GIVE.
ADVOCATE.
VOLUNTEER.
2018 Annual Report
YOU’RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE
IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
2019 INCOMING PRESIDENT, JEFF DRAKE
On behalf of United Way of Otter Tail & Wadena Counties, it is my pleasure to warmly wish each of you a “Happy New Year!”
With my role as the superintendent of Battle Lake Public School, I begin each new school year with a message I hope will be inspiring or, at the very least, thought-provoking. Back in August I ended with a simple rhetorical question for the staff… “how are you living?” At a time when most
of us take stock of our lives and vow to make some positive changes the question seems especially appropriate now - although I might rephrase it slightly to, “How are we living?”
A few years ago, I read a novel by Mitch Albom titled, “The Five People You Meet in Heaven.” The main idea of the book centers on the impact our actions have on others - often without our awareness. The sum of the life of the protagonist (Eddie) is revealed through a series of flashbacks. Because our actions can result in profound goodness or tragedy, the story makes a powerful statement to follow our path in life with kindness, gentleness, care and consideration for others because we are all interconnected. As our journey through life unfolds, the tracks we leave behind are not on the sand – they are on people.
“It takes each of us to make a difference for all of us.” — Jackie Mutcheson
This understanding drives the work of the United Way. In the interest of bettering the human condition, the United Way partners with many agencies whose mission is dedicated to making the world a better place – to ensure that all children are clothed, fed, educated and cared for and that someone is there to support those struggling with addiction, abuse or poverty.
Your generous support makes it all possible. We are fortunate to live in a country with tremendous resources. Whether it is a donation of your time, your talents or your financial resources, know that your gifts change lives. I close with my favorite quote:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead
May 2019 bless each of you with peace, good health and happiness.
Warmest Regards,
Jeffrey D. Drake
Jeffrey D. Drake Incoming President United Way of Otter Tail & Wadena Counties 2018 Financial Reports will be available following our mandatory audit in February 2019.
President: Lori Mattfeld United Community Bank, Perham
President Elect: Jeff Drake Battle Lake Public Schools
Past President: Josh Heggem Pemberton Law Office, Fergus Falls Treasurer: Mick Siems Mill Street Residence, Fergus Falls Secretary: Dianne Beckman Retired, Underwood
Members at Large:
Randy Kempfer InVision Eyecare, Fergus Falls Diane Thorson Retired, Henning
Pastor Tom Peterson Bethlehem Lutheran Church Fergus Falls
Jennifer Hendrickson Perham Public Schools
Jackie Hendrickson StoneL, Fergus Falls
Brent E Frazier City of Pelican Rapids
Gary Sellman Mid-Central Federal Savings Bank, Wadena
Marilyn Twete Retired, Wadena
Jose Alba Tri-County Healthcare, Wadena
Jason Hastings Hastings Law Firm, Fergus Falls
Diane Hanson Bell Bank, Pelican Rapids
Sara Hanson Shearers, Perham
JoAnn Thompson Otter Tail Power Company
2019 Incoming Board Members
Carolyn Glesne Retired, Underwood
Tim Kelly St. William’s Living Center, Parkers Prairie
United Way of Otter Tail & Wadena Counties Staff
Mary Phillipe Executive Director
Meghana Anderson Executive Assistant and Internal Program Coordinator
Marsha Erickson Resource Development Director and Otter Tail County Early Childhood Initiative Coordinator
Alison Francis Volunteer and Events Coordinator
2018 UNITED WAY OF OTTER TAIL & WADENA COUNTIES VOLUNTEER BOARD AND STAFF
Page 3 2018 ANNUAL REPORT
WHERE DID YOUR DONATION MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN 2018? Providing resources to reduce barriers
for persons living in poverty
1. In 2018, United Way provided over $218,000 in funding for 44 Community Investment programs and donor designated programs in Otter Tail & Wadena Counties. These programs focus on Education, Good Health and Financial Stability.
2. The Employability Project, which launched in October of 2018, is a partnership with MAHUBE OTWA to assist low income individuals in attaining and maintaining employment. The project received West Central Initiative, Blandin, Bank of the West and Bremer Trust grants for project implementation. To date, there have been placements of four individuals. Two at Northern Contours, one at Children’s Corner and one at PioneerCare.
