As a major contractor in the industry, KS Energy understands the need that exists during Wisconsin’s frigid winters and humid summers. With thousands of people unable to afford their utility bills throughout the year, the New Berlin-based company has remained eager to lend its support in any way possible.
When Dennis Klumb Jr., the company’s president and CEO, saw the direct impact and reach that the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund a decade ago, he was quick to get on board.
“The beauty of (the KWW/CF) is that you see where your money is going, and that’s helping families in need,” Klumb said. “When you support an organization like the KWW/CF, you’re directly helping families in need.
It was the mid-1990s when Jack von Rutenberg first found out about the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund. Tim Bruer, the executive director of the nonprofit organization, was looking to reach more in-need Wisconsinites and knew the von Rutenberg family were strong supporters of the community. Twenty-three years and more than 90,000 households helped later, von Rutenberg is thrilled to see where things have led.
The Betty Lou Cruise package, generously donated by Von Rutenberg Ventures, is a popular auction item at the annual Golf Outing.
If there’s one thing the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund has relied on over the years, it’s having the support of the community.
Dozens of companies throughout the state have lent their support to the organization and provided a safety net for more than 90,000 households that find themselves in crisis. Years ago, the KWW/CF found a “sweet” match in Schoep’s Ice Cream.
The Madison-based company shows its support for the organization by hosting multiple fundraising events throughout the year. Things like the $5 all-you-can-eat Ice Cream Social at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison and Wo Zha Wah Days Fall Festival in Wisconsin Dells always bring overwhelming support that goes a long way.
A line of hungry patrons forms at an ice cream social at the East YMCA in Madison, WI.
Every year, thousands of Wisconsin’s most vulnerable residents are faced with disconnection because of the high cost of energy. For decades, Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund has been able to provide that bridge for the gap between rising energy costs and what struggling households are legitimately able to pay towards their heat and power. KWW/CF has always been the go-to agency for people when they have no place else to turn to.
“People hit hardest are the working poor with children, the elderly and disabled,” says Energy Services, Inc. Executive Director and Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund and Heat and Housing for Heroes Founder Tim Bruer. “It’s not uncommon for us to be working with veterans with service-related disabilities who have high energy costs.”
While housing and food costs have increased over the years, energy costs have increased at an even higher rate.
The 17th Annual Keep WI Warm/Cool Fund Charity Golf Classic was held Tuesday, August 7th, 2018 at Geneva National Golf Club in Lake Geneva. The event was once again an overwhelming success, raising $279,000 that will go towards helping thousands of Wisconsin households in need including Veterans, elderly, disabled and working families with young children in crisis. Because of the generosity of the many golfers, corporate sponsors, donors and stakeholders that took part in the outing, Wisconsinites in need will be able to keep the heat and power on. The outing also helped raise awareness to the cause of Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund and Heat and Housing for Heroes initiatives.
