United Way St. Croix Valley Fundraising Campaign.

Campaign Update - Volume 1.

 Campaign Update - Volume 2

Featured in Volume 2 - Nuclear Management Corporation, LLC and Xcel Energy and along with matching funds from Xcel Energy Foundation target hunger.

First National Bank of Hudson, Resco Print Graphics, School District of New Richmond and Hudson Hospital/Hudson Physicians wrap up awesome campaigns. SUPERVALU and United Way help local food pantries.

In Northern Wisconsin, Nexen employees conclude another successful campaign for Washburn & Burnett county agencies.                                  

For Immediate Release Contact: John Coughlin or Linda Lia  12/19/2006

RPG Contributes to United Way

Through payroll deduction and an active campaign to support the United Way St. Croix Valley, RPG contributed over $3,000 dollars during their 2006 drive. Heading the RPG campaign efforts this year was Controller, Karen Homeier.

According to Homeier, “It’s amazing how willing the employees were to consider a contribution to the local United Way. Over 80% of our employees contributed to the cause this year. With help from John Coughlin, the head of the United Way here in the St. Croix Valley, putting together a visible campaign within our building was easy. John helped RPG with brochures, posters and information that clearly showed the need and how our money will help the local organizations right in our area. Then all we had to do was ask our team here to participate.”

United Way St. Croix Valley provides financial assistance to more than 80 organizations, Many Hudson area organizations benefit from the campaign including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Hudson High School Peer Helpers, YMCA and the Hudson Senior Center. Each United Way is an independent organization serving a defined geographic area. United Way St. Croix Valley serves all of St. Croix County and most of Pierce County.

John Knutson, owner and General Manager at RPG says, “If more companies in Hudson and in the St. Croix Valley knew how easy payroll deduction was to implement, I believe the United Way could help far more people. Over 80% of the money taken in by the United Way is from payroll deduction. A typical employee may choose to make a one-time contribution of $10 or so, whereas a payroll deduction commitment from an employee might be $3.00 per paycheck. If, like many companies, the employee is paid every other week for 26 pay periods during the year, the total contribution from that same employee would total $78.00. And then when you multiply that scenario by some manufacturing companies that have 25 to 50 or even 100 employees…you have a very sizable contribution for the United Way.”

According to United Way Director, John Coughlin, “RPG’s contribution of $3,162.21 this year represents an average contribution per employee of over $180.00, which is very impressive and among the highest in the region. John Knutson, Karen Homeier and the entire team of employees at RPG should be very proud. On behalf of the agencies, organizations and people in need that will be helped by their collective generous contributions, I thank them for their efforts.”

For more information on United Way St. Croix Valley, contact John Coughlin at 715-377-0203 or visit their website at www.unitedwaystcroix.org. For information on RPG, contact John Knutson at 715-386-7300, or visit their website at www.rpgsolutions.com .

For Immediate Release Contact: John Coughlin or Linda Lia

November 2006

Local United Way Leaders Fight Hunger

The Food Resource Collaborative of St. Croix County recently recognized John Coughlin of United Way St. Croix Valley and James Dahl of SUPERVALU, for their role in battling hunger in the St. Croix Valley. Valerie Boughton and Lindsay Morgan of SUPERVALU were also recognized.

The individuals were presented with the Hometown Hunger Hero Award in recognition of their efforts to relieve hunger and promote access to nutritious foods, resources, and education for all St. Croix County residents.

“Almost one-quarter of Wisconsin pantry users indicate that someone in their household has skipped meals in the past year because there was not enough food. This includes four percent of households in which a child skipped meals,” Martha Mabis, UW Extension Nutrition Educator and co-chair of the Food Resource Collaborative, said.

United Way’s relationship with SUPERVALU began in December 2005. United Way is a primary supporter of the Grace Place Shelter in Somerset.

“Grace Place was putting together holiday baskets for current and former residents of the shelter, as well as other needy families in the community. They were short some items and e-mailed the list to me,” John Coughlin, Executive Director of United Way St. Croix Valley, said.