Early Childhood Initiative (ECI) and early Childhood literacy
1. The six week Summer Splash Learning
Loss Prevention series was coordinated for children in Parkers Prairie, Underwood, Battle Lake, Richville and Ottertail City.
2. In 2018, 8,100 Imagination Library books were delivered to children in Otter Tail County ages birth – five.
3. United Way registered 185 children in 2018 for Imagination Library.
4. 2,285 Prescription for Reading books were distributed at all healthcare facilities in Otter Tail & Wadena Counties where child wellness visits take place.
5. Perham and New York Mills residents participated in quarterly parent education opportunities. The ECI covers the childcare costs and food expense for the evening.
6. The ECI partnered with the Otter Tail Family Services Collaborative to present the documentaries, Resilience and Paper Tigers at A Center for the Arts in Fergus Falls.
7. The ECI partnered with the Otter Tail Family Services Collaborative to present Sara Langworthy ACEs. (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Training and was facilitated at Lakes Country Service Coop.
8. United Way received a grant from West Central Initiative for the 2019 ECI
Coordinator Stipend = $6,000 and project funding = $6,000.
Reducing the stigma of mental health disorders and promoting positive mental health
1. United Way provided funding for A Place
to Belong with future program expansion in Perham.
2. United Way coordinated Minnesota Acts of Kindness Week November 12-16th.
3. Mary Phillipe joined the Thrive committee which focuses on positive mental health outcomes for the Fergus Falls area.
4. Women United facilitated their second Conversation that Matters event on October 30, 2018. The topic for the event was the Opioid Crisis Touching our Rural Communities.
Reducing food insecurities for residents living in poverty
1. North Country Food Bank Funding -
$17,000, Otter Tail County and $6,900 for Wadena County. North Country Food Bank serves 6 food shelves in Otter Tail County.
2. Food shelves in Otter Tail County received $26,706 through the Friends of Friends Fighting Hunger event.
3. United Way operates the Fergus Falls Feeding Backpack program. 2018 experienced a participation increase of 33%.
4. United Way serves as the fiscal host for Henning & New York Mills Feeding Backpack programs.
5. United Way provided Funding for Otter Tail County and Wadena Feeding Backpack programs through the Friends of Friends Fighting Hunger event. Serving 550+ children.
6. United Way coordinated the 2018 Stamp Out Hunger event for the National Association of Letter Carriers.
Working with our communities to uncover childcare solutions
1. The ECI advocated for a bonding bill for building or remodeling childcare.
2. Marsha Erickson facilitated a group meeting at the OTC Government Services Center to connect people with options for childcare.
3. A childcare gap analysis was completed by First Children’s Finance. Within the Otter Tail County communities we show a gap of 992 available childcare slots.
4. Marsha Erickson facilitated a childcare tour in Detroit Lakes for Pelican Rapids childcare planning committee.
5. Marsha Erickson helped connect and serve as a resource for three Fergus Falls businesses as they move forward with a childcare plan.
Creating awareness of human trafficking and sexual exploitation
and providing education support
1. United Way assisted in coordination and co-sponsored a Men as Peacemakers event at a Center for the Arts.
2. United Way co-sponsored an awareness billboard placement for in Fergus Falls.
3. United Way facilitated an Otter Tail & Wadena informational meeting at the Ottertail Operations Center to educate community leaders on human trafficking and sexual exploitation and what it looks like in our rural communities.
4. Mary Phillipe served on a human trafficking informational panel at Amor Church, facilitated by WDAY’s news reporter Kevin Wallevand.
5. Mary Phillipe serves on the MAST (Mobilizing Against Sex Trafficking) committee established in Fergus Falls.
Additional Program Outcomes
1. Stuff the Bus School Supply program served 840+ children in Otter Tail & Wadena Counties in addition to providing 840+ oral health kits.
2. Alison Francis coordinated Day of Caring events in Perham, New York Mills, Fergus Falls and Parkers Prairie.
3. Over 17, 000 diapers were collected through Lake Region Healthcare’s diaper drive. Diapers were distributed to local food shelves and infant programs.
