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?