Oshkosh Area United Way https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/ Thu, 09 Apr 2026 22:29:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.1 https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/UnitedWay_socialmedia_800x800_RGB-100x100.png Oshkosh Area United Way https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/ 32 32 When a Community Shows Up: The Impact of the H4H Hygiene Drive https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/when-a-community-shows-up-the-impact-of-the-h4h-hygiene-drive/ Thu, 09 Apr 2026 22:29:15 +0000 https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/?p=18270 Volunteers from Valley Christian School in Oshkosh, pictured above, were one of many groups who helped sort hygiene donations as part of this year’s Help for the Homeless Hygiene Drive.

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When a need arises, our community responds—and this year’s Help for the Homeless (H4H) Hygiene Drive is a strong example of what that looks like in action.

Led by The Family, this annual drive brings together businesses, schools, churches, and individuals to collect basic hygiene items for neighbors across our region. These items primarily support individuals facing or experiencing homelessness, while also helping others navigating limited resources. Everyday essentials—like soap, shampoo, and toothpaste—can make a meaningful difference in daily life.

This year, Oshkosh Area United Way served as the Area Leader, supporting participating agencies, coordinating volunteers, and hosting the final drop-off location where donations were sorted and prepared for distribution to local partners.

A Community Effort, Working Together

The strength of the H4H Hygiene Drive comes from the number of people and organizations who step in to help—each playing a role in making it work.

This year’s drive reached Oshkosh, Omro, and Winneconne, with 138 collection boxes placed at local businesses, schools, healthcare sites, churches, and more. Nearly 89 full boxes were returned, representing more than $49,000 in donated hygiene items.

These donations now support local partners, including ADVOCAP, Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, COTS, Day By Day Warming Shelter, Father Carr’s Place 2B, Oshkosh Area Community Pantry, Oshkosh Area School District, The Salvation Army, Tiny House Village, and Vida Medical Clinic.

Each organization connects people to essential resources—helping items reach those who need them, when and where it matters most.

Keeping Donations Moving

In past years, much of the behind-the-scenes work of the H4H Hygiene Drive was carried by participating agencies—requiring significant coordination, time, and hands-on effort that could pull staff away from their direct work with individuals and families.

This year, Oshkosh Area United Way helped coordinate volunteers to support those efforts by sharing the opportunity through VolunteerOshkosh.org. The response from the community was strong, with volunteers stepping in to pick up and move donations, then sort—sharing in the work and easing the load during a busy time.

Volunteers worked in two-hour shifts over a day and a half, organizing donations as they arrived from across the community. Even a late winter snowstorm couldn’t slow things down. Because volunteers showed up and partners stayed coordinated, donations continued moving and the timeline stayed on track.

As one volunteer shared:

“Volunteering at the United Way for the Hygiene Drive was an incredibly positive experience. Even with plenty to do, we had the flexibility to work at our own pace. It was both fulfilling and genuinely fun—so much so that it never felt like work.”
— Brandy Zehner, Hoffmaster

From an agency perspective, the added support made a meaningful difference:

“In past years, the amount of coordination and hands-on work required for the Hygiene Drive has been significant for agencies. This year, having volunteers step in to help with sorting and logistics made a noticeable difference. It allowed us to stay focused on the people we serve while still being part of a successful community effort.”
— Hannah Wainio, Winnebago County Public Health

Why This Work Matters

Access to basic hygiene items is something many of us don’t think twice about—but for many households, these essentials can be difficult to afford.

For individuals and families navigating tight budgets, that can mean making difficult trade-offs—choosing between everyday essentials and other needs like rent, food, transportation, or healthcare.

That’s why coordinated, community-wide efforts like this matter. When essential items are available through trusted local organizations, it helps remove one barrier and allows individuals and families to focus on maintaining stability and moving forward.

As Elizabeth Ahnert from the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry shared, “Being a part of the H4H Hygiene Drive is an annual reminder of how strong the Oshkosh community is when it comes to showing up for our neighbors in need. From volunteers giving their time, to our community coming together across a variety of sectors, the H4H Hygiene Drive makes an inspiring and impactful collaboration that truly makes a difference.”

How This Work Continues

Efforts like this are made possible through the continued support of those who give, volunteer, and partner with Oshkosh Area United Way—helping make coordination like this possible so community efforts continue to reach the people who need them most.

Oshkosh Area United Way helps support and connect that work by coordinating volunteers through VolunteerOshkosh.org, aligning logistics, and working alongside partners so donations move efficiently to the organizations serving our community.

This approach aligns with the work behind the Oshkosh Area United Way Community Vault, a shared system designed to help essential items move quickly and equitably through partner organizations—reducing gaps and improving access across our community.

