For the Hub City Times

MARSHFIELD – Marshfield Area United Way’s annual fundraising campaign is underway.

“For the past couple of months Campaign Drive Chairs, Dan and Shauna Dargenio, along with United Way Executive Director, Ashley Winch, have been out in the community advocating and raising money United Way’s work in the community,” a United Way release said.

“We have been touched by all of the people we have met and their tremendous generosity toward neighbors in our community. Being the 2020 Drive Chairs, really opened our eyes to the well-rounded community programs we have here in Marshfield. This experience affirmed our belief that this is a compassionate community.  We are fortunate to be part of it,” stated Dan and Shauna Dargenio.

“The School District of Marshfield was one of the first workplace campaigns to be completed and total employee giving was up from 2019. This is a great sign.  But we still have a long way to go and have several large employer campaigns yet to be completed.  We need everyone’s donation to ensure resources continue to be available to help our community’s most vulnerable populations,” Dan said about the progress of the campaign.

Funds raised during this year’s campaign will be distributed in 2021 to United Way partner programs and initiatives in the Marshfield area.

This past year, Marshfield Area United Way funded 19 partner programs and seven in-house programs or initiatives.

In March, United Way partnered with the Marshfield Area Community Foundation to create the COVID-19 Relief Fund. To date, $30,000 has been provided in funding to help with response to the current pandemic.

Marshfield Area United Way’s service area encompasses the following communities:  Marshfield, Arpin, Auburndale, Chili, Granton, Greenwood, Loyal, Pittsville, Neillsville, Spencer, and Stratford.

“Every dollar given to (Marshfield Area) United Way makes a local impact helping provide things, such as:  food, shelter, warm clothes, counseling for a child who has been abused, resources for parents, and safety for families living in violence,” the release stated.

Tax-deductible contributions can be mailed to United Way, P.O. Box 771, Marshfield, WI, 54449 or visit marshfieldareaunitedway.org and click on the “Donate” button.