Your Top 5 to THRIVE

October 2023

#1 Giving Tuesday Sneak Peek - Stuff the Truck with Winter Clothing Essentials

This Giving Tuesday we’re working to keep the community warm by stocking our Community Closet and soon-to-be Mobile Closet with winter essentials.

Every person deserves proper clothing to protect themselves from the harsh Wisconsin winters. Starting this month, we’re asking companies that support United Way to start collecting new winter clothing for all ages.

Companies will receive an email with registration information. It can also be found HERE.

On Tuesday, November 28, the Mobile Closet truck will visit these companies and collect the items. The goal is to stuff the truck with essentials like coats, snowpants, boots, hats, and gloves. The items will be distributed through our Community Closet and Mobile Closet at no cost to individuals and families.

Anyone can help by visiting our wish list on Amazon and Target or by finding similar items and dropping them off at the Community Closet.

#2 Power of the Purse Recognized in 'Best of the Wausau Area' Poll

Women United's Power of the Purse event tied for third place in the Best of the Wausau Area 2023 in the Best Annual Fundraising Event category.

The Best of the Wausau Area surveys people on the best restaurants, shops, public figures, events, etc.

This year, Power of the Purse raised $53,500 a – 15 percent increase from 2022!

There were 280 amazing supporters at the event held Thursday, June 8 at the beautiful Hilton Garden Inn located in Wausau.

Congratulations to Women United! We can't wait for next year's event.

#3 Community Bus Tour Educates, Enlightens

A group of community members participated in our 2023 Community Bus Tour, Wednesday Oct. 4.

This event demonstrated how United Way is working with our partners to put people on the path to financial stability.



One participant, Ginny Sauer, described the entire experience as “enlightening.”

The bus stopped at The Neighbors' Place for a tour as well as the Boys & Girls Club of the Wausau Area.

Afterwards, the bus came back to United Way where participants were able to see the Community Closet and make resource kits for elderly homeowners who signed up to have their yards raked as part of Make a Difference Day.

#4 Market Gleaning - That's a Wrap!

This season the Marathon County Hunger Coalition collected, sorted, and distributed 5,650 pounds of produce from farmers and Wausau Farmer's Market shoppers.

Each Saturday morning from June through September, volunteers, accompanied by a member of the Hunger Coalition, set up a table at the Wausau Farmer’s Market to collect food that vendors or shoppers at the market donate.

That produce is then stored in cooled storage over the weekend and on the following Monday morning, it is put on display at The Neighbors’ Place for their guests to enjoy while it’s still fresh.

Most weekends the Hunger Coalition is collecting roughly 500lbs of produce but sometimes up to 800lbs. That’s hard work! Over two-dozen volunteers participated over the summer to make this program possible.

Thank you to everyone who helped. We will see you next year! 

#5 Upcoming Events & Activities

October 8 - Farm Harvest Day at Red Door Family Farm

October 28 - Make a Difference Day