about real people that have benefited from the generosity of others.  I may have mentioned a prison simulation the LE's did as part of our training.  The simulation exposed challenges ex-offenders face when trying to reintegrate back into the community.  During the simulation, I met Joseph Frey, released in July after serving 20 years of a 120 year sentence for a crime in which he did not commit.  The Wisconsin Innocence Project proved his innocence with the help of new DNA evidence. Imagine not being out in the community for 20 years...how much things have changed; cell phones, computers, new roads, job skills required to gain any level of employment, access to medical treatment.  

With Open Arms

This week, I had the opportunity to hear Linda Ketcuhum speak at one of the John Deere Financial rallies. Linda is from Madison Area Urban Ministry, one of United Ways non-profits that helped Joseph Frey reintegrate, helping him with the basics until he could get back on his feet.  Linda tells a great story about Joseph's years of incarceration and how his family ties faded over 20 years.  Recently, she invited Joseph to accompany her on a speaking engagement to tell his story first-hand.  After his story, a young man in the audience said, "Joseph, you don't know this and you don't know me but I am your nephew."  A coincidence that is too fantastic to believe.  Really, what are the chances that Joseph would have accompanied the speaker, to an organization in which his nephew worked and attended that particular rally.

Later that night, Joseph received an email from his nephew that simply stated, "With open arms." 



Fellow LE, Lisa Wendorff, heads out to a rally!



Blog Ice Breaker--Why do you give to United Way?

Rallies, special events, campaign meetings it's all a blur...There's so much excitement and support for the campaign it's a great feeling to be part of a community effort with everyone working toward the same goal, $18.1M.  

So, I was at a rally the other day and the campaign manager asked her team, "Why do you give?"  And in the typical round robin fashion, the answers started...

• "Because I love my community."
• "There are so many people in need and the United Way does a great job getting resources to where they are most needed."
• "Because the efforts are research-based and measured."
• "Because United Way and Hospice helped my family when my mother was dying."

Since I was a guest at the rally, my answer came last.  And, I really had to-do some soul searching before my turn came around. So why do I give and volunteer?  

Because I can.  

Living and working in Dane County-I've enjoyed a great life!  Married for 34 years, 2 awesome kids, career at a great company, I'm close to my family and have some of the best friends in the world.  My kids have never gone to bed hungry, went to school without proper school supplies and always had a place to call home, bring their friends and tackle homework.   

The Fam
(Gary "Zib", Me, Katie, Robby)

Currently, 2,100 Dane County at-risk families are maintaining stability due to United Way's housing strategies. United Way's Housing First places these families into permanent housing quickly, then provides targeted services to address issues like budget coaching. Housing first has an 80% success rate keeping families how have been homeless settled in permanent housing.

So, I give and volunteer because I can and because I would hope that if I were ever in need that someone in the community would Take Action and help change my life.

Are You With Us?

KICK OFF!  (Literally)
United LIVE! Days of Caring and the 2013 Campaign

Its go time!  Campaign season is in full swing and the Loaned Executives (LE's) are out in force throughout Dane County.  Days of Caring kick-off celebration, UNITED LIVE held on the most beautiful day of the summer at the Alliant Energy Center was full of good food, games and local entertainment.  What a perfect way to start the campaign season!  Support from our American Family family was incredible.  Jack, Mary Schmoeger, Mary Vertacic, Carol Cichocki, Tom Lea, Kendra Whipple, Allison Cooley all showing up to support United Way.   The community speaks so highly of American Family and I humbly thank those of you that continue to encourage and support Josh and me.

Support from the top!
Thanks to Jack and the great team from AmFam for spending the day with us!

What would a campaign be without a little craziness?  Days of Caring saw the LE's head out to join over 3,500 volunteers from companies and organizations making a difference by giving their time to improve our community.  Projects were completed at different agencies throughout Dane County to advance our community's Agenda for Change!

I connected with over 60 volunteers at two locations; Oakwood Village Retirement Community on Madison's west side, who's focus is to help older adults lead lives of growth, happiness, health and security and Pheasant Branch Conservancy, a natural area located on the north side of Middleton.  If you've never been there, it's beautiful with its open water, springs, prairies and wooded hills.

Oakwood Village 

Pheasant Branch Conservancy

Welcome to Pheasant Branch Conservancy

Campaigns Get Going
Meetings with our assigned companies and the dedicated campaign managers are in full swing, as well! Employee Campaign Managers (ECM's) from all corners of Dane County are hard at work organizing company events supporting the campaign and reinforcing the important work made possible through the generosity of all of use who will make United Way pledges.

At American Family, the Rosenberry Society, our next generation of philanthropic leaders held a week long celebration recruiting young professionals motivated to effect big change in the community.  Even some of us 'elderberries' attended the networking event to close out the week and recognize the efforts of the AmFam Rosenberry members. 

Jack thanks the dedicated Rosenberry supporters of United Way of Dane County, young professionals who share our commitment to our community.

Rosenberry membership:

• Under age 30, minimum annual gift of $250*
• Age 30 to 40, minimum annual gift of $500*

There is a decrease in homelessness and more affordable housing is available.

Over 1,200 children in Dane County slept in homeless shelters this year.  Those that live in shelters have only a 37% chance of becoming independent.  Statistics that became reality for 75 participants in the Poverty Simulation this week at American Family.

What is a poverty simulation?  It's a creative, intensive way to inspire and teach the community how important it is to address poverty.  Each participant is given an identity and a family.  15 minute time slots represent a week living in poverty. Participants need to decide how they will spend their time and money, having to make the tough decisions to spend $800 on renting an apartment or feeding their families.  Sending kids to school hungry and not being able to pay the utilities. Worse yet, having to visit Quick Cash to get money to bail their kids out of jail.

During our Poverty Simulation debrief comments that stuck with me...
"I work every day and I'm single, I still live paycheck to paycheck. Any little bump in the road could find me in the same situation."

"My identity was a 12 year old child living with my grandmother.  I got to see poverty from a child's perspective and was especially moved when I had to decide whether or not to go to school or walk to the utility company to pay to keep our lights on for another month."

Poverty Simulation at AmFam

United Way's Housing First initiative will reduce the number of children in shelters by 50%. With the support of Housing First real families are getting the financial and budgeting coaching and help they need to secure stable housing and a place they can call home.  

If you already give to United Way, this is the kind of impact your generous donations have already made on the community.  If you're considering donating for the first time this year you will be joining thousands of others in Dane County making a personal choice to Take Action and Change Lives!  Are you with us?