Many happy returns! This traditional greeting for the New Year wishes everyone happiness and prosperity for many years to come. As we begin another new year, all of us at United Way of Sheboygan County hope that our community will continue to prosper and that all of its citizens may be fed, educated and healthy.
Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy New Year! Happy Holidays! Whatever your holiday greeting, for many, this time of year inspires many with feelings of generosity and warm wishes. For most charitable organizations, 25-50% of contributions are made between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, and volunteerism is prevalent this time of year. Surely most of you have seen at least one volunteer bell ringer helping with the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Campaign this season.
Let me interrupt our regularly-scheduled United Way programming to write about a wonderful community organization helping those in need in our community: the Sheboygan County Rotary’s Clubs Making Spirits Bright. In this season of overspending, I encourage you and your families to drive through the FREE holiday light show in Sheboygan’s Evergreen Park and bring a donation of non-perishable food items to support those in need.
Wiki what? As I was thinking about my topic for the column this week and throwing around different ideas, I began doing a bit of online research pertaining to the correlation between volunteering and happiness. Who knew that volunteering is part of wikiHow’s prescription for fighting depression and loneliness. In fact, it’s method number two, point two, of three methods.
In 2013, Americans spent $2.375 billion on food for Thanksgiving dinner. They spent $12.3 billion on Black Friday in stores and another $2.29 billion on Cyber Monday. And these same Americans gave $19.2 in online donations on #GivingTuesday.
I have been hungry, but have never experienced hunger. When I am hungry, my stomach growls and I get something to eat. But when a child or adult experiences hunger, they are not always able to get enough food to provide necessary nutrients for a full productive and active life. In fact, extreme hunger may result in illness or death.
Welcome to November! Goodness, where has time gone? Here at the United Way of Sheboygan County time has been flying. The Volunteer Center has been making some big strides and some big changes that the community needs to be aware of because a few of the changes involve our contact information.
Over 1,400 people enjoyed fine dining under the big tent on Tuesday, October 21st at the 3rd annual Harvest for the Hungry event, sponsored by Kohler Co. Hospitality & Real Estate Group and Sargento Foods. The food offerings were prepared by the restaurants of Kohler: American Club, Horse and Plow, Cucina, Woodlake Market, Blackwolf Run, The Immigrant Restaurant, The Wisconsin Room, Whistling Straits and Riverbend. Joining these restaurants as sponsoring organizations were Kitchens of Kohler, Destination Kohler, Dominion Valley Farm LLC, Torke Coffee, Bake Mark, Lakeside Pepsi and Valley Bakers.
When many think of the programs and services supported by United Way, they think of those in poverty. And while many individuals and families living in poverty are benefitted by United Way-supported programs, a much larger population is served as well: the working poor.
Fall is my favorite season in Wisconsin. Autumn smells, changing leaves and crisp temperatures are just some of the reasons I love fall. But the number one reason? The food!