GIVE.

ADVOCATE.

VOLUNTEER.

2018 Annual Report

YOU’RE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

2019 INCOMING PRESIDENT, JEFF DRAKE

On behalf of United Way of Otter Tail & Wadena Counties, it is my pleasure to warmly wish each of you a “Happy New Year!”

With my role as the superintendent of Battle Lake Public School, I begin each new school year with a message I hope will be inspiring or, at the very least, thought-provoking. Back in August I ended with a simple rhetorical question for the staff… “how are you living?” At a time when most

of us take stock of our lives and vow to make some positive changes the question seems especially appropriate now - although I might rephrase it slightly to, “How are we living?”

A few years ago, I read a novel by Mitch Albom titled, “The Five People You Meet in Heaven.” The main idea of the book centers on the impact our actions have on others - often without our awareness. The sum of the life of the protagonist (Eddie) is revealed through a series of flashbacks. Because our actions can result in profound goodness or tragedy, the story makes a powerful statement to follow our path in life with kindness, gentleness, care and consideration for others because we are all interconnected. As our journey through life unfolds, the tracks we leave behind are not on the sand – they are on people.

“It takes each of us to make a difference for all of us.” — Jackie Mutcheson

This understanding drives the work of the United Way. In the interest of bettering the human condition, the United Way partners with many agencies whose mission is dedicated to making the world a better place – to ensure that all children are clothed, fed, educated and cared for and that someone is there to support those struggling with addiction, abuse or poverty.

Your generous support makes it all possible. We are fortunate to live in a country with tremendous resources. Whether it is a donation of your time, your talents or your financial resources, know that your gifts change lives. I close with my favorite quote:

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

May 2019 bless each of you with peace, good health and happiness.

Warmest Regards,

Jeffrey D. Drake

Jeffrey D. Drake Incoming President United Way of Otter Tail & Wadena Counties 2018 Financial Reports will be available following our mandatory audit in February 2019.

President: Lori Mattfeld United Community Bank, Perham

President Elect: Jeff Drake Battle Lake Public Schools

Past President: Josh Heggem Pemberton Law Office, Fergus Falls Treasurer: Mick Siems Mill Street Residence, Fergus Falls Secretary: Dianne Beckman Retired, Underwood

Members at Large:

Randy Kempfer InVision Eyecare, Fergus Falls Diane Thorson Retired, Henning

Pastor Tom Peterson Bethlehem Lutheran Church Fergus Falls

Jennifer Hendrickson Perham Public Schools

Jackie Hendrickson StoneL, Fergus Falls

Brent E Frazier City of Pelican Rapids

Gary Sellman Mid-Central Federal Savings Bank, Wadena

Marilyn Twete Retired, Wadena

Jose Alba Tri-County Healthcare, Wadena

Jason Hastings Hastings Law Firm, Fergus Falls

Diane Hanson Bell Bank, Pelican Rapids

Sara Hanson Shearers, Perham

JoAnn Thompson Otter Tail Power Company

2019 Incoming Board Members

Carolyn Glesne Retired, Underwood

Tim Kelly St. William’s Living Center, Parkers Prairie

United Way of Otter Tail & Wadena Counties Staff

Mary Phillipe Executive Director

Meghana Anderson Executive Assistant and Internal Program Coordinator

Marsha Erickson Resource Development Director and Otter Tail County Early Childhood Initiative Coordinator

Alison Francis Volunteer and Events Coordinator

2018 UNITED WAY OF OTTER TAIL & WADENA COUNTIES VOLUNTEER BOARD AND STAFF

Page 3 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

WHERE DID YOUR DONATION MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN 2018? Providing resources to reduce barriers

for persons living in poverty

1. In 2018, United Way provided over $218,000 in funding for 44 Community Investment programs and donor designated programs in Otter Tail & Wadena Counties. These programs focus on Education, Good Health and Financial Stability.

2. The Employability Project, which launched in October of 2018, is a partnership with MAHUBE OTWA to assist low income individuals in attaining and maintaining employment. The project received West Central Initiative, Blandin, Bank of the West and Bremer Trust grants for project implementation. To date, there have been placements of four individuals. Two at Northern Contours, one at Children’s Corner and one at PioneerCare.

