Your Top 5 to THRIVE

December 2023

#1 14th Annual Turkey Trot Breaks Records!

Thank you to everyone who attended or volunteered at the 14th Annual Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving, Thursday November 23.

We raised a record $72,100 and had 1,925 participants! We couldn’t have done this without the support of the community and our sponsors. We also saw some creative costumes on both humans and canines!

All funds raised will go to support the Marathon County Hunger Coalition.

Event Sponsors:

• Grand Theater Wausau
• News 9 WAOW
• 101.9 WDEZ (MWC Advertising)
• 95.5 WIFC (MWC Advertising)
• UMR
• Crystal Finishing Systems Inc.
• QRG (Quality Resource Group)
• Hands On Cleaning, LLC
• Marathon Cheese Corporation
• Bridge Community Health Clinic
• Edgar Foods
• Eye Clinic of Wisconsin

#2 Giving Tuesday's Collective Impact filled our Community Closet Racks!

We are amazed and overjoyed by the community support we received for our Giving Tuesday campaign!

On Tuesday, Nov. 28, United Way staff drove the new Mobile Community Closet truck to 11 places to pick up winter clothing donations to stock our Community Closet.

In fact, so much winter gear came in that we had to halt donations temporarily to the Community Closet to give our volunteers time to catch up. The racks are full of winter coats, snowpants, gloves, hats, and boots for kids and adults.

Last week, a toddler boy walked into the closet with his mother without a coat. The first thing he said when he walked in was “I’m cold!”

A volunteer walked him over to the coat rack to pick out a new coat, and this guy was all smiles when he showed his mom his choice. He walked out of the closet wearing that coat and his smile never faded.

Did we mention we have several closet volunteer opportunities? Call (715) 298-5719 to learn more.

#3 Emily Champine Joins United Way serving as Affinity Groups Coordinator

Let's welcome Emily Champine to the team!

Emily started Monday, Dec. 4 and will be working with Emerging Leaders and Women United as the Affinity Groups Coordinator.

"Hi everyone! I'm excited to become a part of United Way of Marathon County's team. I was born and raised in Wausau and have seen the highs and the lows and am looking forward to helping the community advance through the Emerging Leaders and Women United groups.

My family and I are huge hockey fans (Go Wild!) and in our down time like to play some video games. We laugh hard and love harder, and I hope that I can give some of that love back to our beautiful community."

Welcome Emily!

#4 Emerging Leaders Awards $4,000 in School Grants

Clothes, hygiene products, outstanding lunch balances, and mental health first-aid kits are just some of the projects that will receive funds from Emerging Leaders. 

The affinity group announced it will award $4,000 in multiple school grants to applicants within the county. Teachers, school officials, 501 (c) (3) organizations associated with a K-12 classroom, and even students were eligible to apply.

See the grant recipients below. Funds will be distributed by December 31.

• Marathon County Special Education (High School): Classroom-Based Work Experience Curriculum.
• Wausau/WAVE (High School): Effective Education (Online Learning Platform).
• Wittenberg-Birnamwood (High School): SkillsUSA.
• Mosinee High School: Family, Career and Community Leaders of America closet (Food, Clothing, Hygiene Products).
• Edgar Schools: Keeping Kids Warm Program.
• Marathon (Middle School): Clothing Closet
• Athens (Elementary): Safety Patrol
• Wausau/Alternative High School: Mental Health First Aid Kits
• Wausau (High School): Books for Writing Intervention Program
• Stratford Schools: Outstanding Lunch Balances
• Athens (High School): Heat Press
• Newman Catholic High School: Model UN
• Peer Program (High School): Social Emotional Resources
• Wausau (Middle School): Garden Resources 

#5 Charitable Giving - Three Types of Giving and You Don't Have to be Wealthy

Spontaneous Giving is exactly how it sounds – it’s unplanned. One example is deciding to round up your bill at the grocery store when checking out. You probably had no intention of donating, but once asked you decided to round up and support a non-profit.

Annual Giving means that a person intentionally plans on donating and would also benefit from a tax deduction. An example of this would be our workplace campaign where donors can donate once a year or have it deducted from their payroll throughout the year.

Planned Giving, also referred to as “Legacy Giving” is different from Spontaneous and Annual. When someone chooses this route, they’re designating a major gift either in life or upon their death. Learn more about Planned Giving.

Upcoming Events & Holiday Hours

December 8: Emerging Leaders Jingle & Mingle

December 12: Emerging Leaders 101

December 25 & 26: Office Closed

December 25 - January 1: Community Closet Closed

January 1: Office Closed

Register Now - January 25: End of the Year Celebration at Great Dane Pub!