"I can't even begin to express how proud I am of Washington County's companies and residents' response to the needs of our partner agencies and the individuals they support," exclaimed Warren. "I am proud to announce that, with the hard work of our dedicated campaign volunteers, our United Way raised $1,120,894. To exceed our goal by over 4% during the worst economic downturn in decades says a lot about the character of Washington County."

Warren spoke to over 100 participants at United Way's Campaign Thank You Celebration held at the West Bend Mutual Insurance Company's Prairie Center on the evening of January 11th. In keeping with this year's school theme, entertainment for the event was provided by the West Bend High Schools. Music during registration was provided by Ricky Kellow. Leah Duckert and Diana Jonan performed an instrumental duet during dinner. The West Bend High Schools Dance Team and Drum Corps also performed.

"The people in Washington County responded to the message of the United Way – 'Give at Home'. Money raised in our campaign stays in the community," stated Todd Martens, Washington County District Attorney and United Way Board President. "The success of our campaign is a testament to the commitment of our volunteers and the generosity of the people of Washington County. The money raised will be distributed to local agencies to support programs which measurably improve the lives of Washington County residents in need."

Donations raised by this year's United Way of Washington County's campaign will be used to fund 33 programs offered by 21 United Way partner agencies. Programs supported by United Way include those that help feed hungry adults and children, people with disabilities who need someone to advocate for them, babies born with developmental delays, and youth who learn life skills by participating in Scouting.

"This year we stressed educating Washington County residents about the human service needs within our County and the services provided by our partner agencies to address those needs," explained Laura Giesenschlag, United Way Executive Director. "Through the use of cable TV programs, radio PSA's, news articles, and agency fairs, we strove to make sure people knew about various resources available to them."

"Reaching our goal in 2009 is a evidence to the generosity of the individuals, businesses and other organizations in Washington County," stated Ric Leitheiser, M&I Community Bank President and 2009 Campaign Vice-Chair. "Throughout this campaign, I was impressed with the awareness of the critical situation that exists in the county at this time. High unemployment in particular is taking its toll on individuals and families. The programs supported by the United Way campaign dollars will directly benefit these individuals and families until they can make the transition to a better situation."

"Because Ric will chair our 2010 campaign, we are confident that United Way can continue the success we had during the 2009 campaign," continued Giesenschlag. "We are excited to announce that Michael Laird, St. Josephs Hospital President will join Ric as the 2010 Campaign Vice-Chair and agreed to be the 2011 Campaign Chair"

"In order for an agency to become a partner agency, it must go through the rigorous 3-year Venture Grant process which enables it to demonstrate measurable results." explained Karin Westerlund, United Way Community Impact Coordinator. "This is important because United Way volunteers only award annual funds to programs that can prove they improve the lives of their clients in significant ways."

"During a challenging economic period such as this, United Way thinks it is important to not only continue to fund existing programs, but also provide funding for programs that address emerging needs," stated Ann Schulz, Approved Home Mortgage Broker and United Way Community Impact Committee Chair. "Because of the growing Hispanic population and the increasing number of senior citizens in Washington County, the United Way Board felt it is important to provide funding to programs that provide services to these two groups."

With a strong focus on English language literacy, Casa Guadalupe's Latino Education Leadership Program supports the ability of Spanish-speaking families to achieve economic self-sufficiency and successfully integrate into American Society through education. According the U.S. Census Bureau, from 2000 to 2008, the Hispanic population in Washington County grew 76%. Spanish speaking residents are currently underserved by existing agencies due to the inability of service providers to offer culturally and linguistically competent services, which hinders the integration for Hispanics into their local communities.

Interfaith Caregivers' Caregiver Program connects older adults with caring volunteers who want to lend a helping hand. According to U.S. Census data, 25.2% of Washington County seniors age 65 and older live alone. Interfaith Caregiver volunteers help seniors avoid social isolation and maintain a safe, healthy home environment by assisting with grocery shopping, yard work, in-home visits, light housekeeping, minor yard maintenance and home repairs, meal preparations, and snow shoveling. The Caregiver Program joins Interfaith's Medical Transportation Program that already receives United Way funding.

"Although we are guardedly optimistic about reaching this year’s campaign goal of $1,075,000, we will only be able to do so through the generosity of Washington County residents. In order to provide needed funds to programs that improve lives in our County, now, more than ever, we ask everyone to 'Give at Home', through the United Way of Washington County," urged Todd Martens, Washington County District Attorney and United Way Board Chair.

Donations raised during this year’s campaign will be used to fund 33 programs offered by 21 United Way partner agencies. People can donate to the United Way campaign through payroll deductions, send a donation directly to United Way at P.O. Box 304, West Bend, zip code 53095, or donate online at unitedwayofwashingtoncounty.org.

"For the past two years, because our United Way did not reach its campaign goal, funds had to be cut for critical program services that help people in need – including victims of domestic violence, hungry children and adults, juvenile offenders in need of guidance, and parents who are in jail," explained Nancy Mehring, Community Volunteer Chair of the Radio-thon. "To attempt to prevent this from happening again, particularly because of the tough economic conditions, WBKV/WBWI and WTKM AM/FM agreed to come together in a Radio-thon to help raise funds."

