WSAW-TV annual Share Your Holidays campaign raised $159,009 and thousands of pounds of non-perishable food during its 22nd year. The money will be split between the Wausau Salvation Army and The Neighbors’ Place. Food that was donated will go to Peyton’s Promise for distribution to multiple food pantries.
“It’s been more than 20-years now and the generosity of people in central and north central Wisconsin continues to amaze me,” said Jeff Thelen, News Anchor and Campaign Coordinator for WSAW. “It’s so touching that with all the great charities out there, people choose ours as a way of helping.”
Share Your Holidays has now raised $1,648,585 since its inception 22 years ago. Studies show that every dollar donated to a food pantry buys three or four meals.
“This community is so generous,” said Donna Ambrose, Executive Director of The Neighbors’ Place. “Our guests, our volunteers, our staff, it really motivates them because they know the community has our back, that they support our work.”
“It just makes me feel proud of the community that we’re in and how supportive they are in wanting to help,” said Colleen Hilber, Community Outreach Coordinator, Wausau Salvation Army.
Thanks to matching grants, every dollar donated up to $85,000 was doubled. The BA and Esther Greenheck Foundation, The MacDonald Foundation, The Miller-Halvorsen Family, the Dudley Foundation, and IncredibleBank all provided matching grants.
“We are thankful for our matching donors incredible support of Share Your Holidays,” said Betsy Keefe, VP/General Manager, WSAW-TV. “Their commitment to matching donations has been crucial to our campaign’s success. Each year, their generosity inspires us. Their impact on the community is remarkable.”
The 2024 Share Your Holidays campaign began on Nov. 20 and concluded on Jan. 3. Viewers were encouraged to donate money online. Donors could also drop off food or money at WSAW or at locations in the Wausau area.
WSAW staff and sponsors participated in several events aimed at driving donations. On Dec. 6, staff walked along the Wausau Holiday Parade, collecting hundreds of pounds of non-perishable food and monetary donations. On Dec. 19, IncredibleBank staff worked the phone lines during a two-and-a-half-hour phone bank, raising more than $7,500.
“Share Your Holidays is a station wide initiative that takes everyone on our team to make it a success,” said Bridget Fargen, News Director, WSAW. “From reporters sharing stories about the need and impact of your donation, to our producers who run the information in newscasts for six weeks. It’s an amazing effort we’re proud to take on to help support people in the community.”