Early Childhood Initiative (ECI) and early Childhood literacy

1. The six week Summer Splash Learning

Loss Prevention series was coordinated for children in Parkers Prairie, Underwood, Battle Lake, Richville and Ottertail City.

2. In 2018, 8,100 Imagination Library books were delivered to children in Otter Tail County ages birth – five.

3. United Way registered 185 children in 2018 for Imagination Library.

4. 2,285 Prescription for Reading books were distributed at all healthcare facilities in Otter Tail & Wadena Counties where child wellness visits take place.

5. Perham and New York Mills residents participated in quarterly parent education opportunities. The ECI covers the childcare costs and food expense for the evening.

6. The ECI partnered with the Otter Tail Family Services Collaborative to present the documentaries, Resilience and Paper Tigers at A Center for the Arts in Fergus Falls.

7. The ECI partnered with the Otter Tail Family Services Collaborative to present Sara Langworthy ACEs. (Adverse Childhood Experiences) Training and was facilitated at Lakes Country Service Coop.

8. United Way received a grant from West Central Initiative for the 2019 ECI

Coordinator Stipend = $6,000 and project funding = $6,000.

Reducing the stigma of mental health disorders and promoting positive mental health

1. United Way provided funding for A Place

to Belong with future program expansion in Perham.

2. United Way coordinated Minnesota Acts of Kindness Week November 12-16th.

3. Mary Phillipe joined the Thrive committee which focuses on positive mental health outcomes for the Fergus Falls area.

4. Women United facilitated their second Conversation that Matters event on October 30, 2018. The topic for the event was the Opioid Crisis Touching our Rural Communities.

Reducing food insecurities for residents living in poverty

1. North Country Food Bank Funding -

$17,000, Otter Tail County and $6,900 for Wadena County. North Country Food Bank serves 6 food shelves in Otter Tail County.

2. Food shelves in Otter Tail County received $26,706 through the Friends of Friends Fighting Hunger event.

3. United Way operates the Fergus Falls Feeding Backpack program. 2018 experienced a participation increase of 33%.

4. United Way serves as the fiscal host for Henning & New York Mills Feeding Backpack programs.

5. United Way provided Funding for Otter Tail County and Wadena Feeding Backpack programs through the Friends of Friends Fighting Hunger event. Serving 550+ children.

6. United Way coordinated the 2018 Stamp Out Hunger event for the National Association of Letter Carriers.

Working with our communities to uncover childcare solutions

1. The ECI advocated for a bonding bill for building or remodeling childcare.

2. Marsha Erickson facilitated a group meeting at the OTC Government Services Center to connect people with options for childcare.

3. A childcare gap analysis was completed by First Children’s Finance. Within the Otter Tail County communities we show a gap of 992 available childcare slots.

4. Marsha Erickson facilitated a childcare tour in Detroit Lakes for Pelican Rapids childcare planning committee.

5. Marsha Erickson helped connect and serve as a resource for three Fergus Falls businesses as they move forward with a childcare plan.

Creating awareness of human trafficking and sexual exploitation

and providing education support

1. United Way assisted in coordination and co-sponsored a Men as Peacemakers event at a Center for the Arts.

2. United Way co-sponsored an awareness billboard placement for in Fergus Falls.

3. United Way facilitated an Otter Tail & Wadena informational meeting at the Ottertail Operations Center to educate community leaders on human trafficking and sexual exploitation and what it looks like in our rural communities.

4. Mary Phillipe served on a human trafficking informational panel at Amor Church, facilitated by WDAY’s news reporter Kevin Wallevand.

5. Mary Phillipe serves on the MAST (Mobilizing Against Sex Trafficking) committee established in Fergus Falls.

Additional Program Outcomes

1. Stuff the Bus School Supply program served 840+ children in Otter Tail & Wadena Counties in addition to providing 840+ oral health kits.

2. Alison Francis coordinated Day of Caring events in Perham, New York Mills, Fergus Falls and Parkers Prairie.

3. Over 17, 000 diapers were collected through Lake Region Healthcare’s diaper drive. Diapers were distributed to local food shelves and infant programs.