Coughlin sent the list to the United Way board, including current president Dahl. Dahl circulated the list around SUPERVALU, and SUPERVALU decided to help. A 50-foot semi trailer full of food and household products arrived just in time to fill out the needs for the holiday boxes.

SUPERVALU and United Way were so pleased with the results that SUPERVALU offered to provide quarterly shipments. These shipments have benefited food pantries, Community Outreach Meals for Everyone, senior dining sites, and the county’s home-delivery meal program.

United Way is looking into the possibility of constructing or purchasing a building in order to expand the support for these important hunger-prevention programs.

The next food distribution is scheduled for the end of January 2007.

Photo credit: Ruth Lehmann (left), Co-Chair of the Food Resource Collaborative, presents John Coughlin (center) and James Dahl (right) with Hometown Hunger Hero Awards

United Way Helps Food Pantries but Worries about Campaign Goal

United Way St. Croix Valley has reached the 50 percent mark in the annual fundraising campaign. However, the organization is worried about meeting growing needs in the community.

A primary measure of the economic state of our community is in the level of use for food shelves and shelters. Throughout the end of the summer and into fall, more people sought refuge at Grace Place than the shelter could hold. Similarly, the most recent donation of food from SUPERVALU to United Way St. Croix Valley came at a good time. Many of the area food shelves were running low on supplies. The donated food was distributed to local pantries.

“There has been an increased demand for food and shelter, which shows the current conditions in our community,” United Way Executive Director John Coughlin said. “Our partnership with SUPERVALU will mean that United Way can continue to expand the food distribution network in Pierce and St. Croix counties.”

There are two other indicators of need in our communities. WestCAP, which provides emergency rent and mortgage assistance, ran out of funds for St. Croix County due to increased demand. United Way St. Croix Valley made a $6,300 special grant to WestCAP in addition to the $25,000 already provided. United Way also made a special $4,000 grant to the St. Croix Valley Disability Coalition Transportation Program.

“United Way has expended more money already this season, and needs to continue to grow. The campaign must not fall short,” Linda Lia, United Way Development and Marketing Manager, said. “The residential campaign is down $20,000 so far this year. We’re concerned because even though much of our campaign comes through payroll deduction, we really count on people responding to the mailing we send them at home,” she continued.

United Way Board President James Dahl added, “This is the time of year we often worry about reaching our campaign goal, but we are confident the good people of Pierce and St. Croix counties will help their neighbors as they always have.”

United Way plans another mailing to prior residential donors in hopes of closing the funding gap. United Way St. Croix Valley set a campaign goal of $1,175,000 to fund the more than 80 local human services programs it supports. For more information, visit the website at www.unitedwaystcroix.org

Randy Hanson Hudson Star-Observer
Published Friday, October 06, 2006

United Way St. Croix Valley has launched its 2006 fund-raising campaign.

The goal this year is to collect $1,175,000 to help fund some 80 human services agencies and programs in St. Croix and Pierce counties.

This is the first campaign encompassing both counties. It follows the merger last July of the United Way of St. Croix County and the United Way of River Falls. J ohn Coughlin, executive director of the expanded organization, said last year’s St. Croix County goal of $1 million was added to the River Falls area’s $175,000 goal to come up with the goal for the new United Way St. Croix Valley.

“We feel optimistic that we’re going to do well down in Pierce County based on what’s happened here,” Coughlin said.

The United Way of St. Croix County’s annual fund-raising goal more than doubled in the six years since 1999 when it was formed by the merger of the former Hudson Area United Way and the Greater St. Croix County United Way.

According to Coughlin, giving increased in Hudson when there was a professional staff to provide continuity and support. He expects the same to happen in Pierce County.

The 2006 campaign in the Hudson area was launched Sept. 20 at a Business Spotlight event at Hudson Golf Club hosted by the Hudson Area Chamber of Commerce.

Many local companies are currently signing up employees to make automatic payroll donations to the United Way. About 85 percent of the money the local United Way receives comes through payroll deductions, Coughlin said.

Past donors have received a letter inviting them to give again and a bulk mailing is going out this week to every residence in St. Croix and Pierce counties.