A Community Effort That Continues

The impact of the H4H Hygiene Drive is something our entire community can take pride in—from the leadership of The Family to the businesses, sponsors, volunteers, and nonprofit partners who made it possible, including support from Festival Foods, McCain, Northstar Dental Group, Security Luebke Roofing, and Fox 11.

Oshkosh Area United Way is proud to work alongside these efforts, helping connect the pieces so support reaches people when it’s needed most.

If you’re interested in learning more about the most urgent needs in our community—or how to get involved through volunteering, giving, or partnership—we’d welcome the conversation. You can call us at (920) 235-8560 or email oauw@oshkoshunitedway.org.

We’re connecting resources with the people and organizations who need them—when it matters most.

United is the Way we move forward—together. 

Learn more:

Explore how everyday support and coordinated efforts help connect resources with the people who need them most.

The post When a Community Shows Up: The Impact of the H4H Hygiene Drive appeared first on Oshkosh Area United Way.

]]> When a Community Shows Up: The Impact of the H4H Hygiene Drive https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/oshkosh-area-hygiene-drive-community-effort/ Thu, 09 Apr 2026 22:26:16 +0000 https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/?p=18208 Volunteers from Valley Christian School in Oshkosh, pictured above, were one of many groups who helped sort hygiene donations as part of this year’s Help for the Homeless Hygiene Drive.

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When a need arises, our community responds—and this year’s Help for the Homeless (H4H) Hygiene Drive is a strong example of what that looks like in action.

Led by The Family, this annual drive brings together businesses, schools, churches, and individuals to collect basic hygiene items for neighbors across our region. These items primarily support individuals facing or experiencing homelessness, while also helping others navigating limited resources. Everyday essentials—like soap, shampoo, and toothpaste—can make a meaningful difference in daily life.

This year, Oshkosh Area United Way served as the Area Leader, supporting participating agencies, coordinating volunteers, and hosting the final drop-off location where donations were sorted and prepared for distribution to local partners.

A Community Effort, Working Together

The strength of the H4H Hygiene Drive comes from the number of people and organizations who step in to help—each playing a role in making it work.

This year’s drive reached Oshkosh, Omro, and Winneconne, with 138 collection boxes placed at local businesses, schools, healthcare sites, churches, and more. Nearly 89 full boxes were returned, representing more than $49,000 in donated hygiene items.

These donations now support local partners, including ADVOCAP, Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, COTS, Day By Day Warming Shelter, Father Carr’s Place 2B, Oshkosh Area Community Pantry, Oshkosh Area School District, The Salvation Army, Tiny House Village, and Vida Medical Clinic.

Each organization connects people to essential resources—helping items reach those who need them, when and where it matters most.

Keeping Donations Moving

In past years, much of the behind-the-scenes work of the H4H Hygiene Drive was carried by participating agencies—requiring significant coordination, time, and hands-on effort that could pull staff away from their direct work with individuals and families.

This year, Oshkosh Area United Way helped coordinate volunteers to support those efforts by sharing the opportunity through VolunteerOshkosh.org. The response from the community was strong, with volunteers stepping in to pick up and move donations, then sort—sharing in the work and easing the load during a busy time.

Volunteers worked in two-hour shifts over a day and a half, organizing donations as they arrived from across the community. Even a late winter snowstorm couldn’t slow things down. Because volunteers showed up and partners stayed coordinated, donations continued moving and the timeline stayed on track.

As one volunteer shared:

“Volunteering at the United Way for the Hygiene Drive was an incredibly positive experience. Even with plenty to do, we had the flexibility to work at our own pace. It was both fulfilling and genuinely fun—so much so that it never felt like work.”
— Brandy Zehner, Hoffmaster

From an agency perspective, the added support made a meaningful difference:

“In past years, the amount of coordination and hands-on work required for the Hygiene Drive has been significant for agencies. This year, having volunteers step in to help with sorting and logistics made a noticeable difference. It allowed us to stay focused on the people we serve while still being part of a successful community effort.”
— Hannah Wainio, Winnebago County Public Health

Why This Work Matters

Access to basic hygiene items is something many of us don’t think twice about—but for many households, these essentials can be difficult to afford.

For individuals and families navigating tight budgets, that can mean making difficult trade-offs—choosing between everyday essentials and other needs like rent, food, transportation, or healthcare.

That’s why coordinated, community-wide efforts like this matter. When essential items are available through trusted local organizations, it helps remove one barrier and allows individuals and families to focus on maintaining stability and moving forward.