4. Fergus Falls office mini remodel was completed in July. The carpet was donated by Security State Bank. Volunteers painted the office and we kept the renovation cost under $600.

5. A Bremer Trust operations support and technologies improvement grant was completed and submitted in October. A Bremer Trust site visit was conducted November 28, 2018.

$500 - $749 Friend Level

Anonymous Donor

Marion Bluhm

Steve & Carol Brimhall

Tom & Robin Brimhall

Dr. David & Sharon Ditch

Wallace Fegert

Josh & Shauna Heggem

Mark & Catherine Helland

Anonymous Donor

Donald & Lisa Lacey

Buzz & Ann Lundeen

Dr. Allen & Sandra Magnuson

Randy & Lori Mattfeld

Dr. Todd & Stacy McGovern

Garnet Muehlhausen

Gerald & Barb J. Nelson

Jerry & Karen Ness

Anonymous Donor

Mike & Cris Oehler

Guy & Pam Olson

Anonymous Donor

Leland & Lavonne Rogness

Steve & Sandra Rufer

Rodney & Jo Scheel

Shelley & Steve Schoeneck

Deborah Sjostrom

Jeff & Tammy Stanislawski

Ron & JoAnn M Thompson

Alan & Karen Thompson

Dr. Dan & Lori Traiser

Ward & Debra L. Uggerud

Dr. Robert & Karen Wasson

Todd & Stacy Wahlund

Mark & Kathy Eifert

Doug & Sue Huebsch

Mark & Katie Johnson

Kyle & Tammy Richards

Michael & Lori Siems

Rick & Bonnie Denzel

Stephanie & Nathan Hoff

Anonymous

Dennis & Audrey Emmen

Bruce & Stefanie Gerhardson

Janelle C. Johnson

Missy Klemin

Jordan Millard

Dick & Virginia Portmann

Anonymous Donor

Dean & Patti J. Rix

Jennifer Smestad

Eleanor Pelletier-Stadum

Anonymous Donor

Stuart & Kay Tommerdahl

Beth & Jack Achter

Dr. Randy & Dr. Tara Kempfer

Cheri K. Trudell

$750 - $999 Family Level

Paul & Dianne Beckman

John & Donna Olson

Curt & Ann Rotto

Dr. Jack & Sandra Pearson

Anonymous Donor

Nicholas & Kris Kuehl

Mark Bring & Dacia Stiles

James Christopherson

Jason & Leah Zosel

Dr. Julie Spina

$1,000 - $2,499 Silver Level

Anonymous Donor

David & Darlene Johnson

Douglas Kjellerup

Kenneth & Kim Nelson

Wayne & Connie Pastir

Dick & Carol Pribbernow

Gary Sellman

Dean & Lori Thorsen

Dr. Rud & Timmy Wasson

Bob & Gail Welle

Eric Wicklund

Jeff & Gina Ackerson

Anonymous Donor

Steffen Christensen

Doug & Miranda Gray

Loren Laugtug

Jeffrey & Renae Legge

Dr. Bruce & Sherri Money

Dr. Mark & Julie Paulson

Douglas & Diane Thorson

Jeffrey D. Endrizzi

Robert & Gretchen Bigwood

Michael & Laural Blaskowski

Dr. Yvonne Hanley

Charles A. Hofius

Rev. Richard & Mary Kennedy

Chuck & Pat Krekelberg

Anonymous Donor

Ed & Pat Buerkle

Dr. Wesley Borowski

Lee & Margaret Krogh

Barb Underwood

Tim & Penny Rogelstad

Peter Wasberg

Deborah Kleven

Lyndon T. Thompson

Cathy L. Fogale

$2,500 - $4,999 Gold Level

Barbara Axness

John & Eunice MacFarlane

Dr. Michael & Janeen Van Valkenburg

Tom Verhelst & Karen Zell-Verhelst

John & Kimberly Erickson

Milt & Linda Paulson

Anonymous Donor

Anonymous Donor

$5,000 - $9,999 Platinum Level

Margaret M. Barnes

Chuck & Linda MacFarlane

Anonymous Donor

Anonymous Donor

Tocqueville Society - $10,000 +

Anonymous Donor

Inga Johnson Endowment Fund

Donations received as of 01/03/2019

Page 4

2018 Leadership Giving — $154,500

2018 ANNUAL REPORT

Leadership Givers have a deep commitment to helping others. 117 local individuals and families made an annual investment of $500 or more into our community through United Way. The energy, excitement and enthusiasm of these generous individuals inspires others and infuses hope into those who need it most.

