Luke Hammer (3rd from left) and the LINC volunteer committee at the 2016 Wrap Wrap Rap event.
May 30, 2017
Written by Katie Kuhn, United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
United Way LINC (Lead Impact Network Change) is a national strategy that focuses on engaging young professionals through specialized events.
Luke Hammer is an analyst with Wells Capital Management and a member of United Way’s LINC volunteer committee.
How did you get involved with LINC?
I first learned about LINC when a friend, who was serving as a co-chair, invited me to the holiday “Philanthroparty” in 2014. Myself and the other volunteers boarded the Milwaukee Jingle Bus to tour the holiday lights and stopped at The Cathedral Center to help decorate the shelter for the holidays.
From there, I decided to join the volunteer committee and have been helping plan the yearly events ever since.
Milwaukee’s young professionals have their choice of networking groups. What sets LINC apart?
It is so important for young professionals to feel a connection to the community where they live and work. LINC provides that sense of connectedness through volunteer activities that bring together young professionals in a fun and casual environment. Not only do you get the chance to do good, but to meet and network with other people your age or in your field.
Additionally, LINC has a start-up feel to it. We are one of the pilot cities for this program, which is really exciting.
What has been your favorite LINC event so far?
One that sticks out was the holiday 2016 Wrap Wrap Rap event at Harley-Davidson headquarters. We heard from a representative of Pathfinders, an organization that helps homeless teenagers, about their work and mission. After that, we worked together to create tie blankets that would go to help the teens they serve. It was a fantastic connection between a physical volunteer projects and understanding the impact we would make.
Another fun event was our recent collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club Adult Prom event. Attendees got to pack imagination kits filled with craft supplies that would go to the BGC Art program. It was a great hands-on experience that showed attendees that there are more ways to give back than just donating money.
What cause or community issue are you passionate about and how do you try to impact it?
I appreciate any opportunity to impact Milwaukee’s impoverished neighborhoods, particularly in the inner-city. Milwaukee is so segregated – not only in terms of race, but in terms of income and access to resources – and I like to do what I can to bridge that gap.
I am a Big Brother, and I have learned so much from my “little,” who is 11. He has shown me that, no matter how old someone is or how much you have in common, you can connect and learn valuable lessons from anyone. He gives me a different perspective on life.
Feeling inspired? Learn more about LINC and create your volunteer profile.