4. Fergus Falls office mini remodel was completed in July. The carpet was donated by Security State Bank. Volunteers painted the office and we kept the renovation cost under $600.
5. A Bremer Trust operations support and technologies improvement grant was completed and submitted in October. A Bremer Trust site visit was conducted November 28, 2018.
$500 - $749 Friend Level
Anonymous Donor
Marion Bluhm
Steve & Carol Brimhall
Tom & Robin Brimhall
Dr. David & Sharon Ditch
Wallace Fegert
Josh & Shauna Heggem
Mark & Catherine Helland
Anonymous Donor
Donald & Lisa Lacey
Buzz & Ann Lundeen
Dr. Allen & Sandra Magnuson
Randy & Lori Mattfeld
Dr. Todd & Stacy McGovern
Garnet Muehlhausen
Gerald & Barb J. Nelson
Jerry & Karen Ness
Anonymous Donor
Mike & Cris Oehler
Guy & Pam Olson
Anonymous Donor
Leland & Lavonne Rogness
Steve & Sandra Rufer
Rodney & Jo Scheel
Shelley & Steve Schoeneck
Deborah Sjostrom
Jeff & Tammy Stanislawski
Ron & JoAnn M Thompson
Alan & Karen Thompson
Dr. Dan & Lori Traiser
Ward & Debra L. Uggerud
Dr. Robert & Karen Wasson
Todd & Stacy Wahlund
Mark & Kathy Eifert
Doug & Sue Huebsch
Mark & Katie Johnson
Kyle & Tammy Richards
Michael & Lori Siems
Rick & Bonnie Denzel
Stephanie & Nathan Hoff
Anonymous
Dennis & Audrey Emmen
Bruce & Stefanie Gerhardson
Janelle C. Johnson
Missy Klemin
Jordan Millard
Dick & Virginia Portmann
Anonymous Donor
Dean & Patti J. Rix
Jennifer Smestad
Eleanor Pelletier-Stadum
Anonymous Donor
Stuart & Kay Tommerdahl
Beth & Jack Achter
Dr. Randy & Dr. Tara Kempfer
Cheri K. Trudell
$750 - $999 Family Level
Paul & Dianne Beckman
John & Donna Olson
Curt & Ann Rotto
Dr. Jack & Sandra Pearson
Anonymous Donor
Nicholas & Kris Kuehl
Mark Bring & Dacia Stiles
James Christopherson
Jason & Leah Zosel
Dr. Julie Spina
$1,000 - $2,499 Silver Level
Anonymous Donor
David & Darlene Johnson
Douglas Kjellerup
Kenneth & Kim Nelson
Wayne & Connie Pastir
Dick & Carol Pribbernow
Gary Sellman
Dean & Lori Thorsen
Dr. Rud & Timmy Wasson
Bob & Gail Welle
Eric Wicklund
Jeff & Gina Ackerson
Anonymous Donor
Steffen Christensen
Doug & Miranda Gray
Loren Laugtug
Jeffrey & Renae Legge
Dr. Bruce & Sherri Money
Dr. Mark & Julie Paulson
Douglas & Diane Thorson
Jeffrey D. Endrizzi
Robert & Gretchen Bigwood
Michael & Laural Blaskowski
Dr. Yvonne Hanley
Charles A. Hofius
Rev. Richard & Mary Kennedy
Chuck & Pat Krekelberg
Anonymous Donor
Ed & Pat Buerkle
Dr. Wesley Borowski
Lee & Margaret Krogh
Barb Underwood
Tim & Penny Rogelstad
Peter Wasberg
Deborah Kleven
Lyndon T. Thompson
Cathy L. Fogale
$2,500 - $4,999 Gold Level
Barbara Axness
John & Eunice MacFarlane
Dr. Michael & Janeen Van Valkenburg
Tom Verhelst & Karen Zell-Verhelst
John & Kimberly Erickson
Milt & Linda Paulson
Anonymous Donor
Anonymous Donor
$5,000 - $9,999 Platinum Level
Margaret M. Barnes
Chuck & Linda MacFarlane
Anonymous Donor
Anonymous Donor
Tocqueville Society - $10,000 +
Anonymous Donor
Inga Johnson Endowment Fund
Donations received as of 01/03/2019
Page 4
2018 Leadership Giving — $154,500
2018 ANNUAL REPORT
Leadership Givers have a deep commitment to helping others. 117 local individuals and families made an annual investment of $500 or more into our community through United Way. The energy, excitement and enthusiasm of these generous individuals inspires others and infuses hope into those who need it most.
