Local Health Care Executives Dance for a Cause
The National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin recently hosted its 2011 Spotlight on Life Gala at the InterContinental Milwaukee. Seven local health care executives and doctors participated in a ballroom dance competition with professionally trained partners from Fred Astaire Dance Studios. The competition was modeled after Dancing with the Stars television show. They danced to support organ donation, and to promote awareness of Wisconsin’s new online donor registry (www.YesIWillWisconsin.com), as well as the National Kidney Foundation.
“This event surpassed our expectations. Not only did it serve to highlight the need to increase organ donation, but it united donors, recipients, and community members in supporting one very worthwhile cause,” said Joanne MacInnes, event-co chair and chair of the NKFW Board of Directors. “The fact that so many health care executives and professionals took time out of their hectic lives to train for this competition displayed the importance of organ donation, not to mention their dancing talents.”
The judges, a panel of local celebrities, transplant recipients, dancers and donors, determined Colleen McCarthy, director of Organ & Tissue Donation, at the Blood Center of Wisconsin, to be the winner. McCarthy danced the Cha Cha. The 2011 Spotlight on Life Award was given to the Medical College of Wisconsin.
Any one who makes at least a $39 donation to the National Kidney Foundation of Wisconsin will receive a certificate for a free dance lesson at any Wisconsin Fred Astaire Dance Studio valued at $80. To donate, or for more information, visit www.spotlightonlife.org.
Last chance to help this Milwaukee family in need
The “Love Drop” fundraiser for Ethan and Alex, two Milwaukee boys diagnosed with severe autism, will come to an end at the end of February.
Love Drop is a for profit organization that was founded early in 2011 that utilizes a unique micro-giving concept to assist different individuals and families in need each month. The organization was formed by Nate St. Pierre, founder of the ItStartsWith.Us movement in Milwaukee; and Washington D.C.-native J-Money, a financial expert who utilizes a pseudo-name for reasons associated with his profession.
In January, Love Drop helped out Jill and her three children in Chicago who lost everything in a fire and ended up being homeless for the second time in a row. Love drop awarded them $2500 and other donated goods and services. This month, Love Drop is trying to raise enough money for the family to receive a service dog and a couple of iPads so the boys can communicate better.
“This month is a little different,” St. Pierre said. “We decided to turn it into a fundraiser to try to get this done for this family.”
Love Drop is going to donate all of the funds received from subscribers and gifts towards getting the service dog from Ohio-based organization 4-Paws for Ability.
“The dog will be trained to help provide much needed assistance for this family,” St. Pierre said. “In addition to being trained in companionship, the dog will help provide safety and protection for them. Alex, one of the boys, has a history of running away from the house in the middle of the night. They’ve tried alarm systems and locks and nothing has worked. The dog will be able to sleep in the same room with Alex and either keep him in bed or notify the parents immediately when he gets up in the middle of the night. Having this dog will literally change their life.”
The family needs $13,000 to pay for the dog, St. Pierre said.
According to St. Pierre a few businesses have stepped up including First Edge Solutions in Milwaukee, 3D Molecular Design, Johnson Creek Original Smoke Juice, People Report and WalktheTalk.com.
Organizations including Hard Rock, Taco Bell, Chili’s, Cinnabon, and First Edge Solutions also donated items for an auction, St. Pierre said.
To learn more about Ethan and Alex’s story or to donate visit www.lovedrop.us.
MillerCoors donates funds for water projects across the country
Chicago-based MillerCoors MillerCoors has donated $80,000 to River Network, a national non-profit organization with more than 650 local member organizations focused on water quality and watershed protection. As part of the third annual MillerCoors – River Network Grant Competition, watershed grants will be awarded to six non-profit organizations across the country.
“We are excited to build upon the momentum of the previous MillerCoors – River Network competitions and look forward to bringing meaningful programs to life with these community-focused organizations,” said Kim Marotta, vice president of corporate social responsibility for MillerCoors. “Water is one of the key ingredients in our great beers, and MillerCoors understands the necessity of protecting this resource both inside our breweries and importantly, in our communities.”
The company is encouraging the public to vote for the nominated proposals at www.RiverNetwork.org; The organization with the most votes will receive $30,000, second place will receive a $10,000 grant and the third will receive a $5,000 grant. The remaining three finalists will each receive $3,000. The six finalist organizations are based all over the country including Georgia, North Carolina, Illinois, Oregon and Wisconsin. The River Revitalization Foundation in Milwaukee is one of the selected finalists.
"Healthy rivers are vital to a healthy water future," said Todd Ambs, River Network President. "Thanks to the support and leadership from MillerCoors, waterways across the nation will be protected and restored for all people, fish and wildlife, and future generations."
People can vote for one of the six finalists through Sunday, March 20. Winners will be announced on Thursday, March 24.
YWCA needs table captains for annual event
The YWCA of Milwaukee will host its annual Circle of Women luncheon on Thursday, May 5 at the Frontier Airlines Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The organization is recruiting table captains for this year’s event. Table captains are responsible for briwnging nine individuals to join them at the event in support of YWCA’s programs and services that help women and their families overcome poverty. To register, visit www.ywcamilw.org or contact circleofwomen@ywcamilw.org for more information.
