Booths such as the one pictured above staffed by Noel Ayala of Heat for Heroes, help get information on vital assistance out to those Veterans in need.
Faced with the possibility of living in homelessness, a military veteran and family in Douglas County recently became one of the thousands of America’s heroes that Heat for Heroes has supported with life-changing assistance.
Having used up all savings and taking a leave of absence from work to care for their spouse, who was suffering from a rare illness, and children, the veteran was unable to afford utility and rent payments. But, with the intervention of Douglas County Veterans Service Officer Brian Erickson and Heat for Heroes, the family no longer had to worry, as a collaborative effort between multiple entities covered the expenses.
Brad Hutter had just made a career change from private practice to commercial real estate when he was approached by Tim Bruer.
Bruer, the alderman serving Hutter’s district at the time, was aware of the fact that MIG, and Hutter, had historically supported a number of grassroots survival safety net efforts in the area. When informed of the growing unmet need that often lead to emergencies and homelessness, Hutter took a keen interest in getting MIG actively involved. Hutter’s interest in supporting KWW/CF, an initiative to help at-risk, low-income individuals with their heating bills during the winter was the beginning of this longstanding relationship. It was a no-brainer for Hutter, the president and CEO of Madison-based MIG Commercial Real Estate. He was quick to jump on board and helped the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund get off the ground.
For 17 years, the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund’s Charity Golf Classic & Silent Auction has shown what a grassroots effort can do to help those in need. The hundreds of people who come together every year to show their support for those less fortunate have helped the event become one of the state’s premier fundraising events.
Golfers at last year’s Charity Golf Classic and Silent Auction gathering before the shotgun start at Geneva National in Lake Geneva, WI.
For 23 years, the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund has relied heavily on support from those in the community. What started as an emergency fund covering nine counties has grown to an organization that has thousands of supporters and is available in every zip code in Wisconsin.
Despite the changes, KWW/CF Executive Director Tim Bruer has always known the organization can rely on the connection it has with the Madison area. So, when Schoep’s Ice Cream and the KWW/CF formed a partnership, it was obvious to reach out to a historic place like Olbrich Botanical Gardens.
KWW/CF staff are ready to scoop delicious donated Schoep’s ice cream for hungry patrons in Madison.
Bruer, media company have long-lasting relationship
For more than two decades, Tom Keeler has seen the direct impact the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund has made across the state. That’s why Keeler, the vice president and general manager at Morgan Murphy Media, has been devoted to making a change.
Since its foundation, the KWW/CF has been fortunate in counting on its close relationship with WISC-TV (Channel 3000). It’s used the partnership not only for fundraising purposes, but also to raise awareness to an unfortunate reality: Many people in Wisconsin must choose between eating or heating their home during the winter.
Volunteers at the ‘Day of Warmth’ telethon actively taking calls for donations for those most in need in Wisconsin.