Page 5
2018 Event and Program Sponsors
Women United Little Black Dress and Black Tie Affair
This event provides funding for children to enroll in the Imagination Library
Smoky Mountains, Gold Level $500 Bank of the West
David Stock Farm Services
Fergus Falls SERTOMA
Otter Tail Power Company
Pemberton Law Firm
Quality Toyota
Tag Up – Rischard Marketing
Nashville Silver Level $300 Bremer Bank
InVision Eyecare
LB Homes
Lakes Country Service Cooperative
Lake Region Healthcare Corporation
Nelson Auto Center
Northern Lakes Dental
Ottertail Coaches, Inc
Service Food Market
840 Stuff the Bus School Supply/Backpacks Program
Aastad Church
American Legion Auxiliary
Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Beyer Body Shop, Inc.
Braun Vending, Inc.
Bremer Bank Perham and Fergus Falls
BW Integrated Systems
Carlson SV LLP
Church of the Nazarene
Corner Stone Lodge #99
Eagles Auxiliary 2339
EOT Jaycees
Erickson Insurance Agency, Inc.
Everett Jacobson
Excel Plastics
Fergus Falls Area YMCA
Fergus Falls Fire Department
Fergus Falls Optometric Center, Ltd.
Fergus Falls Sertoma Club
Fraternal Order of the Eagles 2339
Glende-Nilson Funeral Home
Kiwanis Club of Fergus Falls
K.L.N. Family Brands
Krekelberg Law Firm
LifeSmiles Dental
LUND Boats
Midwest Bank
Midwest Insurance Agency
Minnesota Masonic Charities
Minnesota National Bank
Northern Contours
Our Saviors Ten Mile Lake Lutheran
Park Region Telephone
Pelican Drug
Pemberton Law Firm
Perham Rotary Foundation
Perkin's Restaurant and Bakery
PioneerCare
Riverside Fergus Falls Lions Club
Rohde Insurance Services
Sanford Pelican Rapids Clinic
Scott Wagnild, DDS
Security State Bank
Service Food Market
Shearer's Snacks
Shell Station
Shoreline
Shoremaster LLC
Southtown C Store and GN Evenson
St. James Episcopal Church
Tingvold Lutheran Church
Tuffy's Pet Foods Inc.
Underwood Area Lions
Vector Windows
West Central Turkeys
2 anonymous Donors
11 individual donors
Days of Caring in Fergus Falls, New York Mills, Perham and Parkers Prairie
K.L.N. Family Brands
Shearer's Snacks
United Community Bank
Eagle's Cafe of New York Mills
Lakes Cafe in Perham
Central Market of Perham
Lake Region Health Care
InVision Eye Care
Otter Tail Power Company
Otter Risers Kiwanis
YMCA
Bank of the West
LB Homes
Fergus Falls American Legion 840 Oral Health Kits Distribution Northern Lakes Dental, Dr. Scott
Wagnild The Ottertail Pumpkin Festival This event provides funding to the Early Childhood Initiative Summer Splash Learning Loss Prevention Program and the Children’s Feeding Backpack Program Williams Company Store,
Hilltop Lumber
Buehler's Produce
Ottertail Bakery
The Painted Turtle
Betty's Pantry
Galloping Goose Rentals
Ottertail Lions Club
Ottertail Vintage Bike Shop
Page 6 2018 ANNUAL REPORT
2018 BUSINESS AND AGENCY PARTNERS
A Place To Belong AgCountry Farm Credit Services All Creatures Veterinary Clinic Allen Haugrud, Attorney at Law Allstate Giving Campaign AmazonSmile Foundation C/o Perlman & Perlman LLP
American Federal Bank Ameriprise Financial Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. AMP Insurance Area Travel Service of Perham, Inc. Arntson Electric Attitudes for Hair Azure Vision Care - Pelican Rapids Anonymous Business Contributor Bakken Insurance Battle Lake Public School #542 Battle Lake Review Bell Bank - Fargo Bell Bank - Fergus Falls Bell Bank - Pelican Rapids Bethlehem Lutheran Church Beyer Body Shop, Inc BHH Partners Planners Arch Biffley`s Bjorn`s Heating & Air Conditioning Boys and Girls Club of the Perham Area Bremer Bank - Fergus Falls Bremer Bank - Perham BW Integrated Systems CAF America
