Two Western Wisconsin United Way organizations announced their merger earlier this year, and opened their new office on Wednesday.
Nearly two months ago the United Way of St. Croix Valley and Dunn County United Way announced they would combine their efforts and become United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys. The organizations officially began their operations as one entity on July 1.
On Wednesday, the organization held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new location on Wilson Avenue in Menomonie. According to a WEAU report, Executive Director Steve McCarthy says their employees have transitioned well and are turning their focus to United Ways’ fall campaign.
The combined organization now covers six counties in Western Wisconsin. When making the original announcement, Executive Director McCarthy said “By combining our efforts, we can better serve our communities, mobilize resources, and create lasting solutions to the challenges facing our region.”
The merger will allow the newly unified organization to streamline their operations and maximize the impact of the donations they receive. It will also allow the organization to pool the strengths and expertises of their employees to ensure they’re addressing problems in the most efficient way possible.
At the ribbon cutting, Executive Director McCarthy said “United Way fights for health, financial stability for everyone here in Western Wisconsin. We’ll look at really focusing on what the needs are here in Dunn and Pepin and really help make sure nonprofit gets strengthened and people get served.”
United Way is one of the largest privately funded charities in the world. The nonprofit has a presence in nearly every community in the United States as well as 37 other countries and territories.