As Elizabeth Ahnert from the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry shared, “Being a part of the H4H Hygiene Drive is an annual reminder of how strong the Oshkosh community is when it comes to showing up for our neighbors in need. From volunteers giving their time, to our community coming together across a variety of sectors, the H4H Hygiene Drive makes an inspiring and impactful collaboration that truly makes a difference.”

How This Work Continues

Efforts like this are made possible through the continued support of those who give, volunteer, and partner with Oshkosh Area United Way—helping make coordination like this possible so community efforts continue to reach the people who need them most.

Oshkosh Area United Way helps support and connect that work by coordinating volunteers through VolunteerOshkosh.org, aligning logistics, and working alongside partners so donations move efficiently to the organizations serving our community.

This approach aligns with the work behind the Oshkosh Area United Way Community Vault, a shared system designed to help essential items move quickly and equitably through partner organizations—reducing gaps and improving access across our community.

A Community Effort That Continues

The impact of the H4H Hygiene Drive is something our entire community can take pride in—from the leadership of The Family to the businesses, sponsors, volunteers, and nonprofit partners who made it possible, including support from Festival Foods, McCain, Northstar Dental Group, Security Luebke Roofing, and Fox 11.

Oshkosh Area United Way is proud to work alongside these efforts, helping connect the pieces so support reaches people when it’s needed most.

If you’re interested in learning more about the most urgent needs in our community—or how to get involved through volunteering, giving, or partnership—we’d welcome the conversation. You can call us at (920) 235-8560 or email oauw@oshkoshunitedway.org.

We’re connecting resources with the people and organizations who need them—when it matters most.

United is the Way we move forward—together. 

Learn more:

Explore how everyday support and coordinated efforts help connect resources with the people who need them most.

The post When a Community Shows Up: The Impact of the H4H Hygiene Drive appeared first on Oshkosh Area United Way.

]]> Collaboration in Action: Bigs With Badges Thank-You Project https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/bigs-with-badges-oshkosh-united-way/ Thu, 12 Mar 2026 20:54:53 +0000 https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/?p=18136 Bigs with Badges mentor and Little holding a handmade thank-you card during an Oshkosh Area United Way gratitude activity.

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Last week, Oshkosh Area United Way spent time with youth and mentors in the Bigs With Badges program through Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Wisconsin for an activity centered on gratitude and community support.

OAUW CEO Heidi Thomas kicked things off by reading the children’s book Ten Thank-You Letters by Daniel Kirk. The group talked about why saying “thank you” matters and the many reasons someone might send a thank-you note — when someone helps them, gives a gift, or does something kind.

The conversation also turned to how generosity shows up in our community. Heidi asked the kids if they had noticed the bananas and other fresh fruit sometimes available at school. Many nodded and shared that they enjoy having the snacks.

She explained that Oshkosh Area United Way works with community partners like Oshkosh Area Community Pantry, which runs the Food for Kids program, helping make healthy snacks like fresh fruit available to students during the school day.

After the discussion, the students and their Bigs got creative making thank-you cards for the donors and partners who help make programs like youth mentoring and Food for Kids possible. A few even drew fruit on their cards — a fun reminder of how generosity can show up in everyday ways for students.

Through partnerships like Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Youth Mentoring Programs, supported by Oshkosh Area United Way’s Lifelong Learning focus area, young people gain encouragement, connection, and opportunities to grow.

Moments like this are a great reminder that when our community unites to give, mentor, and support one another, the impact reaches far beyond a single program.

United is the Way.

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]]> When Extra Supplies Become Shared Solutions https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/community-vault-shared-solutions/ Fri, 13 Feb 2026 18:04:56 +0000 https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/?p=17915 The Winnebago Area Literacy Council (WALC) team drops off gently used books at Oshkosh Area United Way to be shared at community outreach events, helping encourage area kids to read.

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Across our community, organizations and community members often have extra supplies—and at the same time, individuals and families are going without.

An agency may have extra cleaning supplies or paper products after a large donation. A school might collect donations that don’t fit the age group of the students it serves. A business may rotate inventory and have essential products that are slightly imperfect but completely usable. A new parent may open a closet and realize they have more clothes than they could ever wear after a baby shower.

Meanwhile, another neighbor may need exactly those items—today, yet without connection, those two realities rarely meet.

The gap between those two realities isn’t about generosity. It’s about coordination.

For many households in our community who are living paycheck to paycheck, access to everyday essentials can make a meaningful difference.

Closing the Gap Between Extra and Essential

That’s where the Oshkosh Area United Way (OAUW) Community Vault comes in.

The Community Vault helps close the gap between what’s available and what’s needed—quickly and thoughtfully. It connects businesses and community donors with trusted partner agencies, schools, and organizations. Those partners then distribute items directly to the individuals and families they serve, making sure resources are paired with the right support and services.