"Ric Leitheiser, my Campaign Co-Chair from M&I Bank, and I, along with numerous other campaign volunteers, are hitting the pavement to raise the campaign dollars so critically needed by programs in our County," stated Tony Warren, Chairman of the Board of West Bend Mutual Insurance Company and the 2009 United Way Campaign Chair. "Through the leadership of Laura Giesenschlag, United Way's Executive Director, we have several new fundraising initiatives this year, including the Radio-thon, Dairy Queen Blizzard Days, and a new Giving Discount Card."

The Giving Discount Cards being offered by United Way can be used at 30 Washington County businesses for a 10% discount. These $15 cards (good until July 1, 2010) are available at numerous locations including M&I, Westbury Bank, West Bend Chamber of Commerce and the United Way office.

"We are thankful for all the generous people in Washington County who will be making a difference right here at home, through their donation to United Way," continued Warren. "Our Giving Cards make a great Christmas Gift for those hard-to-buy-for people. Just think, not only will it make your Christmas shopping easier and save people money, but buying Giving Cards also supports United Way. And for those with a sweet tooth, the $3.00 Blizzard Coupons that are good through the end of the year are still available at Dairy Queen and the United Way office until December 1st."

Donations raised during this year's campaign will be used to fund 37 programs offered by 21 United Way partner agencies. People can also donate to the United Way campaign through payroll deductions, send a donation directly to United Way at P.O. Box 304, West Bend, zip code 53095, or donate online at our website, unitedwayofwashingtoncounty.org.

"This is the 18th consecutive year Killian Management, owners of the Washington County McDonald's, has sponsored a United Way Day at McDonald's,” stated Laura Giesenschlag, United Way Executive Director. "With the addition of the hotcakes, we hope to raise even more money at this year's McDonald's Day that will help address the critical human service needs in Washington County."

As of October 27th, 55% of this year's $1,075,000 campaign had been raised. The donations raised during this year's campaign will be used to fund 37 programs offered by 21 United Way partner agencies in five community impact areas: supporting people in crisis, strengthening families, developing successful children and youth, building strong and healthy communities, and promoting self-sufficiency.

"It's easy to donate to United Way," said Giesenschlag. "If your employer has a United Way campaign, you can do it through payroll deduction. You can also send your donation directly to United Way at P.O. Box 304, West Bend, zip code 53095. Of, if you prefer, you can donate online at our website, unitedwayofwashingtoncounty.org.

The 2009 Division Leaders assigned a group of accounts to manage, including the solicitation of corporate and individual gifts, are:

Accountants & Prof. Specialties Divison == Jerry Aman, R&R Insurance

Kewaskum Division == Kevin Bartelt, Westbury Bank

Slinger & Germantown Division == Ben Becker, First Bank Financial

Dentists Division == Dr. Scott Charmoli, Jackson Family Dentistry

Clergy Division == Pastor Rob Donaldson, St. John's Lutheran Church

Nonprofits Division == Jay Fisher, Boys & Girls Club

Commercial Division == Bob Gannon, Richard's Insurance

Washington County Employees == Peter German, Washington County Dept. of Human Services

Jackson Division == Lisa Gillitzer, M&I Bank

Key Firms == Andy Gumm, We-Energies

Newburg Division == Doug Hein, State Bank of Newburg

Education Division == Pat Herdrich, West Bend School District

Financial Division == Joel Herriges, M&I Bank

Transportation == Steve Johnson, Johnson Bus

City of West Bend == Warren Kraft, City of West Bend

Allenton Division == John Kreilkamp, Kreilkamp Trucking

Physicians & Health Care Division == Michael Laird, St. Joseph's Hospital

Contractors Division == Barb Lemler, Commerce State Bank

Hartford Division == Wayne Losinske, Broan-NuTone

Retail Division == Prudence Pick Hway, Pick Heaters

Richfield, Hubertus, Colgate Division == Theresa Sizer, West Bend Mutual Insurance

Industrial & Manufacturing Division == Robb Steiner, Steiner Electric

Real Estate Division == Mike Sterr, Coldwell Banker

Attorneys Division == Linda Vanden Heuvel, Vanden Heuvel & Dineen SC

Loaned Executives are individuals from local businesses, who have been made available to United Way 1-2 days per week to help both the United Way staff and campaign Division Leaders. They are a vital link between the United Way and the businesses it campaigns. The 2009 Loaned Executives are:

Maureen Amerling, West Bend Mutual Insurance Company

Bev Hansen, Cedar Community

Judy Held, Westbury Bank

Mike Keagle, Regal Ware

Dolly Limbach, Regal Ware

Sadie Marx, Westbury Bank

Joe Millier, M&I Bank

Chris Proehle, Westbury Bank

Chandra Schieble, West Bend Mutual Insurance Company

"In order for our campaign to be successful, people must hear the message of United Way – that a gift by an organization or individual is an investment in their community because of the lives it changes," continued Warren. “"The caliber of our Division Leaders and Loaned Executives speaks volumes to the value the United Way of Washington County provides here at home, when it matters most."