Calla Floral and Confections Calvary Lutheran Church - Perham Carlson & Company LLP Central Market - Perham Central Minnesota Credit Union - Perham Children`s Services Association Christianson Bus Service City of Battle Lake City of Pelican Rapids Cline Jensen P. A. Coldwell Banker Preferred Partners - Pelican Rapids College Way Auto Companion Animal Hospital Compass Inspection Consultants, Inc. Country Glass Crane-Johnson Lumber Company Dairy Queen Dan`s Vacuum & Sewing Design Intent Architects Dicks Standard Service Dorn & Company Eddie`s Insulating Service Edward Jones - Perham Effington Township Eide Bailly LLP Erickson Insurance Agency Esser Plumbing & Heating Everts Lumber Co Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church Farmers & Merchants State Bank - NYM Farmers Elevator Co. Farmers Union Insurance - Grant Davenport Agency Farmers Union Insurance - New York Mills Fergus Falls Area Family YMCA Fergus Falls Daddy Daughter Committee Fergus Falls Monument Company Fergus Falls Optometric Center Fergus Falls Public Schools #544 Fergus Falls School of Dance Fergus Falls Spine & Injury Center Fergus Locker Fergus Tire Center Gerald Evenson, Inc./Southtown C Store Gibbs #10 Sales Goose Group, Inc. Gottenborg Chiropractic Clinic Grace United Methodist Church Great Plains Natural Gas Co. Guardian Crop Insurance Hanley & Murphy Dental Harmony Studios Higher Grounds
Hilltop Lumber Hockert`s Inc. IBM Inga Johnson, Endowment Fund Investment Realty Northwest, Inc.
INVISION Jaeger Furniture Jefferson Hearing Aid Center K.L.N. Enterprises, Inc. Karkela, Hunt & Cheshire, PLLP Karvonen & Son Funeral Home Inc. Noon Kiwanis Club of Fergus Falls Kiwanis Club of Otter-Risers Inc. Krekelberg Law Firm - Pelican Rapids Lake Area Docks & Lifts Lake Country Graphics Inc Lake Region Healthcare Corp. Lake Region Medical Group, PA Lakeland Mental Health Center Lakes Area Cooperative Lakes Area Pediatric Dentistry Lakes Café Lakes Country Insurance Agency Lakes Country Service Cooperative Lakes Family Eyecare Inc Larry`s Family Pizza Larry`s Foods Larry`s Supermarket Leaf River Ag Service Leighton Broadcasting Life Smiles Dental Lyle`s Shoe Store Maplewood Veterinary Animal Hospital Mark`s Fleet Supply, Inc.
United Way works with over 200 businesses, corporate and non-profit partners
in Otter Tail & Wadena Counties. Together, we affect change on a larger scale
than any single organization can accomplish alone.
The following companies and organizations participated in the 2018 campaign
by coordinating an employee campaign or providing a corporate/business gift.
This year, these organizations and their employees contributed more than
$260,000 and volunteer hundreds of hours in our communities around Otter
Tail & Wadena Counties.
We also extend a special thanks to all of our Global Corporate Leadership
partners, whose generous support inspires us to reach for new heights.
2018 EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS
$158,798 2018 BUSINESS AND AGENCY CONTRIBUTIONS
$101,740
American Federal Bank employees volunteering for the Children’s Weekend Feeding Backpack Program
We are grateful to InVision for running a great campaign and the many hours invested in volunteering for United Way initiatives.