Longtime United Way contributors Curt and Sandy Larson are chairpersons of the fund drive in the Hudson area.

“We believe in the programs that it sponsors and the help that it’s given to people,” said Sandy Larson, a retired child therapist and community volunteer.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is one of the programs funded by the United Way that Sandy would turn to for help with at-risk children when she was working as a therapist.

She now does volunteer work with Hudson Hospital’s Programs for Change (the hospital’s chemical dependency treatment program).

Curt Larson is a retired new product development engineer for 3M Co. He started a parenting support group 16 years ago, and still facilitates the weekly meetings. The group, Parents Who Care, meets at 6:30 p.m. Mondays at Bethel Lutheran Church, 920 Third St. Free child care is provided.

Curt also helps build Habitat for Humanity houses with the 3M Cares group.

The Larsons said they have been United Way contributors since shortly after moving to Hudson 33 years ago when Curt began his career with 3M. They raised three daughters here.

Erin is married and living in Ann Arbor, Mich. Amanda resides in Colorado Springs, Colo., and is engaged to be married. Meredith is a senior at Concordia College, Moorhead, Minn.

Coughlin said the need for United Way funding by the human service agencies that serve the community is as great as ever.

Grace Place, the homeless shelter in Somerset that the United Way supports, has been full for the entire year. The former St. Anne Convent can accommodate 24 homeless people, who are limited to stays of 45 days. The residents receive intensive help in finding a job while they are at the shelter.

When gasoline was $3 a gallon last summer, lower-income people had less money to spend on groceries and relied more heavily on area food pantries. They also turned to organizations such as the Salvation Army and Operation HELP in greater numbers for help in paying their rent and utility bills.

“We’ve heard from the agencies that provide for basic needs that when gas prices were higher it really impacted the lower income people that they serve,” Coughlin said.

He is looking forward to continuing a relationship with Super Valu Inc., which has resulted in the delivery of several semi truckloads of groceries and household products to area food shelves.

Hudson’s Trinity Lutheran Church is considering putting up a building at its Trinity Family Center, 614 Badlands Road, that would serve as a distribution center for groceries bound for food pantries, according to Coughlin.

The United Way would like to help the church equip the facility with a walk-in cooler so it can store perishables like meat and dairy products. Coughlin said having a cooler also would allow the United Way to expand its free venison program.

“A gift to United Way positively impacts your community in so many ways,” says Jim Dahl, chairman of the United Way St. Croix Valley board of directors. “Not only are you meeting basic needs like emergency response and shelter for the homeless, you are strengthening children and families through programs like Success By 6, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and counseling programs. Your gift also promotes health and self-sufficiency by providing transportation, rehabilitation and independence-fostering initiatives.”

The Larsons encourage all Hudson-area residents to give in this year’s campaign. Interested persons can call the United Way at (715) 377-0203 or visit its Web site at www.unitedwaystcroix.org.

United Way Kicks Off Fundraising Campaign

For Immediate Release: Contact: Linda Lia    August 28, 2006

“Thank you again for expressing your caring and concern in such a giving way.”

- Donna Alexander, CEO, United Way of South Mississippi

 Western Wisconsin’s Gift to Hurricane Katrina Recovery Efforts

It has been one year since Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast states. United Way St. Croix Valley would like to thank the people of Western Wisconsin for the caring and generosity that they showed last fall and report on the impact of local donations.  Since the storm ravaged not only homes and businesses, but many regional nonprofits serving those in need, United Way St. Croix Valley chose to follow-up the initial drive for food, emergency supplies and household goods with financial support that would help agencies move from meeting immediate needs to long-term recovery.

 United Way’s Board decided to focus our attention on agencies serving people in the Gulfport, Mississippi area and to specifically target several hard-struck nonprofits meeting the needs of local children. We contacted the United Way in Gulfport and Donna Alexander, Executive Director of United Way of Southern Mississippi, said, “As you can imagine, the children are vulnerable to the impact of stress created by losses in their families, schools and friends.  Our children’s agencies are providing counseling, activities and programs to create a sense of normalcy in their lives.”   So, we decided to use donor designations for hurricane relief to help the children of Southern Mississippi.

