TOUCH a LIFE. Sheboygan & Plymouth Area United Way Annual Report 2010
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REACH OUT AND TOUCH A LIFE. Sheboygan & Plymouth Area United Way Annual Report 2010 Sheboygan & Plymouth Area United Way Dear United Way Supporters, Living in Sheboygan County we are reminded every day of the blessings we have for our families and ourselves by the natural beauty of our countryside, leadership that is willing to assume the responsibility of improving our community and the generosity of Sheboygan County residents. In 2010 we saw that generosity unfold with a successful campaign led by Jim and Jan Sartori, with the assistance of their campaign cabinet. In 2010 the United Way campaign raised $2,304,000 the largest and most successful fundraising effort in the almost 80 year history of this organization. This was an incredible accomplishment in a difficult economic environment. People caring about others, putting community and the needs of individuals less fortunate above our own personal needs was the strength of the 2010 campaign. Jim and Jan are inspiring individuals that care deeply about our community, realizing that happiness is found in giving more than in receiving and understanding that gratitude is the parent of all virtues. They were able to build a first rate team on their campaign cabinet and fan out across our community, extending the reach of the campaign, bringing the community closer together by their hard work. Though we are blessed to live in this wonderful community, we are reminded by the demands on our affiliated agencies’ programs funded by United Way and by the difficulties that many individuals and families still face in our struggling economy. Unemployment has begun to come down in our community, but many individuals are still looking for work and many of the jobs that are available do not pay as much as the ones that were lost during the “great recession”. United Way affiliated agencies and funded programs served 59,555 clients in 2010. There were large increases in the number of families asking for help and in the demand for services that assist the unemployed. We are appreciative of the efforts that our affiliated agencies are making to serve the expanding needs of our community and how volunteers have stepped forward to help shoulder the load in these difficult times. Last year 4,353 volunteers in our affiliated agencies offered over 179,000 hours of service to help individuals in need. What a blessing that we have so many people across our communities that are committed to helping others! Our Board of Directors and our Planning & Allocations Committee have also been hard at work expanding our efforts to assure that we are providing innovative services that our community wants and needs. We have continued our efforts to expand initiatives that engage our affiliated agencies and other community partners in providing essential services to our community. The Food for Tomorrow/Tri-County Food Initiative is an excellent example of our efforts to reach out to more individuals in need. Because of our changing economic climate more individuals and families have found that they need to rely on food pantries to help supplement their weekly and monthly food purchases. Food pantries across our area including Fond du Lac and Manitowoc counties have seen dramatic increases in the number of individuals coming to their facilities asking for food, relying on them to assist them in supplementing their family’s diet. The focus of the Food for Tomorrow initiative is to increase the capacity of food pantries in Sheboygan, Fond du Lac and Manitowoc counties to deliver healthy and locally grown food to low income individuals and families. We are fortunate that we have been able to partner with our fellow United Way organizations in Fond du Lac and Manitowoc counties. The problem of hunger knows no political boundary and can visit many homes that were self-sustaining in the past. We have also funded a new program called Nourish, managed by Sheboygan County Interfaith Organization, which is connecting local farmers with the needs of our local low income community. We are truly blessed to have so many bountiful farms with rich earth that can provide healthy, locally grown products that can be the cornerstone for healthier diets for many families across Sheboygan County. We have worked hard in 2010 to be good stewards of the trust you have placed in our organization. By working together for the common good, we can make our community a better place to live. Thank you for Living United. Sincerely yours, Jon Scott William L. Weissert, CFRE President of the Board of Directors Executive Director 2 2010 In Review2010 Mission To provide leadership in building a stronger and healthier Sheboygan County, by uniting resources and human needs to empower individuals to improve their lives. Vision To create a measurably better life for the people of Sheboygan County. 