Mauk Jewelers, Inc. Mercantile on Main Merickel Lumber Mills, Inc. Mid-Central Federal Savings Bank Midwest Bank Midwest Bank - Dalton Midwest Insurance Agency Mills Fleet Farm Mills Lanes & Lucky Strike Grill Mimi Rae`s & AddyGrace LLC Minn-Dak Transport Inc. & Gerald N. Evenson, Inc. Minnesota Motor Company Minnesota National Bank Mirror Mirror Salon and Spa Morning Son Christian School M-R Sign Company, Inc. Murdock's Hardware, Inc. - Ace Hardware - Perham
N.F. Field Abstract Company, LLC Nadine`s Nature`s Garden World Network For Good New Horizons Realty Co. of Perham New York Mills Public School #553 North Risk Partners - David Paulson Agency, Inc. Northern Aire Lanes Northern Lakes Dental & Implant Center Northside Floral Northwestern Mutual Network Nyhus Family Sales Olson Funeral Home Oma`s Bread Otter Electric Otter Tail Corporation Otter Tail County Employees Otter Tail Power Company Park Region/Otter Tail Telcom
Otter Tail Tire, Inc. - Tires Plus Total Car Care Ottertail Aggregate Overland Insurance Agency, Inc. Anonymous Business Contributor Park Region Co-Op Parkers Prairie Public School #547 Pederson & Pederson, P.A. Pelican Dental Clinic Pelican Drug Pelican Rapids Press Pelican Rapids Public Schools #548 Pelican Valley Health Center Nursing Home Pemberton Law Firm Pemberton Law Firm - Wadena Perham Health & Perham Living - Sanford Perham Public Schools #549 Perham Tesoro - Palubicki`s One Stop Perrin Auto Body Petals from the Heart Photo Magic of Perham Pickett & Demuth, LTD Pine Shelter Veterinary Pinnacle Pro Floor Care PioneerCare Plumbers, Inc. Polman Transfer, Inc. Prairie`s Edge Dental Preferred Auto Body Services LLC Premier Specialty Vehicles Quality Toyota Rapid Brake & Alignment RDO of Fergus Falls Re-Use It Thrift Store Rischard Marketing - Tag Up Riverside Repair Shop Riverview Place, LLC RK`s Prairie Café Robert Russell, Attorney at Law Rohde Insurance Services Ryan Hanson Homes - Keller Williams Realty Professionals Sanford Health Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service Schornack Rentals Schuller Funeral Service, Inc. Scot`s Machine Shop Sears Hometown Store Security Insurance and Investments Security State Bank Service Food Market Smith & Sem, Ltd. Someplace Safe South Mill Service Spangler Partners, Inc. State Farm Insurance - Janet Swenson State Farm Insurance - Perham State of Minnesota Employees Stearns Insurance Agency, Inc. Steve Schierer Appraisals StoneL (Metso) Svaren Financial Services Sverdrup Women of the ELCA Swenson , Saurer, Gerber, Anderson Target Store #1174 Ten Mile Lake Resort Terry Tumberg, EA The Flower Mill Unique Floral The Muddy Moose The Williams Company Store
Page 7
2018 BUSINESS SUPPORT
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative Townsend Concessions Tri-County Health Care Underwood Women's Study Club United Community Bank United Health Group United Methodist Women - Perham United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley United Way of Otter Tail & Wadena Counties US Bank UPS Employees Vector Windows VFW Post 3922 Victor Lundeen Co. Wadena - Deer Creek Public Schools Wadena HRA Wadena Rotary Club Wadena State Bank Wal Mart Weichert Real Estate - Paulson Land Company Welander Jewelers Wells Fargo - Fergus Falls Wells Fargo - Pelican Rapids West Central Initiative West Central Turkeys Woodland Dental, Inc. Xcel Energy Corporation YourCause, LLC
Thank you to K.L.N. Family Brands, Shearer’s Snacks and United Community Bank in Perham for participating in Day of Caring, 2018.
Thank you LB Homes for hosting the Fergus Falls area Give Where You Live Campaign kickoff!
