By Kim McDarison
City of Fort Atkinson employees earlier this month completed a “penny war” fundraising campaign for United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties, raising over $850.
Employees within individual city departments competed in the penny war against one another, with the winning department earning a free lunch. The Parks and Recreation Department collected the most funds for United Way, according to information recently released by the city.
The effort was part of an annual United Way fundraising campaign. Each fall, approximately 30 local businesses participate in the fundraising campaign in support of the United Way, United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties Executive Director Megan Hartwick said.
The United Way is supported through funding from residential donations, small business support and foundation grants, Hartwick added.
In 2021, Hartwick noted, funds raised in 2020 were used to support a host of projects.
According to the July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021 United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties annual report, a campaign, which was kicked off in the fall of 2020 with the theme: “Now More Than Ever,” was well-received, with community members raising enough funds to allow the United Way to provide $270,673 in support throughout 2021.
“Our support during our 2020 campaign was humbling and overwhelming. Even during such trying and uncertain times, our donors showed up to support our mission and help us provide high-level support across our communities,” Hartwick was quoted as saying in the report.
In 2021, Hartwick continued, the organization launched a new campaign: “United For All.”
Campaign funds will continue to support the United Way’s mission, which, the report noted, is “to fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in our communities.
“We are here to encourage community collaborations, to help create community connections, to support vital services for our communities, and to create welcoming and inclusive communities where everyone has an opportunity to thrive.”
Said Hartwick: “Being ‘United For All’ encourages community members to get involved in efforts to help others; to create connections and lend resources as they are able to help support our communities and those most in need. It spurs motivation to engage in meaningful, productive conversations. It reminds us that being a part of a community bears a responsibility to actively participate in the wellness and strength of that community. It pushes us all to do our part to help our friends, neighbors, and co-workers when they need us. Right now, they need you and they need United Way.”
Allocation determinations for monies raised in this year’s campaign will be made in March and May of 2022, Hartwick said.
The annual report notes that during the last fiscal year, the United Way showed revenues of $366,381, with 70% of those funds coming through corporate sponsorships and events. Another 14% came through corporate mailings. Some 11% was awarded through foundations and other support, 4% was contributed by organizations and small business donations, and 1% came from workplace campaigns.
Of those revenues, some 30% funded administrative, marketing, and community programs. Over 70% went to support grants for nonprofit organizations in need as identified by the United Way, according to the annual report.
The report stated: “As a result of very successful fundraising during our 2019 campaign and from our 2020 COVID-19 relief fund, our United Way allocated our highest-ever level of funding to the local nonprofits, school districts, organizations and programs …”
In 2021, the organization extended grants to 31 partner agencies for a total of $242,090. Funds went to support such organizations as BASE, Bethel House, Catholic Charities, Conexiones Latinas, Crossroads House of Watertown, Fort Atkinson School District Family Connections, Jefferson County Head Start, Opportunities, Inc., and Rainbow Hospice, among others. (A complete list is found below).
Additionally, according to the report, United Way awarded “pillar grants,” totally $10,500, to several recipients, including: Friends of the Johnson Creek Library, UW-Whitewater Young Auditorium, The Unity Project, Whitewater Kiwanis Club, Jefferson County Head Start, and Jefferson County Human Services.
Another $5,500 was extended through United Way community programs to Ride United, volunteermain.com, Impact 211 and United Grove. Some $6,000 in funding went to support the agency’s Eviction Prevention Program, with those funds provided to St. Vincent de Paul of Fort Atkinson, Community Action Coalition, and Crossroads House in Watertown.
For more information about the United Way, including fundraising initiatives and projects it supports, visit the website: https://www.unitedway.org/local/united-states/wisconsin/jefferson-n-walworth-counties, or contact Hartwick by phone: (920) 563-8880 or email: unitedway@idcnet.com.
Fort Atkinson City Manager Rebecca Houseman LeMire, from left, and United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties Executive Director Megan Hartwick acknowledge the conclusion of the city’s employee “penny war.” The fundraising campaign collected $850 for the United Way. Hartwick is also a member of the Fort Atkinson City Council. Contributed photo.
Several jars represent the bounty of pennies collected by city employees last and earlier this month during a “penny war.” The activity served as a fundraiser for the United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties. Contributed photo.
A list of partner agencies of the United Way of Jefferson and North Walworth Counties, as supplied in the United Way 2020/2021 annual report, show organizations that have been chosen to share in “Partner Agency Grants,” in the amount of $242,090. The funds were raised in 2020. Monies raised in 2021 will be used to support partners and other recipients in 2022. Funding allocations in 2022 will be decided in March and May, according to information supplied by United Way.
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