April is National Volunteer Month, which recognizes all those who give their time and energy to help their communities. At United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, we celebrate our volunteers all year. And during April, we are pleased to recognize key partners and volunteers who help our mission to change lives and improve the community.
Meet our Volunteer Recognition Awardees:
Marcus Theatres and Milwaukee County Federated Libraries
In 2023, United Way, Marcus Theatres, and the Milwaukee County Federated Library System joined forces to address the critical need for period products and feminine hygiene supplies across our region. With the release of the coming-of-age book turned recent film, "Are You There, God? It's Me Margaret," we launched a community-wide collection drive that successfully engaged workplaces, community groups, individuals, and families.
Together, we collected over 31,000 period product items and an additional 250 assorted hygiene items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, washcloths and more. Those donations were valued at nearly $7,000 and were distributed to 11 partners and schools.
Key project planning partners: Marcus Theatres and over 10 local library coordinators. Special thanks to Madi Cooper.
Award: Inspiring Collaboration
Weyco Group, Inc.
Weyco Group has been an instrumental partner in supporting United Way's Safe & Stable Homes Initiative through their annual contributions to the Project Homeless Connect events in both Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties. Not only have they provided volunteer support by sending employees to serve as guest advocates, but they have also generously donated over $19,000 dollars' worth of high quality, brand name, new winter boots for distribution to attendees across both events.
Weyco Group’s boot donation showcases how local organizations can leverage their product and materials to make a meaningful difference.
Award: Inspiring Alignment with a United Way Key Initiative
Landmark Credit Union
Landmark has been a dedicated partner of United Way and advocate of volunteerism across our region for decades. They are dedicated to backing and actively supporting initiatives that revolve around financial education and empowerment, the wellbeing and health of families, helping youth succeed and fostering community togetherness.
They developed a year-round engagement plan to tackle volunteerism with strategy and engaged over 475 team members across volunteer experiences. In addition to hosting volunteer activities, Landmark Credit Union also actively sponsors several signature events that connect to United Way's key initiative strategies that allow community members and other local organizations to also take part in creating lasting change through volunteerism.
Key project planning partners: Melissa DiCicco and Brion Nash
Award: Inspiring Year-Round Engagement
Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades Council, AFL-CIO
In June of 2023, the Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades Council AFL-CIO approached United Way and shared that volunteers from the Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades would be able to assist with distributing over 7,000 filled backpacks to students in Milwaukee Community Schools and schools in Waukesha and Washington counties.
In years prior, United Way staff would deliver over 25 pallets of backpacks to each school by hand. We are grateful for Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades Council’s help behind the scenes, ensuring that students locally started the year with backpacks filled with school supplies through United Way’s Backpack Coalition program ahead of the school year.
Key project planning partners: Rebecca Klebsch from Milwaukee Area Labor Council AFL-CIO and Dan Bukiewicz from the Milwaukee Building & Construction Trades Council AFL-CIO
Award: Lifting Our Impact Behind the Scenes
Eaton Corporation
In addition to their annual pledge drive for United Way, in 2023 Eaton partnered with United Way’s Backpack Coalition program to provide backpacks and school supplies to every student at Hawthorne Elementary School in Waukesha. Employees came together from across all sites in Wisconsin to help pack over 350 backpacks filled with district requested, age-appropriate school supplies. Eaton volunteers also sponsored and assembled Youth Mental Health Kits, as well as participating in our Holiday Giving Tree Program.
Eaton’s willingness to support students and families locally in Waukesha is invaluable and we are grateful for their monumental on-going support of Hawthorne Elementary through United Way’s Backpack Coalition Program.
Award: Inspiring Corporate Event Partnership
Technology United
The Technology United network is comprised of technology professionals who recognize the important role volunteerism and philanthropy play in strengthening our community. Their work is focused on bridging the digital divide, offering technology support to our local nonprofits, and inspiring the next generation of tech professionals. In 2023, Technology United:
- Uplifted Techquity at their events and through their company campaigns.
- Supported our local nonprofit agency partners, by matching them with experts to address their technology needs.
- Raised a record breaking $580,000 for the Community Fund at the annual Technology United CIO Forum.
- Brought back the annual Technology United Career Fair and engaged 75 high school students and 60 UW-Milwaukee IT students, exploring a variety of pathways in the tech industry.
Award: Inspiring Donor Network
Jay Magulski
Jay has developed a culture of employee engagement and giving back at Landmark Credit Union, and they have supported several of our Volunteer Engagement signature events. He prioritizes a solid best practice annual campaign at all of their Credit Union locations.
He was the President of the Board of United Way of Waukesha County when we merged and following the merger, he was a member of our United Way Board of Directors, United Way Executive Committee, and United Way Governance Committee. He was also Chair of our United Way Volunteer Engagement Committee and he consistently serves on our Annual Campaign Cabinet.
Award: Gwen T. Jackson Community Service Award
The Gwen T. Jackson Community Service Award was established in 1981 and is presented annually to the United Way volunteer who best exemplifies a spirit of volunteerism and dedication to our community.
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