Top Ten Employee Campaign Awards
1. Otter Tail Power Company
2. Lake Region Healthcare
3. Otter Tail County Employees
4. UPS
5. State of Minnesota
6. Sanford Health
7. Otter Tail Corporation
8. Pelican Rapids Public Schools
9. Fergus Falls Public Schools
10. Vector Windows
Top Ten Employee Campaigns Gift Total = $96,161
Top Ten Corporate Gift Awards
1. KLN Enterprises, Inc.
2. Otter Tail Power
3. Service Food Market
3. Wells Fargo Bank
4. Tri-County Health Care
5. Otter Tail Corporation
6. Bank of the West
6. Security State Bank
7. Vector Windows
8. UPS
9. Sanford Health
10. Lake Region Healthcare
10. Great Plains Natural Gas
Top Ten Corporate Gift Total = $67,360
Please note the duplicate ranking numbers above indicate an equal gift amount.
Page 8
2018 Top Corporate and Employee Campaign Awards
AT THE END OF 2018, 12% OF THE CAMPAIGN GOAL WAS YET TO BE REALIZED. Goal Raised as of 01/03/2018
Fergus Falls Area (Includes: Elizabeth and Dalton) $261,000 $244,875
Pelican Rapids Area (Includes: Erhard and Vergas) $23,000 $18,843
Battle Lake Area (Includes: Clitherall, Henning, Underwood, Vining and Parkers Prairie) $20,000 $15,801
East Otter Tail County Area (Includes: Ottertail, Perham, Richville, Dent, New York Mills, Bluffton, Deer Creek) $45,000 $43,834
Wadena County $35,000 $14,551
This award is given to businesses that go above- and- beyond their campaign, volunteerism or another ongoing commitment to United Way.
Page 9
Otter Tail & Wadena
Counties Shining Star
Lake Region Healthcare Corporation
1. Tri-County Health Care
2. StoneL
3. K.L.N. Family Brands & Jackie Bunkowske
4. Vector Windows
2018 Volunteers of the Year - Gary and Karalyn Harrington Hunger committee, where over the past
eleven years, have raised almost a
million dollars to help end hunger in
Otter Tail & Wadena Counties.
Gary & Karalyn are also founding
members of the Network Battle Lake
group and in 2018 helped United Way
staff kick off the Battle Lake Campaign.
They were instrumental in organizing the
Battle Lake citywide clean-up day and
bringing natural gas to the community.
Gary & Karalyn are touted as “super
supporters” of the local school district
and the community at large.
They have worked hard on extending the
business season for Battle Lake, by
For United Way, this couple is most
directly connected to us as members
of the Friends of the Friends Fighting
organizing the Pumpkin Festival,
which is now known as Heritage
Days.
Gary & Karalyn are involved
members at Zion Lutheran Church
in Amor, and able to repurpose
older baseball fencing for a softball
field at God’s Acres. Gary is also
the organizer of Rocky’s Fishing
tournament, where kids receive free
fishing poles and tackle and are
partnered with a fishing “captain” to
fish. Gary & Karalyn do all of this for the
love of their community.
This year we are recognizing individuals and agencies who have served United Way during events, initiatives, operations and may have also volunteered or donated in other ways to support our mission to improve lives in Otter Tail & Wadena Counties. 1. Cec Kinzler 2. Dan & Marnie Whitehead 3. Eagle’s Cafe 4. Kevin & Doreen Anderson - Midwest Printing 5. Brunswick Lund Boats
Community Hero Awards Each year United Way of Otter Tail & Wadena Counties spotlights those that serve their community above and beyond.
2018 Rising & Shining Star Awards
Gary & Karalyn Harrington were instrumental in the fundraising and planning surrounding the opening of the Battle Lake Childcare Center.
Battle Lake = $3,458 Henning = $3,458 Pelican Rapids = $3,458 Perham = $5,958 Parkers Prairie = $3,458 New York Mills = $3,458 Wadena = $2,500 Children’s Feeding Backpack Program = $54,700 Perham = $25,000 Fergus Falls = $15,000 Underwood = $2,000 Battle Lake = $3,700 New York Mills = $5,000
Alison Francis, United Way Volunteer and Events Coordinator, Co-Chaired the event with longtime Friends of Friends committee member, Arne Gudmestad. The Friends of Friends committee is grateful for the donors, volunteers and attendees who have made this event such a success these past ten years.
