	United Way St. Croix Valley
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	Your Community News - September 2015 www.unitedwaystcroix.org



Contents United Way Kicks off 2015 Campaign

Remembering our Leader

It is with heavy hearts that we remember our Executive Director, John M. Coughlin, who passed unexpectedly Saturday, Aug. 22.

John worked as Executive Director of United Way St. Croix Valley for more than 20 years and was currently serving as the Board President of United Way of Wisconsin. He was instrumental in launching several key programs in his Executive Director role, including the Food Resource Center, Success By 6 and Grace Place Shelter. During his tenure he raised nearly $18 million dollars for nonprofit programs in St. Croix, Pierce and Polk Counties. John will be deeply missed and his dedication to his community will be felt for years to come.

We greatly appreciate all of the well wishes during this difficult time. We will work to continue to fulfill John's mission of improving lives in Western Wisconsin.

- United Way St. Croix Valley Board and Staff

United Way Kicks off 2015 Campaign

United Way St. Croix Valley will launch its 2015 Campaign on September 14. The annual fundraising appeal, which funds United Way initiatives and local nonprofit programs and services serving Pierce, Polk and St. Croix County residents, will run through November 13.

"We enjoy a wonderful quality of life here in the St. Croix Valley, but looking deeper reveals a number of areas of growing concern," said Board President Dan Draxler. "The relatively high household income in some counties obscures the fact that over 10% of households in Western Wisconsin are living in poverty," he continued.

United Way St. Croix Valley's three focus areas are meeting basic and emergency needs, strengthening children and families and promoting health and independence. "With our mission of uniting communities, focusing resources and inspiring people to measurably improve lives in Western Wisconsin, United Way St. Croix Valley is uniquely positioned to provide solutions for the most important needs in the communities we serve," said Draxler. Each year the fall campaign funds approximately 60 nonprofit agencies and programs.

As part of the Campaign launch, the United Way Board and staff invite the community to remember United Way St. Croix Valley's late Executive Director, John Coughlin, by making a one-time memorial donation to United Way St. Croix Valley. Coughlin passed unexpectedly on August 22.

For more information about United Way St. Croix Valley or this year's campaign, visit www.unitedwaystcroix.org or contact Resource Development Manager Jean Needham at 715-377-0203 ext. 105 or jneedham@unitedwaystcroix.org.