Craig Waggoner is retiring from Middleton Outreach Ministry. Craig has been battling cancer for more than six months and is just now planning his retirement. Although the exact date has not been set because of his health situation, Craig hopes to continue working until the end of March.

Craig and I have worked together for more than 6 ½ years. We began working together on the client load of families in need, until Craig took over the client care and case management. By this fall, Craig was seeing 90% of the clients, some 250 active cases a year.  In declining health and in preparation for retirement, Craig is turning over all his client cases, sharing many resources and referral networks with other staff at MOM.

We accept Craig’s retirement with sincere gratitude for his leaving a program he did so much to build up. Craig came to Middleton Outreach Ministry in the fall of 2001, back when the Rental Assistance Program was ministering to over 120 client households a year. This case load has more than doubled since then to over 250 active cases per year. Many people  know Craig through his work with MOM and want to support him as he had supported many families throughout the years. 

There is something very simple that you can do.  If you were touched by his life and ministry, we are asking you to simply take the time to write a letter of appreciation.  Simply write a letter of appreciation indicating how your life was touched, or your circumstances were changed, by something Craig did on your behalf. A handwritten note to us at MOM (7432 Hubbard Avenue, Middleton, WI 53562) is all you need to do.  Or if you wish to remain private, that is “for Craig’s eye’s only,” send a postal letter to that effect, or send an email to craig@mompop.org.

Words of care and concern and encouragement for his circumstances are, of course, most welcome. But so also are words that tell your own story, that give Craig an update on your situation, so that he can look back and see that his ministry at MOM really matters.

MOM will be compiling a “book of letters” on Craig’s behalf.   Please send the letter whenever you wish, but if your letter gets here by March 15, then it for sure will be in time to get into our “book of letters” for Craig.  After all, we want to keep alive the faith, the heart, the extra mile of service, and the standards of excellence that Craig exemplified for all social workers to follow here at MOM. And there will be a social worker to follow. Beyond Craig, the MOM staff and others who support the work of Middleton Outreach Ministry will also appreciate hearing from you in this way.

We wish Craig a fond farewell. When someone “connects neighbors for good” and makes a big difference in this community, let us applaud!  Craig has done that for the community that he loves so deeply. This celebration of life, wrapped up in a book of letters, will let Craig know what a difference he has made in someone’s life by his care and support.

On behalf of Craig and all of us at MOM, we thank you for sharing in that celebration!