The people of Western Wisconsin responded and United Way St. Croix Valley sent over $24,000 in support beyond the initial truckload of relief supplies. We reached out to the children of Southern Mississippi by donating $9,036 to Hope Haven Children’s Shelter; $5,000 to the Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse; $2,000 each to the local Girl Scout and Boy Scout Councils; $2,000 to Keesler Air Force Base Youth Programs and $4,000 to United Way of South Mississippi.

 “We were especially touched by the plight of the abused and neglected children housed at Hope Haven Children’s Shelter because their building was badly damaged and they lost much of their funding base,” said David Trebesch, past-president of United Way St. Croix Valley.  Hope Haven reopened on June 23rd and the 8 beds were full within 24 hours.  They also help the 88 county children in foster care with things like school supplies.  When asked what the shelter needs, Executive Director Terry Latham said, “We’re grateful for what you did for us but local funding is hard to come by so we would welcome additional cash donations or Wal-Mart gift cards - since they are the only store open around here.”  

“The people who live along the Mississippi Gulf Coast will have many months and possibly years of recovery and rebuilding ahead.  Sixty percent of homes were moderately to severely damaged or totally destroyed by the surge, flooding, and/or wind.  Lives were forever changed by the storm forces that pounded our beautiful beach, homes and businesses.  Thank you again for expressing your caring and concern in such a giving way,” United Way of South Mississippi’s Alexander said.

“After responding to the tornados in Siren and Hammond and the hurricanes last fall and given the ongoing possibility of natural or man-made disasters, our United Way realized that we needed a special guiding mission for how we will respond in times of crisis,” John Coughlin, Executive Director of United Way St. Croix Valley, said.

 “In times of crisis, the mission of United Way St. Croix Valley is to assess the impact of the disaster, act as a conduit for donated funds and materials, collaborate with other response organizations to address critical needs and support efforts throughout the course of recovery,” he continued.   

United Way St. Croix Valley’s annual campaign will begin September 18 with a goal of raising $1,175,000 for programs serving people in St. Croix and Pierce Counties.  For additional information call 715-377-0203 or visit www.unitedwaystcroix.org

United Way St. Croix Valley Presents Program on Investing in Early Childhood Education

United Way St. Croix Valley invites you to learn about the economic impact of early childhood development programs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 13 at Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College in New Richmond.

Arthur J. Rolnick, the featured speaker, is senior vice president and director of research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis and an early childhood development proponent.

For United Way St. Croix Valley and its partners in Success By 6, what a child learns and experiences before the age of six will shape the future of our community.

“United Way got involved with Success By 6, our early childhood learning initiative, because it really is a sound investment for the community. The more we learn about it, the more convinced we are that this is what matters for our community,” John Coughlin, United Way St. Croix Valley Executive Director, said.

Success By 6 is an initiative that aims to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood development, increase access to services, and advocate for public policies and improving systems – budgets, laws and supports – to improve young children’s lives.

“We believe that supporting young children and their families will provide incredible, measurable results,” Coughlin said.

To hear Rolnick talk about the importance of programs and intervention for young children at a United Way St. Croix Valley hosted luncheon Sept. 13, please RSVP to United Way by calling 715-377-0203 by Sept. 1.

United Way St. Croix Valley unites donors with over eighty nonprofit agency partners in order to change and improve lives in Western Wisconsin communities. To learn more call 715-377-0203 or go to www.unitedwaystcroix.org

For Immediate Release 7/19/06 Contact Linda Lia

Success By 6: Reaching Children in Western Wisconsin

Success By 6: Reaching Children in Western Wisconsin For United Way St. Croix Valley and its partners in Success By 6, what a child learns and experiences before the age of six will shape the future of our community.

Success By 6 is an initiative that aims to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood development, increase access to services, and advocate for public policies and improving systems – budgets, laws and supports – to improve young children’s lives.

