In addition to supporting the warming centers, employees of GE recently donated warm winter items of hats, scarfs and mittens to some local charities and schools.
January 19, 2018
Written by Katie Kuhn, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
When the winter weather dips below ten degrees Fahrenheit, it can be uncomfortable even walking from your home to your car.
However, what is uncomfortable weather to most of us becomes dangerous for those without a place to sleep.
“Being able to escape the cold and get warm is critical for people’s well-being during Wisconsin winters,” said Kelly Skindzelewski, Community Relations Leader at GE Healthcare. “GE Healthcare partnered with the United Way to contribute funds to our area warming rooms to help make sure the doors stay open at these centers and to care for our most vulnerable citizens.”
The $10,000 GE Healthcare sponsorship was distributed to four Milwaukee-area warming centers: Adallum Family Warming Center, The Benedict Center, Tippecanoe Church, and Street Angels at Ascension Lutheran Church. Each shelter received $2,500 toward resources to house community members when the temperatures drop. Funding also went to provide wool blankets to the shelters and to Street Angels, bus passes and McDonald’s gift cards to keep individuals warm during the day.
“When the weather gets this cold, it is crucial that everyone in our community have a warm, safe place to go,” says Krystina Kohler, financial stability portfolio manager at United Way, “with the generous help of GE Healthcare, United Way can ensure that these warming centers are open when people need them the most.”
GE Healthcare is a long-time United Way partner, running a highly successful annual workplace fundraising campaign, providing generous sponsorship dollars to meet community needs, and encouraging employees to roll up their sleeves and volunteer.
In addition to the cold weather sponsorship, 2017 saw GE Healthcare assist in expanding United Way’s efforts to get books in the hands of kids in Waukesha County through the Build My Bookshelf (now My Very Own Library) program. This sponsorship brought book fairs to certain Waukesha Public Schools where students and families may not have the resources to purchase books for their children. Each child in the school got to pick out 3 brand-new books to start building their own home library.
Says Kelly of the partnership: “It is important we work together to strengthen our community and address a wide spectrum of needs.”
Are you or someone you know in need of shelter or assistance this winter? Simply dial 2-1-1 to access available resources.
Warming Center information:
- The Benedict Center serves women currently or previously in the sex trade. The warming center is located inside Hope House and is open Mondays through Fridays, 4 p.m. to 8 a.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
- Adullam Family Warming Center serves families and is open from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m.
- Tippecanoe Church serves single adults and is open from 5:30 pm – 8 am, nightly from Dec. 1 – March 31
- Street Angels – Ascension Lutheran Church serves single adults and is open from 7 pm – 7 am.