United Way of Inner Wisconsin thanks campaign supporters

United Way of Inner Wisconsin thanked its many supporters Dec. 15, during a celebration at the Hotel Mead and Conference Center.

All campaign volunteers – from Loaned Executives and Division Chairs, to Employee Company Coordinators – were recognized for their important roles during the campaign. Outstanding company campaigns were also acknowledged.

The Community Service Award, United Way of Inner Wisconsin’s highest honor, recognizes campaigns that experience a 10 percent increase in giving over the prior year, 75 percent employee participation and have at least 25 employees. Community Service Award winners receive a plaque and year tag for the first year they achieve this status, and a year tag for each subsequent year. This year the recipients of the Community Service Award are:  ERCO Worldwide, Rapids Ford-Lincoln-Mercury and Wood County Health Department.

The Per Capita Awards are given to companies that have high per-capita giving during their United Way campaigns, and have at least 10 employees. They are awarded at three different levels:  Gold ($150+), Silver ($100 – $149) and Bronze ($70 – $99).

This year’s Gold Per Capita Award recipients are:  Enbridge Energy and ERCO Worldwide. The Silver Per Capita Award recipients are:  Alliant Energy, the Community Foundation of Greater South Wood County, McMillan Memorial Library, Paper City Savings Association, River Cities Bank, River Cities High School, Solarus, Wisconsin Rapids Police Department, Wood County Health Department, and WoodTrust Bank.  The Bronze Per Capita Award recipients are:  Mid-State Technical College, Rapids Ford-Lincoln-Mercury, The Daily Tribune, Wisconsin Rapids City Hall, Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department, Wisconsin Valley Concrete, and Wood County Systems Department.

The Participation Awards are given to companies that experience high employee participation during their campaigns. These are also distributed in three different levels:  Gold (95 percent – 100 percent), Silver (90 percent – 94 percent) and Bronze 85 percent – 89 percent).

This year’s Gold Participation Award recipients are: Child Care Resource & Referral – 100 percent, Doorworks, Inc. – 100 percent, Enbridge Energy – 100 percent, Fey Printing Co. – 100 percent, Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce – 100 percent, KeySavings Bank – 100 percent, Literacy Council of Wood County – 100 percent, Mead Witter Foundation – 100 percent, Nekoosa Academy – 100 percent, River Cities Bank – 100 percent, United Way of Inner Wisconsin – 100 percent, USDA Center – Wood County – 100 percent, Wisconsin Flowgate & Culvert – 100 percent, Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department – 100 percent, Wisconsin Rapids Police Department – 95 percent, Wood County Corporation Council – 100 percent   , Wood County  Finance Department – 100 percent, Wood County Health Department – 100 percent, Wood County Purchasing – 100 percent, and Wood County Register of Deeds – 100 percent.

This year’s Silver Participation Award recipients are:  Community Foundation of Greater South Wood County – 90 percent and WoodTrust Bank – 90 percent.  This year’s Bronze Participation Award recipients are:  ERCO Worldwide – 86 percent, Paul Gross Jewelers – 89 percent, Rapids Ford-Lincoln-Mercury – 87 percent and The Family Center – 88 percent.

There was special acknowledgement for our Leadership Givers – supporters whose combined household gift is $500 or more per year.  Leadership Givers receive a plaque and a year tag the first year and a year tag for each subsequent year that they achieve Leadership Giving status.

We also recognized our Loyal Contributors – individuals who have been donating to United Way for 10 or more years; Quality Plus Printing and NewPage Corp., for donating the printing/paper for our newsletter “Inner Focus”;  and the local media who have donated United Way campaign promotions including the Voice newspaper.

Thanks to our sponsors, Thursday’s event was free and at no cost to United Way of Inner Wisconsin.  This year’s sponsors were:  Dale Bikowski, Tom Cahill, Rob and Holly Goggins, Ann Marie Krause, Paper City Savings Association, Riverview Family Clinic.  United Way of Inner Wisconsin also thanks the Hotel Mead and Conference Center for hosting the event.

For those who missed the Thank You and Recognition Celebration, it will be aired on River Cities Community Access (Solarus Channel 3; Charter Channel 985) on Tuesday, Dec. 20 at 1:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.; and on Friday, Dec. 23 at 7:30 p.m.

About United Way of Inner Wisconsin

United Way of Inner Wisconsin is a trusted and established community resource.  Dollars from the annual campaign fund local programs that fill gaps in services in the following Vision Goals:  Fulfilling Basic Needs, Helping Children and Youth Succeed, and Supporting Vulnerable and Aging Populations.

Volunteers identify the gaps in services and make funding recommendations.  This focus on community priorities is in accordance with United Way of Inner Wisconsin’s “Community Impact Funding Model,” serving the greatest needs in our communities.

United Way of Inner Wisconsin regularly receives current information about local programs that apply for funding, it is in a unique position to unify resources.  This relationship with local non-profit organizations results in many collaborative efforts, reducing duplication of services.