How does Success By 6 plan to accomplish this? After researching the needs of Western Wisconsin children, the Success By 6 Work Team has established four priorities for Western Wisconsin. • Parent educators link face-to-face with parents at hospitals and the Women, Infant and Children clinics. • Parents have the opportunity for parent-child play groups and parent education classes (including evenings and weekends) in every community. • Parents have the opportunity for home visits with a parent educator. • A listing of local resources and contacts is available for parents (on a large magnet) and distributed through hospitals, clinics and agencies.

“We believe that supporting young children and their families will provide an incredible, measurable results,” John Coughlin, United Way St. Croix Valley Executive Director, said.

Mary Sue Ash, Success By 6 Coordinator, adds, “An ongoing, coordinated, collaborative, seamless and universal system for parents is needed. The most effective means to engage and motivate parents is through early personal contact with early childhood professionals and interaction with other parents.”

To accomplish this, the task force has recommended a system that will give parents the opportunity to meet with a parent educator after deliveries at Hudson Hospital, Westfields (New Richmond), and River Falls Area Hospital. The infant specialist will meet with parents at Baldwin Area Medical Center concurrent with the one-month hearing screening appointment.

Art Rolnick, a senior economist at the Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank and early childhood development proponent, will talk about the importance of programs and intervention for young children at a United Way St. Croix Valley hosted luncheon September 13th. Rolnick has estimated that investment in quality early childhood development programs provides a 12% rate of public return on investment.

For more information on Success By 6 in your town, contact United Way St. Croix Valley at 715-377-0203, or visit our website at www.unitedwaystcroix.org.

Released for 6-28-06, Contact: John Coughlin or Linda Lia

United Way of River Falls and United Way of St. Croix County to Merge

United Way of Rivers,Brad Caskey, President & United Way St. Croix County, John Coughlin, Executive Director

United Way of River Falls and United Way of St. Croix County will merge on July 1st. The combined organization, United Way St. Croix Valley, will serve Western Wisconsin by collaborating with other nonprofits to create measurable change in our communities.

“Combining our two United Ways increases our ability to serve area residents,” noted Executive Director John Coughlin. In order to meet the needs of the growing organization, United Way St. Croix Valley has hired two new staff members. Resource Development Director Julie Spence will spend much of her time in Pierce County working with local nonprofit agencies to identify needs and raise the funds needed to address them. Development and Marketing Manager Linda Lia will concentrate primarily on St. Croix County. The staff’s other primary objective will be to increase public awareness so that area residents understand the vital role that United Way plays in building communities.

The United Way of River Falls has served the area since 1959. “The rapid population growth and mounting demands on nonprofit agencies meant that United Way needed to do more,” said River Falls Board President Brad Caskey. “Our volunteer Board realized that we could accomplish more by working with St. Croix County – the restructuring allows the new United Way to multiply our impact,” he continued. Caskey will serve as Vice President of United Way St Croix Valley.

Incoming Board President Jim Dahl chaired the ad-hoc committee formed by the two organizations to study the benefits of a combined annual campaign. Dahl said, “The group used a process that analyzed each campaign and we concluded that we could do more by combining back room operations, sharing resources and having staff available to assist the fundraising volunteers. We expect funded agencies to be efficient and we hold ourselves to the same standard.”

United Way donors expect to see positive and lasting changes in their community so United Way St. Croix Valley will focus on three primary goals. “We will Meet Basic and Emergency Needs, Strengthen Children and Families and Increase Health and Self-Sufficiency,” promises Community Impact Committee chair Larry Gee. All existing agency partners have been assured that they can expect continued funding in the coming year. “As we move forward, we’ll be working with our partners to concentrate on achieving specific goals and measurable results in each service area,” continued Gee.

United Way St. Croix Valley unites donors with over eighty nonprofit agency partners in order to change and improve lives in Western Wisconsin communities. To learn more call 715-377-0203 or go to www.unitedwaystcroix.org

For Immediate Release Contact: John Coughlin or Linda Lia

United Way of St. Croix County Adds Staff

United Way of St. Croix County has announced the addition of two new staff members. Julie Spence will serve as the Resource Development Director, and Linda Lia will be the Development and Marketing Manager.