Page 5

2018 Event and Program Sponsors

Women United Little Black Dress and Black Tie Affair

This event provides funding for children to enroll in the Imagination Library

Smoky Mountains, Gold Level $500 Bank of the West

David Stock Farm Services

Fergus Falls SERTOMA

Otter Tail Power Company

Pemberton Law Firm

Quality Toyota

Tag Up – Rischard Marketing

Nashville Silver Level $300 Bremer Bank

InVision Eyecare

LB Homes

Lakes Country Service Cooperative

Lake Region Healthcare Corporation

Nelson Auto Center

Northern Lakes Dental

Ottertail Coaches, Inc

Service Food Market

840 Stuff the Bus School Supply/Backpacks Program

Aastad Church

American Legion Auxiliary

Bethlehem Lutheran Church

Beyer Body Shop, Inc.

Braun Vending, Inc.

Bremer Bank Perham and Fergus Falls

BW Integrated Systems

Carlson SV LLP

Church of the Nazarene

Corner Stone Lodge #99

Eagles Auxiliary 2339

EOT Jaycees

Erickson Insurance Agency, Inc.

Everett Jacobson

Excel Plastics

Fergus Falls Area YMCA

Fergus Falls Fire Department

Fergus Falls Optometric Center, Ltd.

Fergus Falls Sertoma Club

Fraternal Order of the Eagles 2339

Glende-Nilson Funeral Home

Kiwanis Club of Fergus Falls

K.L.N. Family Brands

Krekelberg Law Firm

LifeSmiles Dental

LUND Boats

Midwest Bank

Midwest Insurance Agency

Minnesota Masonic Charities

Minnesota National Bank

Northern Contours

Our Saviors Ten Mile Lake Lutheran

Park Region Telephone

Pelican Drug

Pemberton Law Firm

Perham Rotary Foundation

Perkin's Restaurant and Bakery

PioneerCare

Riverside Fergus Falls Lions Club

Rohde Insurance Services

Sanford Pelican Rapids Clinic

Scott Wagnild, DDS

Security State Bank

Service Food Market

Shearer's Snacks

Shell Station

Shoreline

Shoremaster LLC

Southtown C Store and GN Evenson

St. James Episcopal Church

Tingvold Lutheran Church

Tuffy's Pet Foods Inc.

Underwood Area Lions

Vector Windows

West Central Turkeys

2 anonymous Donors

11 individual donors

Days of Caring in Fergus Falls, New York Mills, Perham and Parkers Prairie

K.L.N. Family Brands

Shearer's Snacks

United Community Bank

Eagle's Cafe of New York Mills

Lakes Cafe in Perham

Central Market of Perham

Lake Region Health Care

InVision Eye Care

Otter Tail Power Company

Otter Risers Kiwanis

YMCA

Bank of the West

LB Homes

Fergus Falls American Legion 840 Oral Health Kits Distribution Northern Lakes Dental, Dr. Scott

Wagnild The Ottertail Pumpkin Festival This event provides funding to the Early Childhood Initiative Summer Splash Learning Loss Prevention Program and the Children’s Feeding Backpack Program Williams Company Store,

Hilltop Lumber

Buehler's Produce

Ottertail Bakery

The Painted Turtle

Betty's Pantry

Galloping Goose Rentals

Ottertail Lions Club

Ottertail Vintage Bike Shop

Page 6 2018 ANNUAL REPORT

2018 BUSINESS AND AGENCY PARTNERS

A Place To Belong AgCountry Farm Credit Services All Creatures Veterinary Clinic Allen Haugrud, Attorney at Law Allstate Giving Campaign AmazonSmile Foundation C/o Perlman & Perlman LLP