3 Sheboygan & Plymouth Area United Way 2010 Accomplishments This has been another year of positive growth and trailblazing new partnerships in Sheboygan County for the Sheboygan & Plymouth Area United Way. In spite of the lingering effects of unemployment and the economic downturn in the County, the United Way has accomplished many highlights during 2010 and has made a difference in the lives of the unemployed, the underemployed and individuals and families in need. The 2010 United Way Board of Directors was led by both program coordinators, have reached thousands President Jon Scott; twenty additional members of school age children through the program. In 2010 United Way serve on the Board. The Brad Barton presentation, “The Magic of Building programs and affiliated 2010 Campaign chairs Jim and Jan Sartori, and their Assets in Youth”, was scheduled for January 12, agencies served over Campaign Cabinet of 46 committed volunteers set a 2011 presentations in area schools throughout campaign goal of $2.25 million and came in at Sheboygan County in partnership with LTC and $2.304 million in spite of a difficult economic SASD. 59,000 individuals situation in Sheboygan County. This was the most that live in money ever raised by United Way in Sheboygan Best Buy has renewed sponsorship for the Healthy County and the size of the Campaign Cabinet was Communities Healthy Youth initiative as has the Van every ZIP code the largest ever. An evening campaign celebration Horn Automotive Group, Chuck Van Horn and Teresa was held in January 2011 hosted by Jim & Jan Van Horn. in Sheboygan County. Sartori at the Plymouth Center. A new Strategic Planning Committee was formed in January 2010 chaired by Jan Adelman to review and plan new goals for the next three years for SPAUW. United Way Day at the PGA was organized by SPAUW in partnership with Kohler Co. and the 92nd PGA P & A allocated $1,654,085 in funds in 2010 to 23 Championship during August 2010 at Whistling agencies, funding 60 programs and 5 impact Straits. Nine Wisconsin United Ways participated in initiatives. Joann Wieland, P&A director, Tony this historic event and over 200 youth participated in Klockow, P&A Chair and their the Youth Day activities from the area. committee logged many hours of agency visits and in-office meetings on their way to Campaign Kickoff making allocation decisions that reflect “basic human needs” in Sheboygan County. The 2010 Campaign Kick-off Breakfast was held at 2-1-1, a national free and the Aviation Heritage Center at the Sheboygan County confidential non-emergency Airport and featured a breakfast buffet catered by community information and Caffe Kita with entertainment by the SECAP singers referral number available from Sargento and the Healthy Communities Healthy 24/7, continues to serve Youth Initiative Asset Champion awards. Sheboygan County through services contracted with Fox Our very first Community Impact Initiative, Healthy Cities United Way by Communities, Healthy Youth, is alive and well in Sheboygan & Plymouth United Way Day at the PGA Sheboygan County continuing the Asset of the Month Area United Way. Many and “I Have Assets” campaigns in the County community presentations schools. Mike Burns, Sheboygan County YMCA, and have been made by United Way staff educating the Erik Wagner, Family Resource Center, community on the 2-1-1 services. Martin Luther King Jr. Day continued with Johnson Bank employees doing volunteer service at the St. Ten successful United Way events were held during Vincent de Paul in Plymouth and at the Salvation 2010-11 including highly successful Dine Out for Army Day Care Center. United Way fund raiser in December 2010. United Way continued to play a major community role The Awards Banquet for the 2009 Campaign was as a convener of community partnerships as the held in April 2010 at Amore in Plymouth with over Sheboygan County economy continued to struggle to 150 area companies and organizations receiving recover from the economic downturn which began in campaign participation awards. Adam Payne was fall of 2008. the recipient of the George Friedley Energizer Award and Family Service Association received the “We Have Assets” Outstanding United Way Agency award. tri-county Food Clearinghouse and United Way sponsored a team in the Sheboygan the Community Clinic. Rotary’s fund raiser “Rotary Survey Says” captained by Nancy Jusky. We were smarter than the fifth The Lakeshore Community Clinic graders but we did not win the competition! has come closer to reality with plans to open in spring of 2011. The Family Caregiver’s Coalition was formed in Sheboygan County with the assistance of SPAUW The Sheboygan Food Bank has and we now serve on the Steering Committee of the been reorganized through the FCC. efforts of As One, United Way, Salvation Army and SCIO and Sheboygan & Plymouth Area United Way was one of will play a major role in the seven nominees for 2010 Non-Profit of the Year in delivery of food and supplies to the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce Award area food pantries in Sheboygan Gala held in February 2011 at Blue Harbor.