As stewards of the Community Vault, OAUW listens to partners, identifies patterns in need, and coordinates distribution so resources move efficiently through our community. When one organization has extra and another identifies a need, we help bridge that gap.

It’s practical. It’s local. And it’s designed to keep working.

The Community Vault doesn’t stand alone. It supports and strengthens other efforts already happening across our community.

When supplies are collected through the Oshkosh Back 2 School Fair, when the Help for the Homeless Hygiene Drive mobilizes hundreds of donors, or when the Hygiene Task Force identifies everyday gaps, the Community Vault helps keep those resources moving. After the event ends or the drive wraps up, items don’t sit on shelves—they continue flowing through a shared system to partner agencies who can put them to use right away.

That’s how generosity lasts longer than a single moment.

What Collaboration Looks Like

Collaboration shows up in many ways across our community.

Sometimes it’s local agencies like Christine Ann Domestic Abuse Services, Winnebago Area Literacy Council, Father Carr’s Place 2B, Oshkosh Kids Foundation, and Vida sharing extra blankets, baby products, gently used books, and hygiene items so they can continue circulating to individuals and families who need them.

Sometimes it’s companies like Kimberly-Clark, Cummins Inc., Women’s Inspired Network, WI, and Hydrite Chemical Co. stepping up with donations of diapers, deodorant, and body wash.

It’s local dentists and orthodontists—like Vivid Orthodontics and Synergy Dental—responding to outreach with dental hygiene supplies that support health and confidence.

It’s companies, churches, service clubs, and community groups hosting collection drives—like Hoffmaster’s school supply drive for the Oshkosh Back 2 School Fair, Fortifi Bank’s diaper and baby wipe drive, or Miravida Living residents’ book drive—and reaching out ahead of time so the items collected reflect what partner agencies need most. That simple step helps every drive make a stronger impact.

And it’s neighbors, too:

  • A community member dropping off extra hygiene items or socks they picked up on sale.
  • A business like Fleet Farm, Silver Star Brands, and Bee Bella contributing products that can’t be sold but are still perfectly usable.
  • A family choosing to pass along duplicate baby shower gifts so another household can benefit.
  • An OASD student like Brody, who turned his holiday light display—Brody’s Christmas Lights for Charity—into a waterproof glove collection to help Oshkosh area students stay warm.

On their own, these items don’t solve everything. But united, they remove one barrier at a time.

From Extra Inventory to Everyday Stability

The Community Vault isn’t just about collecting donations. It’s about coordination.

When a partner agency meets with an individual or family and identifies a need, they don’t have to start from scratch. They don’t have to divert limited program dollars to purchase basic supplies. They don’t have to send someone across town to search for help.

Instead, they can say, “Yes—we have that.”

That simple answer changes the conversation.

It means a parent leaves with diapers and wipes in hand. It means a child has a toothbrush for school the next morning. It means hygiene items, blankets, and other household needs are available without unnecessary delay.

Through this coordinated approach, we:

  • Speed up and expand access to essential items where they’re needed most
  • Stretch nonprofit budgets further
  • Make better use of supplies already in our community
  • Cut down on waste

By strengthening access to everyday essentials, we are advancing Health & Wellness and supporting Enabling Resources—key pillars of our Community Impact Strategy. Reliable access to basic needs helps remove barriers so individuals and families can focus on work, school, stability, and long-term progress.

Why This Matters

For individuals and families navigating a tough moment, this system supports dignity. It reduces stress when it matters most. It allows agencies to respond quickly and respectfully.

For donors and partners, this is stewardship in action.

Your support helps build the connective system that turns generosity—at every level—into coordinated impact. It allows surplus inventory, thoughtful donations, and everyday acts of kindness to move through a structured, responsive network.

This isn’t about volume. It’s about flow.

When resources move efficiently and thoughtfully through our community, we strengthen the conditions that allow community members to reach their full potential.

Across Oshkosh and the surrounding area, there will always be moments when one person or organization has more than they need—and another has less than enough. When we work together, we close that gap.

Extra supplies become shared solutions.

And together, we build a community where support moves as quickly as need.

Inspired to Help?

If you have extra supplies to share or are interested in hosting a collection drive, we’d love to connect. Donations can be dropped off at Oshkosh Area United Way, 16 Washington Ave. 

Just give us a quick call at (920) 235-8560 or email oauw@oshkoshunitedway.org so we can make sure a staff member is available to assist you.

Emily from the HOME Base Community Impact Team picks up essential supplies from the Oshkosh Area United Way Community Vault to support the clients they serve.