American Federal Bank Ameriprise Financial Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. AMP Insurance Area Travel Service of Perham, Inc. Arntson Electric Attitudes for Hair Azure Vision Care - Pelican Rapids Anonymous Business Contributor Bakken Insurance Battle Lake Public School #542 Battle Lake Review Bell Bank - Fargo Bell Bank - Fergus Falls Bell Bank - Pelican Rapids Bethlehem Lutheran Church Beyer Body Shop, Inc BHH Partners Planners Arch Biffley`s Bjorn`s Heating & Air Conditioning Boys and Girls Club of the Perham Area Bremer Bank - Fergus Falls Bremer Bank - Perham BW Integrated Systems CAF America

Calla Floral and Confections Calvary Lutheran Church - Perham Carlson & Company LLP Central Market - Perham Central Minnesota Credit Union - Perham Children`s Services Association Christianson Bus Service City of Battle Lake City of Pelican Rapids Cline Jensen P. A. Coldwell Banker Preferred Partners - Pelican Rapids College Way Auto Companion Animal Hospital Compass Inspection Consultants, Inc. Country Glass Crane-Johnson Lumber Company Dairy Queen Dan`s Vacuum & Sewing Design Intent Architects Dicks Standard Service Dorn & Company Eddie`s Insulating Service Edward Jones - Perham Effington Township Eide Bailly LLP Erickson Insurance Agency Esser Plumbing & Heating Everts Lumber Co Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church Farmers & Merchants State Bank - NYM Farmers Elevator Co. Farmers Union Insurance - Grant Davenport Agency Farmers Union Insurance - New York Mills Fergus Falls Area Family YMCA Fergus Falls Daddy Daughter Committee Fergus Falls Monument Company Fergus Falls Optometric Center Fergus Falls Public Schools #544 Fergus Falls School of Dance Fergus Falls Spine & Injury Center Fergus Locker Fergus Tire Center Gerald Evenson, Inc./Southtown C Store Gibbs #10 Sales Goose Group, Inc. Gottenborg Chiropractic Clinic Grace United Methodist Church Great Plains Natural Gas Co. Guardian Crop Insurance Hanley & Murphy Dental Harmony Studios Higher Grounds

Hilltop Lumber Hockert`s Inc. IBM Inga Johnson, Endowment Fund Investment Realty Northwest, Inc.

INVISION Jaeger Furniture Jefferson Hearing Aid Center K.L.N. Enterprises, Inc. Karkela, Hunt & Cheshire, PLLP Karvonen & Son Funeral Home Inc. Noon Kiwanis Club of Fergus Falls Kiwanis Club of Otter-Risers Inc. Krekelberg Law Firm - Pelican Rapids Lake Area Docks & Lifts Lake Country Graphics Inc Lake Region Healthcare Corp. Lake Region Medical Group, PA Lakeland Mental Health Center Lakes Area Cooperative Lakes Area Pediatric Dentistry Lakes Café Lakes Country Insurance Agency Lakes Country Service Cooperative Lakes Family Eyecare Inc Larry`s Family Pizza Larry`s Foods Larry`s Supermarket Leaf River Ag Service Leighton Broadcasting Life Smiles Dental Lyle`s Shoe Store Maplewood Veterinary Animal Hospital Mark`s Fleet Supply, Inc.

United Way works with over 200 businesses, corporate and non-profit partners

in Otter Tail & Wadena Counties. Together, we affect change on a larger scale

than any single organization can accomplish alone.

The following companies and organizations participated in the 2018 campaign

by coordinating an employee campaign or providing a corporate/business gift.

This year, these organizations and their employees contributed more than

$260,000 and volunteer hundreds of hours in our communities around Otter

Tail & Wadena Counties.

We also extend a special thanks to all of our Global Corporate Leadership

partners, whose generous support inspires us to reach for new heights.

2018 EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS

$158,798 2018 BUSINESS AND AGENCY CONTRIBUTIONS

$101,740

American Federal Bank employees volunteering for the Children’s Weekend Feeding Backpack Program

We are grateful to InVision for running a great campaign and the many hours invested in volunteering for United Way initiatives.

