Rural Wisconsin is thriving! You are receiving this newsletter from the Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation, Inc. because you are one of our past or current recipients or educational partners, you signed up
to receive this on our website, you asked to receive this, or you very generously made a financial contribution to support us. Thank you.
Joan Behr, right, discusses creating a Rural Wisconsin Philanthropy Day with Julie Bauer, Alliant Energy Foundation and Co-Chair of the 2019 Wisconsin Philanthropy Network’s Statewide Conference on
Philanthropy.
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Advancing Rural Wisconsin with You!
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YOU are very important to the Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation, Inc.! Thank you for being part of fostering vitality in rural Wisconsin! I am honored to serve as the WROF Board President this year to help Wisconsin citizens achieve their educational goals and use their skills to advance rural Wisconsin.
I would like to thank Past President, Carol Knox, Verona, Wis., for leading our Foundation since 2017 and serving on the board since 2013. Her marketing knowledge and strategic planning have positioned WROF for even greater success in the future.
I also want to extend a very special thank you to retiring Board Member Curt Hanson, Columbus, Wis., who has been a faithful and dedicated WROF board member for nearly 20 years. We honored Curt as the second recipient of the Renk Legacy Award in recognition of his service to our organization. Please see the story below. Congratulations, Curt!
We also welcomed three new directors at our August 2019 meeting. They are Charlie Crave, Waterloo, Wis.; Patrick Duffy, Columbus, Wis; and Dr. Jerome Gaska, Columbus, Wis. I am very confident they will bring new ideas to the Foundation that will strengthen rural Wisconsin through education. They will be featured in our upcoming newsletters.
WROF, now in its 85th year, has a unique opportunity and responsibility to ensure that our state's citizens have the financial resources for education they need. Our united investment ensures they can successfully live and work in rural Wisconsin as doctors, nurses, veterinarians, agricultural producers, processors, marketers and skilled tradespeople.
Rural areas are continually challenged by changing technologies, limited labor, information access, government and trade policies, weather patterns and market volatility. As a Foundation, WROF can't solve all of those issues; but we can play an important role in helping our citizens obtain the necessary education and skills to address these challenges and build a more vibrant Wisconsin. I look forward to the year ahead and
invite you to join our work! If you are a past recipient, consider sharing your story here. You can also join me in investing with us by making a year-end gift to WROF online here. What a tremendous
way to foster the vitality of rural Wisconsin.
Creating Bright Futures,
Joan Behr, President
Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation, Inc.
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Thank you for your generosity! Kristen Colgin, UW Madison Bachelors of Nursing student, shares her story
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I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your generosity in funding the Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation scholarship. I am extremely honored to be a recipient of the award.
I came to UW-Madison’s School of Nursing with a clear understanding of the way illness affects families, particularly from rural areas. My mom has been living with Multiple Sclerosis for over 34 years. Care is hard to find in rural Wisconsin, and my dad was forced to retire. When I’m home, I help with everything from giving her medicine and changing her to getting her dressed and planning activities. Being a part of my mom’s journey with chronic illness has instilled me with empathy to help me
better relate to patients and families; a commitment to give everyone equity in care; and the drive to effect change in policies that can help fill the gaps for vulnerable populations.
By awarding me the Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation scholarship, you have lightened my financial burden and allowed me to return to school at a time when I have the most to offer the profession. Your kindness and generosity has only further inspired my desire to give back, and I hope one day I will be able to help students achieve their goals just as you have helped me.
With sincerest gratitude,
Kristen Colgin
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Invest your Treasure in THEIR Bright Tomorrows
From now until December 31, YOU can be a part of creating stories like Kristen’s. With your gift, you join forces with others who understand the power their giving has to lighten the financial load of our rural Wisconsin students. Would you
consider a gift of $100 or more today to propel rural Wisconsin citizens forward into an even brighter future? Please join us today with our online form at wrof.org, on Facebook or yes, mail in your gift.
And, did you know you could honor and recognize someone you love and admire with a permanent scholarship through the WROF? Let’s chat soon and find the best way for you to lift up rural Wisconsin! Call me today at 608-772-6777 or drop a note to [email protected]. Giving to the WROF
feels good and does good! Join in!
Making a difference,
Marcy Heim
Executive Director, WROF
PS – Gifts of $500 will be matched. You can designate any rural Wisconsin school or rural educational experience – and see your gift at work, right now! www.wrof.org/donate
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WROF Presents Curtis Hanson with the Renk Legacy Award!
Mid-State Equipment was established in 1974, in Columbus, Wisconsin by founding owners, Curt & Linda Hanson. The company has grown today to 7 locations throughout Southern Wisconsin, and over 200 employees. 2nd Generation owners, Bryan & Erin Hanson, and Chris & Scott Frodel continue to grow the business while keeping true to the values of a family-owned business. "You Can Count on Us!” is their company Motto. Beyond the business, Curt
Hanson invests his time and talents growing rural Wisconsin success. For almost 20 years this included his
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dedicated and outstanding service on the Wisconsin Rural Opportunities Foundation Board of Directors. His leadership includes vision for continually enhancing rural values and success, investments into scholarships at his alma
mater, UW Platteville, and service to others. For his many contributions, The WROF, Inc. presented Curt with the Renk Legacy Award.
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WROF Board, staff and guests gathered to plan for the strategic investment into Wisconsin’s rural heritage. Have ideas on how to foster the vitality of rural Wisconsin through education? Contact us at [email protected]. We’d love to hear
from you!
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Don't forget to follow us online!
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