I truly enjoy fall in Wisconsin -- autumn leaves, Packers and Badgers football, baseball playoffs, Oktoberfest at the Capital Brewery and, this year, the grand openings of Greenway Station and Middleton's newly expanded Downtown. As we all enjoy and reflect on our good fortune in Middleton and in Dane County, I also use this time to reflect on what to give back to the community.

As a board member of Middleton Outreach Ministry (MOM) and a longtime supporter of United Way, I find that the United Way is the most comprehensive and effective way to support folks in our community who do not share in all of our good fortune. United Way of Dane County also affords the easiest as well as the most effective way to support services that provide a safety net for everyone in Dane County. Through workplace payroll deduction, we can all afford a few dollars per paycheck to keep our local safety net strong and viable. Such a safety net is important for folks in need of services, but it is also important for ALL of us.

Most of us live our lives unaware of how tenuous our good fortune may be until unemployment, an accident, divorce, the diagnosis of an illness or the loss of a loved one changes life beyond our imaginations. Fortunately, the United Way and its numerous top-notch agencies are available when we need help.

Thankfully, the people of Middleton have been providing fine support to United Way -- with 1,920 donors and 56 participating companies that reside in Middleton. Better than 90% of these individual donors donate through their workplace campaigns. These donors comprise nearly 5% of United Way of Dane County's giving force, providing nearly $600,000 in support in 2002 -- an average gift of $312/giver. Nearly 19% of these individuals are Leadership Givers, meaning a combined household contribution greater than $500.

United Way is very thankful for your past support, and I urge you, if possible, to continue to increase your support -- through donation of your time as well as your financial resources.

Starting in the fall of 2004, the United Way is excited to propose a community-wide celebration with coordination among Middleton company campaigns. We will be planning a major event to kick off the various Middleton employee campaigns as well. United Way envisions an event that will celebrate Middleton's commitment to making Dane County/Middleton an even better place to live.

Why participate? The reasons are numerous -- closer relationships among community leaders and officials; leadership development opportunities for employees; enhancement of overall company image and reputation in the community; beneficial business to business relationships; a more productive and healthier workforce, improvements to employee teamwork and morale; better communication and sense of common purpose. However, beyond all of those sound reasons, the United Way provides the social fabric for all of us when misfortune comes, a safety net and complementary services for what government and churches do. Moreover, a strong United Way ensures that the success of our community is shared with everyone in need. And perhaps more than anything, United Way affords an easy and effective way to give back to the community that we call home.

© 2003 Middleton Outreach Ministry

Site design and maintenance donated by Liberty Professional Services, LLC
Hosting donated by TDS Metrocom