“The addition of these two staff people poises us to better serve the community. The restructuring will allow our United Way to broaden our community impact,” John Coughlin, United Way of St. Croix County Executive Director, said.

Julie Spence joins United Way of St. Croix County with a background in education and nonprofits. Spence has lived her whole life in the St. Croix Valley, and holds a Bachelor’s degree from University of Wisconsin River Falls.

“I am very excited to be working for this United Way as it grows to serve communities throughout western Wisconsin upon finalization of the pending merger with the United Way of River Falls,” Spence said. “This is my home and these are the people and places I care about.”

Linda Lia joins United Way of St. Croix County with a background in mass communications and nonprofits.

“I absolutely believe in the integral role United Way plays in the community to bring together services and organizations for powerful results. I am thrilled to be involved in such a quality organization,” Lia said.

For Immediate Release Contact: John Coughlin or Linda Lia

United Way Distributes Funds to Local Nonprofit Programs

United Way of St. Croix County continues to make an impact in the community through the distribution of $916,542 in funding and goods raised through the annual fall campaign.

“United Way of St. Croix County believes we have to get to the root of community problems and create real and lasting change, not just provide a temporary band-aid. To accomplish this, we work with other community organizations and direct funding where it will create a powerful return on investment,” said United Way’s Executive Director John Coughlin.

“Consider the problems we began tackling after a needs assessment commissioned by the Hugh J. Andersen Foundation found that ‘rising housing costs make it difficult for low-income residents to live in the area and there is a lack of transitional and emergency shelter,’” Coughlin says. “United Way spearheaded an effort that brought together community organizations to create the Grace Place shelter. Now, we will build on that step by initiating collaboration with the Two Rivers Community Land Trust to create desirable, affordable housing.”

United Way of St. Croix County is awarding approximately $631,000 to 74 nonprofit programs and services. United Way allocates the general funds to create real impact in the categories of: Food, Shelter and Self-Sufficiency; Child and Youth Development; Health; Personal and Family Crisis; Older Adults and Special Populations; and Services to the Community. An additional $211,500 will go to specific agencies or other United Ways designated by donors. SUPERVALU has donated approximately $74,000 worth of food and household products that were distributed through area food pantries, community meals and senior dining sites.

Agencies meeting the basic needs of Food, Shelter and Self-Sufficiency will receive $155,094 (17%). United Way continued its leadership support for transitional housing by committing $25,000 for Grace Place in Somerset and Faith House in New Richmond.

Child and Youth Development programs will receive the largest distribution totaling $178,320 (19.4%). The increased funding in this area went to organizations working on United Way’s Success By 6 initiative. Upon the Success By 6 Work Team and Leadership Board’s recommendation, pilot programs will be launched at area hospitals to connect parent educators with parents while they are in the hospital.

Support for programs that improve Health will total $12,500 (1.4%). Nonprofit organizations working to resolve Personal and Family Crisis will receive $142,162 (16%). Programs serving Older Adults and Special Populations received grants totaling $113,670 (12%). Services to the Community grants total $1,500 (.2%). Agencies in Burnett and Washburn Counties will receive $30,133 entirely from funds contributed by local residents and the owner and employees of Nexen Group, Inc. in Webster. Donor designations to specific nonprofit agencies account for the remaining funds distributed. The cycle will begin again on September 18th with the kick-off of the 2006-2007 campaign.

The mission of the United Way of St. Croix County is to bring people and resources together to focus on what matters^tm in St. Croix County communities.

AGENCY GRANT PURPOSE

FOOD, SHELTER AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY Shelter for All - $149,094
American Red Cross $ 10,000Emergency Food & Shelter
Food Resource Collaborative $ 1,094 Emergency Food
Grace Place/Faith House $ 25,000 Emergency Shelter
Operation HELP $ 33,000 Emergency Assistance
The Salvation Army $ 25,000 Emergency Assistance
Two Rivers Community Land Trust $ 20,000Affordable Housing
United Way Emergency Assistance Fund $ 10,000Emergency Food & Shelter
WestCAP $ 25,000 Emergency Assistance

General - $6,000
Love Baskets - New Richmond $ 2,000 Supplemental Food
Love Baskets - Roberts $ 2,000 Supplemental Food
St. Croix County - Land & Water Conservation $ 2,000
Emergency Food SUBTOTAL $155,094

CHILD AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Success by Six - $58,900
Association for Home and Community Education $ 2,350 Parenting Newsletters
CESA 11 Head Start $ 1,500 First Books Community
Preschool - Baldwin $ 1,250 Financial Aid NRCF
Youth & Families Initiative $ 1,500 Asset Building Blocks
Spring Valley Community Preschool $ 500 Financial Aid
St. Croix County DHHS - Public Health $ 1,800 Children's Medical Assistance
St. Croix Family Resource Center $ 35,000 Parent Education/Home Visits
United Way Success By 6 Implementation $ 15,000 Program Costs

School Programs - $24,300
Baldwin-Woodville School District, Viking Middle $ 2,500 After-school Program
Hudson H.S. Peer Helpers $ 6,500 Peer Mediation
New Richmond School District - FAST $ 6,000 Family/Youth Counseling
New Richmond Elementary - RIF $ 1,500 Book Program
New Richmond High School - SPARK $ 2,000 Peer Tutoring
New Richmond High School – Student to Student $ 1,800 Peer Mediation
St. Anne School $ 500 Workshop
St. Croix Central Schools-Kid’s Writes $ 1,500 Reading/Writing Program
St. Mary's School – RIF Program $ 500 Book Program
Somerset Elementary School $ 800 Health Fair
Somerset Schools – Parents in Education $ 700 Reading Program

General - $95,120
Big Brothers Big Sisters $ 17,500 Youth Mentoring
Boy Scouts – North Star Council $ 11,220 Youth Programs
Community Action $ 8,500 Youth Asset/Prevention Programs
Girl Scout Council of St. Croix Valley $ 14,535 Youth Programs
New Richmond Area YMCA $ 8,500 Youth and Teen Programs
NRCF Youth & Families Initiative $ 6,000 Youth Asset Programs
S.O.S. Players $ 8,500 Crisis Prevention Teen Theater
St. Croix Valley YMCA (Hudson) $ 18,365 Youth & Family Programs
UW Extension – Family Camp $ 2,000 Family Development Workshops
SUBTOTAL $178,320

HEALTH Heartland Home Care Network $ 10,000 Hospice Care
Hudson Hospital - Health Resource Center $ 1,000 Resource Materials
Lakeview Hospice $ 1,500 Hospice Care
SUBTOTAL $12,500

PERSONAL AND FAMILY CRISIS
FamilyMeans $ 69,750 Mental Health Counseling
Lutheran Social Service of WI & Upper MI $ 7,797 Mental Health Counseling
PATH Wisconsin $ 5,000 Special Needs Foster Care
Positive Alternatives, Inc. - TeenCare $ 3,365 Teen Crisis Counseling
St. Croix County Jail $ 1,000 Inmate GED Testing
St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice Program $ 2,000 Drunken Driver Program
St. Croix Valley S.A.R.T. $ 9,750 Sexual Assault Care
Turningpoint for Victims of Domestic & Sexual Violence $ 30,750 Domestic Abuse Shelter
Youth Service Bureau $ 12,750 Youth/Family Counseling
SUBTOTAL $142,162