Mauk Jewelers, Inc. Mercantile on Main Merickel Lumber Mills, Inc. Mid-Central Federal Savings Bank Midwest Bank Midwest Bank - Dalton Midwest Insurance Agency Mills Fleet Farm Mills Lanes & Lucky Strike Grill Mimi Rae`s & AddyGrace LLC Minn-Dak Transport Inc. & Gerald N. Evenson, Inc. Minnesota Motor Company Minnesota National Bank Mirror Mirror Salon and Spa Morning Son Christian School M-R Sign Company, Inc. Murdock's Hardware, Inc. - Ace Hardware - Perham

N.F. Field Abstract Company, LLC Nadine`s Nature`s Garden World Network For Good New Horizons Realty Co. of Perham New York Mills Public School #553 North Risk Partners - David Paulson Agency, Inc. Northern Aire Lanes Northern Lakes Dental & Implant Center Northside Floral Northwestern Mutual Network Nyhus Family Sales Olson Funeral Home Oma`s Bread Otter Electric Otter Tail Corporation Otter Tail County Employees Otter Tail Power Company Park Region/Otter Tail Telcom

Otter Tail Tire, Inc. - Tires Plus Total Car Care Ottertail Aggregate Overland Insurance Agency, Inc. Anonymous Business Contributor Park Region Co-Op Parkers Prairie Public School #547 Pederson & Pederson, P.A. Pelican Dental Clinic Pelican Drug Pelican Rapids Press Pelican Rapids Public Schools #548 Pelican Valley Health Center Nursing Home Pemberton Law Firm Pemberton Law Firm - Wadena Perham Health & Perham Living - Sanford Perham Public Schools #549 Perham Tesoro - Palubicki`s One Stop Perrin Auto Body Petals from the Heart Photo Magic of Perham Pickett & Demuth, LTD Pine Shelter Veterinary Pinnacle Pro Floor Care PioneerCare Plumbers, Inc. Polman Transfer, Inc. Prairie`s Edge Dental Preferred Auto Body Services LLC Premier Specialty Vehicles Quality Toyota Rapid Brake & Alignment RDO of Fergus Falls Re-Use It Thrift Store Rischard Marketing - Tag Up Riverside Repair Shop Riverview Place, LLC RK`s Prairie Café Robert Russell, Attorney at Law Rohde Insurance Services Ryan Hanson Homes - Keller Williams Realty Professionals Sanford Health Schoeneberger Funeral & Cremation Service Schornack Rentals Schuller Funeral Service, Inc. Scot`s Machine Shop Sears Hometown Store Security Insurance and Investments Security State Bank Service Food Market Smith & Sem, Ltd. Someplace Safe South Mill Service Spangler Partners, Inc. State Farm Insurance - Janet Swenson State Farm Insurance - Perham State of Minnesota Employees Stearns Insurance Agency, Inc. Steve Schierer Appraisals StoneL (Metso) Svaren Financial Services Sverdrup Women of the ELCA Swenson , Saurer, Gerber, Anderson Target Store #1174 Ten Mile Lake Resort Terry Tumberg, EA The Flower Mill Unique Floral The Muddy Moose The Williams Company Store

Page 7

2018 BUSINESS SUPPORT

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Todd-Wadena Electric Cooperative Townsend Concessions Tri-County Health Care Underwood Women's Study Club United Community Bank United Health Group United Methodist Women - Perham United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley United Way of Otter Tail & Wadena Counties US Bank UPS Employees Vector Windows VFW Post 3922 Victor Lundeen Co. Wadena - Deer Creek Public Schools Wadena HRA Wadena Rotary Club Wadena State Bank Wal Mart Weichert Real Estate - Paulson Land Company Welander Jewelers Wells Fargo - Fergus Falls Wells Fargo - Pelican Rapids West Central Initiative West Central Turkeys Woodland Dental, Inc. Xcel Energy Corporation YourCause, LLC

Thank you to K.L.N. Family Brands, Shearer’s Snacks and United Community Bank in Perham for participating in Day of Caring, 2018.

Thank you LB Homes for hosting the Fergus Falls area Give Where You Live Campaign kickoff!