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]]> Leadership Transition at Oshkosh Area United Way: Welcoming Our Next President & CEO https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/leadership-transition-at-oshkosh-area-united-way-welcoming-our-next-president-ceo/ Mon, 05 Jan 2026 18:32:28 +0000 https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/?p=17853 Beth Oswald (left) and Heidi Thomas (right) together in the Community Vault — a space that reflects the heart of our work and the leadership transition ahead.

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Dear Friends of Oshkosh Area United Way,

As Oshkosh Area United Way continues to build momentum in our work and partnerships, I want to share an important update about
the organization’s next chapter. After thoughtful conversations with my family, colleagues, and our Board of Directors, I have made the personal decision to retire from my role as President and CEO, effective January 5, 2026.

I made the decision after a great deal of reflection. Knowing the organization is well positioned for the future and supported by an incredible team and a strong board makes this decision feel like the right one, at the right time. I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family and finally giving attention to personal projects I’ve long set aside. I’m deeply grateful for the trust and partnership of my team members, board of directors, donors, volunteers, community partners, and the meaningful work that has made this chapter so fulfilling. I am committed to doing everything possible to ensure a smooth transition.

Over the past three and a half years, I have been proud to work closely with staff, partners, and volunteers to strengthen collaboration and better align our impact with the community’s greatest needs. That progress has been a collective effort, and I know it will continue with the same dedication and care.

With the full support of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to share that Heidi Thomas, our Community Impact Manager, will become Oshkosh Area United Way’s next President and CEO on January 5, 2026. Heidi’s leadership in shaping our Community Impact Strategy made her a natural fit for this role. Her leadership has been essential to our organization’s evolution.

Drawing on her experience leading change and managing diverse teams, she has helped modernize how we approach community impact and will continue to evolve United Way’s role as an advocate, connector, problem-solver, and mobilizer to maximize lasting impact in southern Winnebago County. The Board and I share confidence in the direction she will bring in this next chapter.

To support continuity, I will stay on part-time for the next few months to work with Heidi and our team to ensure an intentional and seamless transition.

Thank you to our Board, staff, partners, and community members for your dedication to this work. Leading this organization has been an honor, and I am confident that under Heidi’s leadership, Oshkosh Area United Way will continue to strengthen connections and respond to the needs of southern Winnebago County.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve—and for the shared commitment to building a community where every person has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

With gratitude,
Beth Oswald
President and CEO
Oshkosh Area United Way

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]]> A Night of Light, Community, and Impact: Highlights from the 23rd Annual OAUW Race for the Light https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/a-night-of-light-community-and-impact-highlights-from-the-23rd-annual-oauw-race-for-the-light/ Thu, 11 Dec 2025 20:35:42 +0000 https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/?p=17823 Participants bundled up in holiday-themed outfits—Grinch costumes, bright sweaters, hats, and light-up accessories—stand together before the Race for the Light.

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]]> More than 400 runners, walkers, and volunteers, came together on Saturday night to make the 23rd Annual Race for the Light—an Oshkosh holiday tradition—one to remember. The EAA Grounds, brightened by the Oshkosh Celebration of Lights, provided the perfect backdrop for an evening filled with cheerful holiday gear and the kind of energy that only comes from a community showing up for one another.

This family-friendly event supports Oshkosh Area United Way, helping to make sure everyone in our community has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Whether you joined us again this year or experienced the race for the first time, your presence made the evening meaningful and full of joy. From those on the course to those supporting registration, cheering from the sidelines, or handing out refreshments, the sense of community was felt throughout.

Here are a few moments that stood out:

Festive Gear That Lit Up the Course

Despite bundling up for the cold, participants still found ways to show off their Grinch costumes, holiday sweaters, and glowing accessories. The creativity—and commitment to festive fashion—brought color and charm to every step of the route, making the night that much brighter.

Community Spirit You Could Feel

From the starting line countdown to the final stretch, the encouragement from volunteers and spectators carried participants along the trail. This event has always been about more than the run—it’s about coming together in support of our neighbors.

Meaningful Impact for Local Families

Thanks to everyone who participated, volunteered, sponsored, or donated, the Race for the Light helps fuel Oshkosh Area United Way’s work across southern Winnebago County. This year, we also received donations of much-needed waterproof gloves, which are already on their way to local agencies supporting individuals and families.

If you missed the chance to donate, we are still collecting waterproof gloves and mittens for our Community Vault.

This event is more than a walk through the lights or a festive run—it’s about coming together to create opportunity for our community.

