United Way St. Croix Valley's early childhood initiative Success By 6 has received a $60,000 donation from the Flowers Family Foundation, Inc. OEM Fabricators, Inc., the recipient of the 2015 Wisconsin Business Achievement Award, received the donation as part of its award and selected Success By 6 as the recipient. The donation was to go to a Wisconsin-based nonprofit of the winner's choosing.

The Wisconsin Business Achievement Award was presented to S. Mark Tyler, OEM President, by the Flowers Family Foundation, Inc. at the State of Wisconsin Business Event in Madison. The award honors the outstanding economic and philanthropic contributions of individuals or entities engaged in free enterprise.

In nominating OEM for the Wisconsin Business Achievement Award, Success By 6 Coordinator Mary Sue Ash described OEM's innovative leadership and integrative approach which led to the company championing Success By 6's Family Friendly Workplace Certification program--a bold initiative that engages the business community to institutionalize support for early childhood development. Success By 6 will use the award to further develop the Family Friendly Workplace Certification program.

OEM is a contract manufacturer providing advanced steel fabrication services for original equipment manufacturers. S. Mark Tyler founded OEM in 1986 in Woodville, Wis. Today, Tyler remains president of the company, operating locations in Woodville, Neillsville, Baldwin and Phillips.

To learn more about the Family Friendly Workplace Certification program visit http://familyfriendlyworkplace.org or contact Ash at msash@unitedwaystcroix.org.

Allina Health Volunteers, Sponsors November Food Shipment

Allina volunteers presenting check to United Way's Jean Needham.

Allina Health has continued its support of United Way's Food Resource Center by volunteering and sponsoring the November 2015 food shipment at the Platinum level. United Way St. Croix Valley is thankful for the support.

Girl Scouts and Dreadwood Help with Food Donations

Girl Scouts sorting Dreadwood donations.

Dreadwood Haunted Forest held its annual food drive for our Food Resource Center during its weekends of operation in October and 2,833 pounds were donated. Local Girl Scouts were some of the volunteers who came and sorted and prepared the food donations for pickup by our partner shelters and pantries.