Top Ten Employee Campaign Awards

1. Otter Tail Power Company

2. Lake Region Healthcare

3. Otter Tail County Employees

4. UPS

5. State of Minnesota

6. Sanford Health

7. Otter Tail Corporation

8. Pelican Rapids Public Schools

9. Fergus Falls Public Schools

10. Vector Windows

Top Ten Employee Campaigns Gift Total = $96,161

Top Ten Corporate Gift Awards

1. KLN Enterprises, Inc.

2. Otter Tail Power

3. Service Food Market

3. Wells Fargo Bank

4. Tri-County Health Care

5. Otter Tail Corporation

6. Bank of the West

6. Security State Bank

7. Vector Windows

8. UPS

9. Sanford Health

10. Lake Region Healthcare

10. Great Plains Natural Gas

Top Ten Corporate Gift Total = $67,360

Please note the duplicate ranking numbers above indicate an equal gift amount.

Page 8

2018 Top Corporate and Employee Campaign Awards

AT THE END OF 2018, 12% OF THE CAMPAIGN GOAL WAS YET TO BE REALIZED. Goal Raised as of 01/03/2018

Fergus Falls Area (Includes: Elizabeth and Dalton) $261,000 $244,875

Pelican Rapids Area (Includes: Erhard and Vergas) $23,000 $18,843

Battle Lake Area (Includes: Clitherall, Henning, Underwood, Vining and Parkers Prairie) $20,000 $15,801

East Otter Tail County Area (Includes: Ottertail, Perham, Richville, Dent, New York Mills, Bluffton, Deer Creek) $45,000 $43,834

Wadena County $35,000 $14,551

This award is given to businesses that go above- and- beyond their campaign, volunteerism or another ongoing commitment to United Way.

Page 9

Otter Tail & Wadena

Counties Shining Star

Lake Region Healthcare Corporation

1. Tri-County Health Care

2. StoneL

3. K.L.N. Family Brands & Jackie Bunkowske

4. Vector Windows

2018 Volunteers of the Year - Gary and Karalyn Harrington Hunger committee, where over the past

eleven years, have raised almost a

million dollars to help end hunger in

Otter Tail & Wadena Counties.

Gary & Karalyn are also founding

members of the Network Battle Lake

group and in 2018 helped United Way

staff kick off the Battle Lake Campaign.

They were instrumental in organizing the

Battle Lake citywide clean-up day and

bringing natural gas to the community.

Gary & Karalyn are touted as “super

supporters” of the local school district

and the community at large.

They have worked hard on extending the

business season for Battle Lake, by

For United Way, this couple is most

directly connected to us as members

of the Friends of the Friends Fighting

organizing the Pumpkin Festival,

which is now known as Heritage

Days.

Gary & Karalyn are involved

members at Zion Lutheran Church

in Amor, and able to repurpose

older baseball fencing for a softball

field at God’s Acres. Gary is also

the organizer of Rocky’s Fishing

tournament, where kids receive free

fishing poles and tackle and are

partnered with a fishing “captain” to

fish. Gary & Karalyn do all of this for the

love of their community.

This year we are recognizing individuals and agencies who have served United Way during events, initiatives, operations and may have also volunteered or donated in other ways to support our mission to improve lives in Otter Tail & Wadena Counties. 1. Cec Kinzler 2. Dan & Marnie Whitehead 3. Eagle’s Cafe 4. Kevin & Doreen Anderson - Midwest Printing 5. Brunswick Lund Boats

Community Hero Awards Each year United Way of Otter Tail & Wadena Counties spotlights those that serve their community above and beyond.

2018 Rising & Shining Star Awards

Gary & Karalyn Harrington were instrumental in the fundraising and planning surrounding the opening of the Battle Lake Childcare Center.

Battle Lake = $3,458 Henning = $3,458 Pelican Rapids = $3,458 Perham = $5,958 Parkers Prairie = $3,458 New York Mills = $3,458 Wadena = $2,500 Children’s Feeding Backpack Program = $54,700 Perham = $25,000 Fergus Falls = $15,000 Underwood = $2,000 Battle Lake = $3,700 New York Mills = $5,000

Alison Francis, United Way Volunteer and Events Coordinator, Co-Chaired the event with longtime Friends of Friends committee member, Arne Gudmestad. The Friends of Friends committee is grateful for the donors, volunteers and attendees who have made this event such a success these past ten years.