A Smooth and Joyful Event—Thanks to Our Volunteers

Nearly 20 volunteers helped with registration, glove donation collection, course guidance, setup, and post-race support. Their enthusiasm helped make the evening welcoming and enjoyable for everyone. We’re grateful for the time, care, and heart they brought to the event.

Captured Memories to Revisit

The glow of the course, the excitement of the starting line, and the joyful moments along the way are all captured in this year’s race photos and video.

Check out Race Highlights Here!

Keep the holiday spirit going and mark your calendar for next year’s race on Saturday, December 5, 2026. Whether you’re joining us again or taking part for the first time, we’d love to see you there.

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]]> United Is the Way: Meaningful Ways to Support Your Community https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/united-is-the-way-meaningful-ways-to-support-your-community/ Thu, 13 Nov 2025 21:58:13 +0000 https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/?p=17731 Looking for simple ways to support your community? We’ve pulled together a short guide on how you can make a local impact—no matter your time, budget, or interests.

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No matter your budget, schedule, or interests, there are many meaningful ways to support your neighbors through Oshkosh Area United Way.

At Oshkosh Area United Way (OAUW), we believe that when our community works together, we can remove barriers, expand access, and create opportunities for every person in Oshkosh and the surrounding area to reach their full potential. Over the past year, we’ve listened to our partners, reviewed local data, and looked closely at where gaps still exist. Because of that work, we have refreshed our three focus areas—Lifelong Learning, Health & Wellness, and Enabling Resources.

We’ll be sharing more about each focus area in the months ahead as we continue rolling out our updated Community Impact Strategy.
These focus areas reflect what our community needs most right now and where we feel OAUW can make an impact. And because Oshkosh Area United Way collaborates across sectors, strengthens shared efforts, and invests in initiatives with measurable impact, your support goes farther and reaches the places where it matters most.

Here are a few high-impact ways to get involved:

1. Donate Online: A Secure Way to Make an Immediate Impact

A gift to Oshkosh Area United Way fuels local initiatives that strengthen families, support youth, improve health and well-being, and connect people to essential resources.

Your gift—whether one-time or monthly—helps create sustainable, measurable change across all three focus areas.

Donate anytime by clicking HERE.  

2. Give Through Your United Way Worplace Campaign

Workplace campaigns make it easy to support local needs in a consistent, meaningful way. Payroll deduction lets you give a little at a time, and many employers match donations—helping your support go even further.

Many employers also offer matching gift programs throughout the year. Check with your Human Resources office to see if your gift—and your impact—can be doubled or even tripled through a matching gift opportunity.

If your workplace is already partnered with us, thank you. If not, contact us, we’d be glad to help explore whether a campaign might be a good fit. 

3. Additional Ways to Give: Donor-Advised Funds, IRA Gifts, & Legacy Giving  

There are several other simple, tax-advantaged ways you can support Oshkosh Area United Way:

  • Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)
    If you have a DAF through a community foundation or providers like Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, or Thrivent Charitable (Thrivent Choice), you can recommend a grant to OAUW at any time.
  • IRA Charitable Rollovers (Qualified Charitable Distributions)
    For donors aged 70½ or older, giving directly from an IRA can offer tax advantages while supporting local needs.
  • Planned Giving
    Including OAUW in your will or estate plans—whether a percentage or a specific gift—is a simple way to support long-term community impact for generations to come.

To learn more about any of these options, or to share your intent, please contact us—we’re here to help explore what works best for you.

Organization Details:
Legal Name: Oshkosh Area United Way
Tax ID: 39-1017908
Address: 16 Washington Ave, Oshkosh WI 54901 

4. Donate Essential Items to Our Community Vault

Our Community Vault provides agencies, schools, and organizations with basic essentials for local families—items like hygiene supplies, diapers, cleaning products, and more.
Host a collection drive or, if you’re a Thrivent member, you can even use your Thrivent Action Team dollars to purchase supplies. Our more urgent needs include full-size deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, body wash, shaving cream and razors, laundry detergent, and baby wipes.

Donations can be dropped off at Oshkosh Area United Way, 16 Washington Avenue, Oshkosh, WI 54901.

We recommend calling ahead at (920) 235-8560 or emailing oauw@oshkoshunitedway.org so a staff member can be available to assist you.

Learn more about our Community Vault by clicking HERE.

5. Volunteer Your Time and Skills

Whether you’re looking for a one-time project, youth mentoring, event support, or opportunities to use your skills to help others, there’s a place for you.

Check with your employer, as many encourage volunteering through paid volunteer time or team volunteer days—another great way to give back while connecting with coworkers.

Browse local opportunities in our area at VolunteerOshkosh.org.