In 2018, the Friends of Friends Fighting Hunger Charity Event celebrated it’s 10th year and distributed $83,906 to help eliminate food insecurities for families and individuals in Otter Tail & Wadena Counties. To date, this committee has distributed $702,129 to 8 local food shelves, the Children’s Weekend Feeding Backpack Program and Project Community Connect Events in Otter Tail & Wadena Counties to help reduce the level of food insecurities for our residents in need. Proceeds from the 10th Annual Event benefited: Food Shelves = $29,206 Fergus Falls = $3,458
West Central Initiative to help
create a community rich in
educational opportunities and
projects for educators and young
children in our local communities.
In 2018, United Way received three
grants from West Central Initiative.
1. ECI Coordinator’s Stipend:
$6,000
2. ECI Project Planning and
Implementation: $6,000
3. Community Oral Health Grant:
$500
In addition to serving as United
Way’s Resource Development
Director, Marsha Erickson also
serves as the Otter Tail County
Early Childhood Initiative
Coordinator. For many years,
United Way has been fortunate
to receive grant funding from
ECI’s projects for 2018 Included:
1. Summer Splash, summer
programming for young
children in Underwood, Battle
Lake, Parkers Prairie, Ottertail
and Richville.
2. Community conversations
around the access to the
childcare crisis.
3. A series of documentary
viewings promoting and
understanding mental health.
4. 600 School Readiness packs
for all children in Otter Tail
County, who complete their
Early Childhood screening.
Page 10
FRIENDS OF FRIENDS FIGHTING HUNGER CELEBRATES 10 YEARS
OTTER TAIL COUNTY EARLY CHILDHOOD INITIATIVE
2018 ANNUAL REPORT
Friends of Friends committee members, Connie & Woody Caspers send out a letter to their many friends each year to raise money for the Children’s Weekend Feeding Backpack Program and food shelves in Otter Tail & Wadena Counties.
Alison Francis, United Way Volunteer & Events Coordinator
2018 not only marked a name rebrand from
Women’s Leadership Council to Women United,
it also marks their 7th anniversary.
Women United, focuses their energy and
resources on achieving a very important goal:
improving childhood literacy in Otter Tail &
Wadena Counties.
Children who can read at grade level by the end
of third grade are much more likely to
experience academic success than those who
cannot.
Minnesota’s future depends on the ability of
every person to participate in the economy. By
giving each student the tools they need to
succeed, we are investing in that future and
helping make it a reality.
Women United coordinates several fundraising
events to support the Dolly Parton Imagination
Library program in Otter Tail County and the
Prescription for Reading program which serves
Otter Tail and Wadena Counties.
Members also take action on issues that hit closest to
home. In 2018, Women United, once again facilitated
Conversations that Matter. This event focused on the
opioid crisis in our rural communities. The event included
an expert panel, including Dr. Bruce Money, Lake Region
Healthcare, Michelle Eldien, Otter Tail County Attorney's
Office and Heather Rosenthal from the Otter Tail County
Child Protection Department. The panel was moderated
by Women United President, Cris Oehler.
Participants had the opportunity to hear panelists
discuss how the addiction to opioids in our communities
escalated and how it is affecting our children, residents
and business community. Women United is looking at
October 2019, for their next Conversation that Matters.
The focus topic will be positive mental health for
children.
When you join Women United, you’ll be a part of a
dynamic, caring group of professionals who are
dedicated to driving and leading community change by
making an impact for women and children. You’ll have
the opportunity to influence your investment and track
the impact you make, network with like-minded influential
women who are passionate about the community, and
develop personal and professional leadership skills.
Contact United Way to learn more.
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WOMEN UNITED
Otter Tail & Wadena County’s 3rd Grade Reading Scores Ranking in Minnesota - Source: Minnesota Compass and MDE
Women United 2018/19 President, Cris Oehler presenting the Women United Literacy Champion award to Fergus Falls resident, John Helland at the 2018 Little Black Dress and Black Tie Affair
120 East Washington Avenue Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Thank you for giving where you live & work
Phone: 218-736-5147 Fax: 218-736-3727 Perham Office: 218-770-9406 Web: uwotw.org Twitter: UWOTW1 Face Book: United Way of Otter Tail & Wadena Counties
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