OLDER ADULTS AND SPECIAL POPULATIONS
Aging & Handicapped Transportation $ 4,500 Vehicle Maintenance & Repair
Aging & Handicapped Transportation $ 325 Extra Transportation Grant
Baldwin Public Library $ 1,000 Large Print Books
Bridge for Hudson Youth $ 1,000 Disabled Recreation
Center for Independent Living for W. WI $ 5,000 Disability Services
Courage Center $29,625 Disability Services
Epilepsy Foundation of Western Wisconsin $ 9,000 Epilepsy Services
Have-A-Heart, Inc. $ 9,000 Respite Program
Holy Family Hospital - Meals on Wheels $ 1,000 Meals on Wheels
New Richmond Community Education - ADDRP $ 2,000 Disabled Recreation
Parents as Partners – New Richmond $ 500 Disabled Recreation
Research & Development in Pediatric Therapy $ 4,500
Camp Avanti St. Croix County – Day Away Clubs $ 3,720
Caregiver Support St. Croix County - Faith in Action $ 1,950 Caregiver Training
St. Croix County - Faith in Action $ 875 Extra Transportation Grant
St. Croix County - Family Support $ 2,000 Special Needs Camp
St. Croix Valley Disability Coalition $ 7,000 Disability Services
St. Croix Valley Disability Coalition $ 4,050 Transportation Program
St. Croix Valley Disability Coalition $ 1,200 Extra Transportation Grant
The Deerfield $ 600 Transportation Program
Senior Center Board Coalition $13,500 County Senior Centers
United Cerebral Palsy West Central Wisconsin $ 9,000 Cerebral Palsy Services
SUBTOTAL $111,345

COMMUNITY SERVICES
Community Volunteer Service $ 1,500 Volunteer Workshops

SUPERVALU FOOD AND MEALS $ 73,979

NORTHERN WISCONSIN CAMPAIGN $ 30,133

DONOR DESIGNATIONS $211,509

GRAND TOTAL $916,542

March 2006

Pamida Supports United Way

Bob Jury, manager of Pamida in New Richmond (left) presenting John Coughlin, United Way of St. Croix County a check for $1,000 from the Pamida Foundation  

February 6, 2006

News Release

Contact: John Coughlin or Vivian Hart

United Way Reaches Annual Fundraising Goal of $1 Million

United Way of St. Croix County has announced that donations from local residents, businesses and workplace giving campaigns are projected to total $1,020,000, surpassing the organization’s $1 million goal. Resources raised through the campaign will help create lasting solutions to important local issues and have a major impact on St. Croix County.

“We are gratified that in an outpouring of support for victims of a national crisis, Hurricane Katrina, many in our community chose to support United Way’s work to tackle local issues as well,” stated David Trebesch, President of the United Way Board.

The largest source of support for United Way of St. Croix County came from Andersen Corporation in Bayport followed by Hudson-based Nuclear Management Company and Donaldson Company in Baldwin. Helping put United Way over its goal, Super Valu donated food and household products valued at $42, 600 for disbursement in late December to St. Croix County food shelves.

“Workplace giving campaigns, as well as the Super Valu donation, were critically needed for us to reach our goal,” said Vivian Hart, United Way’s Director of Development and Marketing. “Residential giving was down throughout the county by about $18,000, local small businesses contributed $6,000 less than last year and designations to other

charitable organizations were up. We’ll be making a special effort next year to regain that lost support for United Way programs because it is needed locally and we have the expertise to direct funds where they can do the most good,” she continued.

Campaign co-chairs were pleased that after a challenging period that included national and international disasters, they have finally been able to place the last hearts on signs used to track the progress of the 2005-06 fundraising campaign. Bill and Muriel Hawley spearheaded the Baldwin area campaign, Jerry and Deanne Bauer were the Hudson chairs and Bill and Lisa Leahy led the drive in New Richmond.

“We thank all who have, through their generous support, helped us reach our fundraising goal in a year where community needs continued to climb,” said Executive Director John Coughlin. “Together we will continue to make a lasting impact in our communities.”

United Way of St. Croix County improves lives by working on community priorities on an on-going basis. In addition to distributing funds to local non-profit agencies, United Way has brought public and private partners together to launch Success By 6, a community-based early childhood initiative and has spearheaded efforts to provide food and shelter to our neediest residents. The local United Way also led an effort to ship a semi-trailer of food and supplies to Biloxi, Mississippi and used donor designations for hurricane relief to help children and families along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

For more information about United Way of St. Croix County or Success By 6, visit www.unitedwaystcroix.org or cal 715-377-0203.