• $1,130,018 is the 2nd highest amount raised by this local United Way • 64 donors qualified for the West Bend Mutual Insurance Leadership Match by giving a new or increased gift of $750 or more. The match totaled over $50,000. • 864 donors were eligible for the car give-a-way by giving a new or increased gift of $75 or more. This promotion raised over $161,000 in new dollars. • Over $50,000 was raised in the final days of the campaign from 8 individuals and companies through a Leaders Challenge.

"I am honored to celebrate the success of the 2011 campaign and recognize the individuals and organizations that made a difference," stated Michael Laird, 2011 Campaign Chair, at the United Way Campaign Celebration Event held January 11th. "By exceeding its campaign goal, United Way of Washington County will be able to increase its total allocation to partner agencies in 2012 by 7.4%."

United Way of Washington County's Executive Director, Kristin Brandner stated, "Completing my first campaign as Executive Director of United Way of Washington County, I am in awe of the generosity of this community. It was a challenging campaign but many individuals and corporations showed their true compassion by giving, and then giving more, to help others in need throughout Washington County."

Top leaders in giving in Washington County includes:

Leader Board ($10,000 or more in total giving): Aurora Health Care, BMO Harris/M&I Bank, Broan-NuTone, First National Bank of Hartford, Froedtert Health Medical Group, Froedtert Health St. Joseph’s Hospital, Kerry Ingredients and Flavours, Maysteel Corporation, Quad Graphics, Regal Ware, Schreiber Foods, Serigraph, Spaulding Clinical Research, Washington County, West Bend Mutual Insurance, West Bend School District, Westbury Bank

Five Top/Largest Dollar Change in Giving: West Bend Mutual Insurance with an increase of $28,286; Maysteel Corporation with an increase of $27,114; Spaulding Clinical Research with an increase of $9,818; Kerry Ingredients and Flavours with an increase of $9,593; and AT&T with an increase of $8,600.

A complete listing of all 2011 supporters, award winners and sponsors can be found on the "Annual Report, Audit, & Articles" page of this website.

The event concluded with giving away a 2011 Ford Fiesta car. "The accounting firm of Kieckhafer Dietzler Hauser Hanson selected the winner through a random number drawing," explained Rick Dietzler. "I have five boxes here. The winner’s box will have the keys for the car." After the boxes were opened, Rick introduced the winner of the car, Leon Schmidt from West Bend Mutual Insurance. The other four finalists were Mary Kerrigan- Froedtert Health Medical Group, Mary Pfeiffer-The Threshold, Randy Rady- Kerry Ingredients and Flavours, and Mark Schwersinske- Broan-NuTone.

"Our United Way campaign has made great strides in donations this year, but we still have a ways to go before meeting our 2011 goal of $1,125,000," explained Michael Laird, 2011 United Way Campaign Chair and Froedtert Health St. Joseph's Hospital President/CEO. "The donations raised this year will benefit over 30 programs that will impact over 30,000 families in our community. Without your help this year, there will be fewer funds available to meet the critical needs within Washington County."

"We know these are tough times for everyone," stated Kristin Brandner, United Way Executive Director. "United Way partner agencies are relying on us and the generosity of this community to help during this time of great need. United Way funded programs saw over a 15% increase in services provided from 2009 to 2010, and we know the needs continue to grow."

"Washington County residents are the most thoughtful, caring and impactful group of people determined to make a difference in their communities," continued Laird. "This is the perfect opportunity for you to make a difference in the life of a child, a family or even a neighbor this year. If you are able to help, consider increasing your donation from last year, if you haven't donated to United Way before, please consider a gift of $75. Seventy-five dollars would not only enter you into a give-a-way for a new car, it would also purchase 25 comfort kits for victims of disaster, provide 3-hours of art therapy for a child affected by violence at home, or provide one home visit with a speech, occupational or physical therapist to a child born with developmental delays."

Division Leaders are assigned a group of accounts to manage, including the solicitation of corporate and individual gifts. The 2011 Division Leaders are:

Kewaskum -- Kevin Bartelt, Westbury Bank; Commercial -- Chris Beanan, Richards Insurance; Nonprofits -- Dennis Block, Girl Scouts Wisconsin Southeast; Richfield, Hubertus, Colgate -- Peggy Deheck, Westbury Bank; Industrial & Manufacturing -- Mark Fryer, Maysteel Corporation; Washington County Employees -- Peter German, Washington County Dept. of Human Services; Education -- Patti Harmann, Slinger School District; Accountants & Prof Services -- Don Hauser, R&R Insurance; Jackson -- Judy Held, Westbury Bank; Newburg -- Doug Hein, State Bank of Newburg; Financial -- Joel Herriges, BMO Harris Bank; Physicians & Health Care -- Lisa Just, Aurora Health Care; Key Firms & Special Gifts -- Michael Laird, Froedtert Health St. Joseph’s Hospital; Hartford -- Dave Larson, Broan NuTone; Dentists -- Larry Porter, DDS; Slinger -- Theresa Sizer, West Bend Mutual Insurance; Key Firms & Special Gifts -- Randol Spaulding, Spaulding Clinical Research; Real Estate -- Mike Sterr, Coldwell Banker; Accountants & Prof Svcs -- Ann Stockhausen, R&R Insurance; Slinger -- Sandy Tutas, West Bend Mutual Insurance; Financial -- Rebecca Van Assche, PNC

Account Executives are individuals from local businesses who have been made available to United Way one to two 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 solicits. The 2011 Loaned Executives are:

Rae Bauman, Community Volunteer from Cedar Communities; Angie Jimenez-Kern, Regal Ware; Adam Lofy, West Bend Mutual Insurance; Daniel Selness, Spaulding Clinical Research; Katie Wessel, Spaulding Clinical Research

Want to view a taped TV program of United Way's Campaign Chairs? Click htpp://west-bend.pegcentral.com/player.php?video=4fdad1719461e745f3a92de28b00641f.

Locally the Washington County Board of Supervisors in August unanimously approved 2011 Resolution 23, "Support for the United Way". This resolution promoting United Way fundraising efforts states that programs are selected and evaluation by community volunteers to assure that funds are allocated and used effectively.

Last year the United Way of Washington County raised $1,084,000. This year the United Way of Washington County has set a campaign goal of $1,125,000. Michael Laird, the 2011 Campaign Chair and Froedtert Health St. Joseph's Hospital President/CEO, urges everyone to help United Way of Washington County celebrate its 75th anniversary by donating to the campaign.

"In our pre-season, Team Campaign has worked hard in developing our game plan for a successful campaign," reported Michael 'The Babe' Laird, 2011 United Way Campaign Chair and Froedtert Health St. Joseph's Hospital President/CEO. "As in every season, our number one goal is to win the World Series, and for United Way that means reaching and exceeding our campaign goal so that our partner agencies can deliver winning services for local residents in need. For the 2011 Campaign Season, our goal is set at $1,125,000, a 3.88% increase over what was raised last year. We set this goal in response to the increased needs in our county."

United Way is offering two new campaign promotions this year. Any new or increased gift of $75 or more will automatically enter a Washington County donor into a Celebration of Giving Car Giveaway to win a new 2011 Ford Fiesta. The second promotion is a Giving Challenge for Leadership Giving sponsored by West Bend Mutual Insurance who will match any new or increase gift to $750 dollar-for-dollar in recognition of United Way's 75th anniversary.

"Today the need for services continues to grow, especially now, during these challenging economic times", explained Michael. "The United Way Board set an aggressive campaign goal to meet the growing needs in our County, which will be announced at our Opening Day Kick-off event on Wednesday, September 7th. We need everyone to come together to help raise the funds needed to make a difference in Washington County. From 1936 to today, our community has been supporting each other through United Way efforts and I have the utmost confidence that this community will continue to keep giving now and in the future."

"With this special anniversary campaign, we are asking all County residents to consider a gift of $75 or more to United Way", continued Michael. "That is approximately 20 cents a day or $1.45 a week. Everyone giving a gift, small or large, is how we all can achieve our goal and help those who need the services United Way funded programs provide."

The fall campaign's Opening Day kick-off will start at 11:30 am on Wednesday, September 7th, at the Slinger Community Park. Individuals who would like to attend this community event can call the United Way office at (262) 338-3821 to make a reservation.

A highlight of the Recognition Event was the announcement of Kevin Steiner as the 2011 Clifford A. Nelson Volunteer Leadership Award recipient. Since 1988, this award has been given to individuals in Washington County who demonstrate a long-term commitment to volunteer leadership in the human service area.

Kevin Steiner is a 1995 graduate of the Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Greater West Bend Program, and was named that program's Betty Pearson Leadership Award recipient in 2009. He is a long time resident of West Bend, and he and his wife Linda are the parents of four children. Kevin is the President and CEO of West Bend Mutual Insurance Company and has been working at the company since 1994.

Kevin is a past Board member of the Dr. James E. Albrecht Free Clinic and West Bend United Soccer Club. He is also the past President and Board member of the United Way of Washington County.

The Volunteer Leadership Award is named in honor of prominent West Bend resident Clifford A. Nelson, known for his outstanding volunteer and leadership efforts on behalf of human services, civic and arts organizations in the community. Kevin Steiner joins an impressive roster of past Award Recipients: