United Way set sights on repeat of record year

United Way of Northern Ozaukee had a record year last year, raising $412,000, and recognizing the ongoing impact of the pandemic on society, it aims to collect just as much money this year.

“We don’t know what to expect in terms of fundraising,” United Way Executive Director Barbara Bates Nelson said. “Last year we raised the most we had ever raised before. We feel like we’ll be fortunate if we can reach that same goal.”

The need, she said, exists, noting that the agencies that United Way helps fund have seen an increase in people requiring help.

“The struggles continue,” Bates Nelson said. “Those people who were vulnerable still are vulnerable. People who weren’t may have lost their jobs, gotten sick. And we know people are anxious about their jobs and the pandemic.

“We feel like we’ll be fortunate if we can reach that same goal.”

Last year, she said, United Way set a goal of $350,000 and far exceeded that as people reached out to help those in need during the pandemic.

United Way responded, not only funding its agencies but also coordinating and delivering more than 650 meals to people living in shelters, primarily through Advocates of Ozaukee and Family Promise, helping more than 190 people with rent assistance and providing money to three agencies it doesn’t usually help get through what Bates Nelson termed a “rough patch.” 

Unsure of what would happen with fundraising last year, she said, United Way put its normal allocations to agencies on hold. It prioritized the needs, first funding groups that provided food and shelter, then taking on mental health issues before aiding other organizations.

“We did what we had to do to make sure we could react to the needs at the time,” Bates Nelson said.

This year, Bates Nelson said, she believes rent assistance will continue to be a significant need in the community, as will mental health.

“And there are a lot of things we don’t know,” she said.

This year’s campaign began in mid-September with a residential mail campaign, with workplace campaigns beginning soon.  The honorary co-chairmen are Scott and Nicole Nelson and their daughters Drue, Violet and Brynn.

While last year’s campaign was done largely online, Bates Nelson said she hopes to get into workplaces this year to emphasize the needs that are out there.

United Way has also been aggressive with its special events this year, she said, noting that it was unable to hold many events last year.

So far, the organization has hosted three fundraisers — Pianos in Port, a July social in Upper Lake Park, a beer garden and the annual Ozaukee Autumn Open.

“We didn’t know what would happen this fall with Covid-19,” she said. “We wanted to have as many outdoor activities as possible.”

United Way also wanted to avoid conflicts with events hosted by its partner agencies, many of which have moved their fundraising events to fall, she said. 

The golf outing, which was held Sept. 13, raised $32,000, which was a record, Bates Nelson said.

That money has been earmarked to pay for a new position that will be shared by Advocates of Ozaukee, the Lakeshore Regional Child Advocacy Center, Ozaukee Family Services and Sirona Recovery.

The four agencies realized they have many clients in common, and these clients would benefit from having someone to help coordinate their care and services.

“If you’re having issues, it’s very difficult to navigate the system,” Bates Nelson said. “We know this is the way to go to help people. This program will grow.”

United Way is raising $50,000 to fund that position for the coming year. While the golf outing went a significant way toward reaching this, the remainder of the funds are likely to come from a pewter Ship of Hope ornament designed by Port’s Reichert Studios for United Way, Bates Nelson said.

The $25 ornament is available at a number of local businesses, with proceeds going to the United Way’s general fundraising, but money raised through its sale at Kapko’s annual Kids2Kids holiday event will be earmarked for the navigator position.

Bates Nelson said United Way expects to return to its normal allocations to its partner agencies this year, and noted that it has added another nonprofit organization to the list of those they fund each year — the Lakeshore Regional Child Advocacy Center.

Other agencies funded by United Way include the Adult Literacy Center, Advocates of Ozaukee, Balance Inc., Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ozaukee County, Family Sharing, Interfaith Caregivers, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the Ozaukee County Jail Literacy Program, Ozaukee Family Services, Portal Inc. and Sirona Recovery.

The United Way Ship of Hope ornament may be purchased at Drew’s Hardware, Eclectic Avenue, Locally Inspired, Port Washington State Bank, Sharbuno Jewelers, Shoppes of Port and ZuZu Pedals in Port Washington, Frenz Garden Center in Thiensville and Loraines for Her in Mequon.