Campaign Celebration

Thursday, January 24, 2019

John Bergstrom, Chairman and CEO of Bergstrom Automotive and Jodie Rietveld, sweepstakes car winner from ThedaCare. (Photo Credit: Image Studios)

Contributor: Nanci Micke, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at United Way Fox Cities

They say that the older you get the faster time goes by. After working at United Way since 2001, I can say that the time from campaign kickoff to campaign celebration truly does fly by.   

At United Way, we know that raising money to address needs is crucial. We are excited about having successful campaigns because we know that the community is counting on us to invest in programs like the Fox Valley Memory Project, Thrive Academy and Early Intervention. We think about the kids in after-school programs at the Y and the Boys and Girls Clubs. The families that are in shelter at Pillars, Harbor House and Christine Ann, are on our minds and in our hearts. And then there is the pride we feel for our initiatives, United Way’s PATH for Students, the Fox Cities Diaper Bank, the Connector and the very essential 2-1-1 program.

So it is very sweet when we can celebrate a successful campaign of raising $8.5 million dollars. On January 23, we were able to say thanks to many people who were a big part of that achievement. Be sure to click to see a full listing of the special award winners. 

To add to the fun of the evening, we announced the winner of the United Way sweepstakes car, a 2018 Chevy Trax, with a kayak package that was donated by Bergstrom Automotive. Our winner was a very happy and surprised, Jodie Rietveld, an employee of ThedaCare, who has been a long-time donor to United Way. We thank Kimberly-Clark Corporation for sponsoring the Celebration and the Timber Rattlers for being great hosts. We extend our kudos to all of our volunteer leaders of the campaign, Dustin McClone and Jim Kotek, our Co-Chairs, Dave G. Voss, Jr., our Leadership Giving Chair and Laura Meronk, Emerging Leader Chair.

But most of all we say thank you to all of our donors in this generous community, for continuing to support our work. You are the reason we can change lives.