6. Stay Connected to Us on Social Media

Following OAUW on social media is a simple way to stay informed, learn about community needs, and help spread the word.

Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram
YouTube

7. Attend OAUW Events Like Race for the Light on December 6

Community events bring people together, and our 23rd Annual Race for the Light is one of the most festive ways to support OAUW. Join us on December 6 for a 5K Fun Run/Walk through the Celebration of Lights, starting at the EAA Youth Education Center.

Your participation helps support our work across the community.

Register by Monday, November 17 to guarantee a race t-shirt!

Have Questions or Want to Explore Your Giving Options?

If you have questions about ways to give or would like help exploring your options, we’re here to help.

Contact us at 920-235-8560 or oauw@oshkoshunitedway.org.

Together, We Help Every Person Reach Their Full Potential

When you give, volunteer, advocate, or engage with Oshkosh Area United Way, you help ensure every person in our community has access to the support they need to reach their full potential.

Thank you for being part of this shared work.

United is the Way.

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]]> Oshkosh Area United Way Welcomes Kate Stel as Donor Engagement Manager https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/oshkosh-area-united-way-welcomes-kate-stel-as-donor-engagement-manager/ Mon, 15 Sep 2025 14:52:42 +0000 https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/?p=17592 Oshkosh Area United Way (OAUW) is excited to welcome Kate Stel as its new Donor Engagement Manager. In this role, Kate will focus on building strong relationships with donors and […]

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Oshkosh Area United Way (OAUW) is excited to welcome Kate Stel as its new Donor Engagement Manager. In this role, Kate will focus on building strong relationships with donors and supporting long-term growth for United Way’s work in the community.

Kate brings more than six years of experience in nonprofit development and advancement. Most recently, she worked with the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, where she oversaw donor communications, guided stewardship practices, and supported initiatives to strengthen community partnerships.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts from St. Norbert College and a master’s degree from the University of Chicago.

Kate is also passionate about education, literacy, and environmental conservation. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, exploring local trails with her dog Ruby, and spending time with her family.

“Kate’s experience in donor relations and her thoughtful approach to building connections make her a wonderful addition to our team,” said Beth Oswald, CEO of Oshkosh Area United Way. “We are excited to welcome her and look forward to the ways she will help connect donors, partners, and neighbors in creating lasting impact across our community.”

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]]> United for Basic Needs: Closing Gaps, Meeting Needs Together https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/united-for-basic-needs-closing-gaps-meeting-needs-together/ Wed, 20 Aug 2025 22:04:24 +0000 https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/?p=17426 A few members of the newly formed Hygiene Task Force tour the Oshkosh Area United Way Community Vault, learning how donated supplies are organized and shared with local nonprofits, schools, and agencies to support families in Oshkosh and the surrounding area.

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At Oshkosh Area United Way (OAUW), our Community Vault serves as a central collection point for essential items like hygiene products, diapers, cleaning and laundry supplies, school items, and seasonal gear. For years, OAUW has coordinated basic need drives to support local families. When we moved into our current location—which included a vault from its previous life as a bank—we converted it into what is now the OAUW Community Vault, creating a permanent, centralized space to house donated items for the community.

By having one dedicated space where nonprofits, schools, service agencies, and community organizations can access donated supplies year-round, we’re helping stretch limited budgets and meet urgent needs for individuals and families in Oshkosh and the surrounding area.

This centralized approach:

  • Simplifies distribution for agencies and makes it easier for families to receive what they need, when they need it.
  • Promotes equitable access to resources—for example, one organization might receive an abundance of notebooks but no pencils, while another has plenty of pencils but few notebooks. By coordinating together, we help close those gaps so families are more equally served.
  • Minimizes duplication of community efforts, helping resources reach the areas of greatest need.
  • Reduces donor fatigue by creating a shared system for giving that maximizes every contribution.
  • Reflects collective effort from local donors, agencies, educators, and social workers working together to build a stronger safety net.

 

Earlier this month, we welcomed members of the newly formed Hygiene Task Force to tour our Community Vault. With over 15 organizations already involved—and room for others to join—this is the largest coordinated effort of its kind in our area to support individuals and families with basic hygiene needs, with an emphasis on area youth.

Why the Hygiene Task Force Was Created

Over the past three years, community advocates in Winnebago County have been working together to find system-level solutions to help prevent and address childhood trauma. Guided by data from the Winnebago County Overdose Fatality Review, the 

Oshkosh Area School District’s Attendance Matters Campaign, the Winnebago County Community Health Assessment, and the Community Health Improvement Plan, six recommendations emerged.

Each has become a working committee focused on removing barriers for elementary students and their families. The Hygiene Task Force is one of these committees—born out of the understanding that meeting basic needs is foundational for children to reach their full potential.