In 2018, the Friends of Friends Fighting Hunger Charity Event celebrated it’s 10th year and distributed $83,906 to help eliminate food insecurities for families and individuals in Otter Tail & Wadena Counties. To date, this committee has distributed $702,129 to 8 local food shelves, the Children’s Weekend Feeding Backpack Program and Project Community Connect Events in Otter Tail & Wadena Counties to help reduce the level of food insecurities for our residents in need. Proceeds from the 10th Annual Event benefited: Food Shelves = $29,206 Fergus Falls = $3,458

West Central Initiative to help

create a community rich in

educational opportunities and

projects for educators and young

children in our local communities.

In 2018, United Way received three

grants from West Central Initiative.

1. ECI Coordinator’s Stipend:

$6,000

2. ECI Project Planning and

Implementation: $6,000

3. Community Oral Health Grant:

$500

In addition to serving as United

Way’s Resource Development

Director, Marsha Erickson also

serves as the Otter Tail County

Early Childhood Initiative

Coordinator. For many years,

United Way has been fortunate

to receive grant funding from

ECI’s projects for 2018 Included:

1. Summer Splash, summer

programming for young

children in Underwood, Battle

Lake, Parkers Prairie, Ottertail

and Richville.

2. Community conversations

around the access to the

childcare crisis.

3. A series of documentary

viewings promoting and

understanding mental health.

4. 600 School Readiness packs

for all children in Otter Tail

County, who complete their

Early Childhood screening.

Page 10

FRIENDS OF FRIENDS FIGHTING HUNGER CELEBRATES 10 YEARS

OTTER TAIL COUNTY EARLY CHILDHOOD INITIATIVE

2018 ANNUAL REPORT

Friends of Friends committee members, Connie & Woody Caspers send out a letter to their many friends each year to raise money for the Children’s Weekend Feeding Backpack Program and food shelves in Otter Tail & Wadena Counties.

Alison Francis, United Way Volunteer & Events Coordinator

2018 not only marked a name rebrand from

Women’s Leadership Council to Women United,

it also marks their 7th anniversary.

Women United, focuses their energy and

resources on achieving a very important goal:

improving childhood literacy in Otter Tail &

Wadena Counties.

Children who can read at grade level by the end

of third grade are much more likely to

experience academic success than those who

cannot.

Minnesota’s future depends on the ability of

every person to participate in the economy. By

giving each student the tools they need to

succeed, we are investing in that future and

helping make it a reality.

Women United coordinates several fundraising

events to support the Dolly Parton Imagination

Library program in Otter Tail County and the

Prescription for Reading program which serves

Otter Tail and Wadena Counties.

Members also take action on issues that hit closest to

home. In 2018, Women United, once again facilitated

Conversations that Matter. This event focused on the

opioid crisis in our rural communities. The event included

an expert panel, including Dr. Bruce Money, Lake Region

Healthcare, Michelle Eldien, Otter Tail County Attorney's

Office and Heather Rosenthal from the Otter Tail County

Child Protection Department. The panel was moderated

by Women United President, Cris Oehler.

Participants had the opportunity to hear panelists

discuss how the addiction to opioids in our communities

escalated and how it is affecting our children, residents

and business community. Women United is looking at

October 2019, for their next Conversation that Matters.

The focus topic will be positive mental health for

children.

When you join Women United, you’ll be a part of a

dynamic, caring group of professionals who are

dedicated to driving and leading community change by

making an impact for women and children. You’ll have

the opportunity to influence your investment and track

the impact you make, network with like-minded influential

women who are passionate about the community, and

develop personal and professional leadership skills.

Contact United Way to learn more.

Page 11

WOMEN UNITED

Otter Tail & Wadena County’s 3rd Grade Reading Scores Ranking in Minnesota - Source: Minnesota Compass and MDE

Women United 2018/19 President, Cris Oehler presenting the Women United Literacy Champion award to Fergus Falls resident, John Helland at the 2018 Little Black Dress and Black Tie Affair

120 East Washington Avenue Fergus Falls, MN 56537

Thank you for giving where you live & work

Phone: 218-736-5147 Fax: 218-736-3727 Perham Office: 218-770-9406 Web: uwotw.org Twitter: UWOTW1 Face Book: United Way of Otter Tail & Wadena Counties

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED