History | Marshfield Area United Way

1946 Founded as a Community Chest, community raised $15,161

1970 Changed name to the Marshfield Area United Fund, community raised $45,489

1972 Transitioned to a United Way

1986 JC Pfeiffer hired as the first paid Executive Director

1987 First office was rented at Central Plaza

1989 Mission Statement was adopted

Ann Boson hired as first full-time Executive Director

1991 First Call begins as a collection of community information phone numbers in United

Way office

Michelle Boernke hired as the first paid Communications Director

1992 Jeanne Denk hired as Administrative Assistant

1994 Pacesetter campaign established

1995 Marshfield Clinic first company to give more than $100,000

1996 United Way's 50th year of service, community raised $531,473

First leadership giving campaign and The Marsh Society is developed to recognize

individual gifts of $500 or more

1997 Marshfield Area Volunteer of the Year Awards Celebration held, a partnership with

Marshfield News-Herald

1998 Restaurant Week established, where local eateries donate a portion of proceeds to

United Way

2002 First Call for Information becomes county-wide program

Mary Friesen hired as first Volunteer Center Coordinator

Make a Difference Day held in Marshfield for first time

Transition to “Impact Funding” begins: Allocation Committee becomes Community

Impact Committee funding decided based on a focus on program results

Initiated Vision Councils—for community human service programs network and problem

solve together throughout the year

2005 First Call for Information evolves into United Way’s 2-1-1—one toll free number,

operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

2006 60th Anniversary: Drive Chairs Bill & Darlene Berry lead campaign that raises

$1,001,250

Make a Difference Day has 348 volunteers and 69 people served

National Youth Service Day has 120 volunteers

2007 Marshfield Clinic first campaign to raise more than $300,000

2008 First year with no public goal, instead community focuses on people in need in the

Marshfield area, a message made more poignant as the country fell into a

recession.

Paula Jero hired as Executive Director.

2009 Marshfield Area United Way launches first Dare to Dream House Raffle

FamilyWize prescription discount cards made available: a free option to allow residents

to save on prescription medication.

Loyal Contributors, donors who have given to any United Way for 10 years or longer,

tracking begins

First Day of Action held

Money Smart week launched

2010 Moved to new location at 156 S Central Avenue

video added to website

Partnered with City for free tax preparation

Record number of backpacks collected (over 500)

Over $100,000 in prescription drug savings with Family Wize

2011 Ashley Winch hired as Campaign/Marketing Coordinator, 2-1-1 coordinator

Marshfield Clinic issues $25,000 challenge

Backpack extended to include Loyal, Neillsville, Granton & Greenwood area

Keep Warm project launched with Mfld. Community Foundation

2012 Schwans Truckload Sale for United Way

Reach Out Read launched

House raffle expanded to include a car (2013 Mustang from V&H Auto)

Give Back Marshfield launched as Volunteer Day with Leadership Mfld. group

First Wipe-Out challenge

2013 Nutrition on Weekends Started

Job Center, NCCAP, AARP tax prep, W2 all moved into United Way offices

First 5K for United Way

Children’s Book Swap

2014 SNAP Challenge Held

Circle of Care Women's Group started

2015 Mary Wolff hired as Community Impact and Volunteer Center coordinator

First Sweepstakes held for 4 ($1,000) cash prizes

NOW program serving 300 children weekly

2016 First Wine Walk held

Lang Furniture donation for fundraiser

Implemented a new mobile response website

Greenwood and Loyal added to NOW program

Green Bay Packer Foundation grant received for R2P4A

2017 Simplicity Credit Union post wine/cheese/grub at Oven above the Pub for NOW

Jeanne Denk retired in October after 25 years

Green Bay Packer Foundation grant received for NOW Program

Jason, Kim, and Angell Family were Drive Chairs

Schalow’s hosted Patio Nights to support NOW and Backpack Drive

Campaign Goal was $800,000.00 and we raised $804,212.33

There were enough NOW Sponsorships to fund the 400 Students for school year

2018 Marty, Jennifer, and Anderson Family Drive Chairs

Krystal Bowman hired as Resource and Office Manager

2019 Paula Jero retired in May after 11 years as Executive Director

Ashley Winch promoted to Executive Director

Krystal Bowman promoted to Communications Director

Cassie Zopfi hired as Resource and Office Manager

First LIVE UNITED 365 Golf Scramble held at Riveredge Golf Course

First Dueling Pianos event held at Riveredge Golf Course

Heidi Heckel (Nancy Heckel estate) donated a house to Marshfield Area United Way

2020 COVID-19 Pandemic
Emergency Food Boxes, Safer-at-Home, Hygiene Kits, and Partnered with MACF for COVID Relief Fund

Wine Walk and Dueling Pianos events cancelled

NOW an Supplies 4 Success had different distribution methods to comply with social distancing recommendations
Dargenio Family named 2020 Campaign Drive Chairs
Joe G. held virtual concert to raise funds for United Way
Ashley Winch named WAOW Hometown Hero
Recipient of the Forward Bank $10,000 Facebook Contest
Raised over $90,000 for Heckel House Renovations
Selected as a recipient of Festival Foods icon sale
Moved out of 156 S Central Ave. (to temporary location at 331 S Central Ave)

Held a Holiday Raffle, to give locally and to support local small businesses
Both Campaign Goal and NOW Sponsorships were met and exceeded prior to year end

2021 Moved into our forever home at 612 W Blodgett St (The Heckel House)
Cassie Zopfi promoted to Marketing and Development Manager
Sarah Chy hired as Resource and Office Manager
Ashley Winch 10-year anniversary
Ribbon Cutting and Open House held to celebrate our new home and our 75th anniversary
A tree with a time capsule buried with it were planted as part of the anniversary celebration
United for Community Wellness collaboration with the school district, Children’s Wisconsin, and the Marshfield Area Community Foundation

continued to help provide information the community about mental wellbeing