Goals for the Coming Year

The Hygiene Task Force is focusing on three areas:

  • Personal Hygiene Items: Expanding access to free, culturally appropriate products for students and families, while reducing stigma and creating a sustainable, consistent process for distribution.
  • Clothing: Partnering with the traveling Community Clothes Closet to ensure students have access to clean, well-fitting, and weather-appropriate clothing throughout Wisconsin’s changing seasons.
  • Laundry: Exploring ways to provide supplies and access to laundry services, including a mentorship program to teach middle school students how to do laundry, and building partnerships with local laundromats.

How the Community Vault Supports This Work

The Community Vault already houses personal hygiene items, seasonal gear, and laundry supplies that are free to access for community organizations and schools. By aligning with the Hygiene Task Force, we can help streamline how products are collected and distributed. This reduces the burden on schools and agencies, prevents duplication, and ensures a more coordinated and sustainable process—so that when families need help, the system is ready to respond.

Why this Matters

According to the latest ALICE data, 42% of households in Oshkosh and 38% in Omro cannot afford their basic needs (compared to 35% statewide). These households often face impossible choices—like deciding whether to pay for food, utilities, car repairs, or medications. Schools see the impact firsthand, but they cannot do this alone. Meeting basic needs is a community-wide responsibility, and when we come together, we open the door for everyone to thrive.

Want to Donate Supplies?

With feedback from area agencies, schools, and organizations, we’ve created a list of the most needed items. You can view our full donation list at https://bit.ly/StockTheVault.

Donations can be dropped off at Oshkosh Area United Way, 16 Washington Avenue.

Please call ahead at (920) 235-8560 to make sure a staff member is available to assist you.

What’s Next

The Hygiene Task Force is just getting started. If you’d like to learn more about addressing and preventing childhood trauma—or want to get involved in the Hygiene Task Force—reach out to Hannah Wainio at hwainio@winnebagocountywi.gov.

United is the Way to stretch support in our area.

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]]> Oshkosh Area United Way Resumes Fiscal Sponsorship of Back 2 School Fair https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/oshkosh-area-united-way-resumes-fiscal-sponsorship-of-back-2-school-fair/ Mon, 11 Aug 2025 20:55:10 +0000 https://www.oshkoshunitedway.org/?p=17414 Heidi Thomas, Community Impact Manager at Oshkosh Area United Way, stands alongside Ruth Mauritz from the Back 2 School Fair, smiling as they help unload colorful backpacks, notebooks, and hygiene supplies. The two are surrounded by boxes and bags of donated items being delivered to OAUW’s office—just a glimpse of the generosity helping local students start the school year with confidence.

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Oshkosh Area United Way (OAUW) has resumed its role as the administrative and fiscal sponsor of the Oshkosh Community Back 2 School Fair (B2SF), an annual event that helps local students start the school year with confidence.

Established in 1998, the B2SF now supports more than 1,200 low-income students each August at Oshkosh North High School, with remaining supplies distributed to additional students on a waitlist. Students receive backpacks, school supplies, clothing, hygiene items, Rogan’s Shoes vouchers, haircuts, and access to local services—all in a welcoming, shopping-style environment.

The Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh, which previously served as the event’s fiscal sponsor, remains a valued and active member of the planning committee. This continued collaboration reflects the strength of community partnerships in meeting student needs.

As the administrative and fiscal sponsor, Oshkosh Area United Way helps drive operational efficiency by managing donations, supporting logistics, and overseeing essential behind-the-scenes operations. This ensures that resources are aligned, efforts are streamlined, and support reaches families equitably. OAUW also funds over 500 Rogan’s Shoes vouchers, which can be used alongside Rogan’s Buy One, Get One Half Off promotion, and plays an active role in event planning and outreach.

“This event takes a little of the financial burden off so that I don’t have to choose between gas and groceries or their school supplies,” shared one parent. “It gave my kids more than supplies—it gave them confidence and smiles on their faces.”

Led by a planning committee of more than 20 agencies, educators, social workers, and volunteers, the B2SF exemplifies the power of collaboration. Additional support from organizations like the Salvation Army of Oshkosh, St. Vincent de Paul, and the Community Clothes Closet ensures that families on the waitlist still receive essential resources.

“United is the Way to give every child a confident start to the school year,” said Heidi Thomas, Community Impact Manager at Oshkosh Area United Way and planning committee member. “We’re proud to work alongside so many dedicated partners to make this event possible.”

To support the Oshkosh Back 2 School Fair or learn more, visit www.oshkoshunitedway.org/b2sf.

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