Rebuilding Together Fox Valley

08/28/2026

We LOVE seeing so many familiar faces, but there is one that especially stands out: RTFV Board of Directors member, Denise Houshour! She is a dynamic rockstar at getting things done for the organization. And when she's not taking the work truck for a deep cleaning and detail, she's emailing grant leads, bringing snacks, and bringing volunteer groups onsite. We are honored to be one of her organizations and look forward to the awards in October!

Introducing the 2026 Fox Cities Future 15 award recipients! 🏆

The Fox Cities Chamber's Young Professionals Network has announced the individuals from across the region who will be honored as the 2026 class of Fox Cities Future 15 Young Professionals. These individuals were chosen based on their professional dedication, strong sense of vision for the future of the Fox Cities, and personal commitment to philanthropy in the community they call home.

This year’s recipients are:
• Shelah Dillon, Senior Community Relations Specialist, Capital Credit Union
• Chelsea Drusch, VP, Marketing & Sales Growth Solutions, Weidert Group
• Justine Eron, Communications Coordinator, Miron Construction Co., Inc.
• Casie Holdcroft, VP of Design & Communications, Building for Kids Children's Museum
• Denise Houshour, Client Services Specialist & Community Outreach, Hinnendael, Greene & Associates
• Mandy Krug, Manager of School Collaborations, SOAR Fox Cities, Inc.
• Raquel Lamal, Senior Earned Media Strategist, Red Shoes Inc.
• Jessie Marceau, Owner, CarePatrol
• Abby McDaniel, Sports Marketing Manager, Fox Cities Convention & Visitors Bureau
• Emily Ponkratz, Senior Manager of Development, Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
• Alex Quintana, Public Education Specialist & Fire Inspector, Appleton Fire Department
• Emma Snyder, Managing Director of the Business and Entrepreneurship Center, Lawrence University
• Megan Spranger, Regional Development Director, ThedaCare Family of Foundations
• Hayley Tenpas, Host of Focus Fox Valley, WHBY – Woodward Community Media
• Erich Trepanier, Sales Executive, Fireline Sprinkler, LLC

A 2026 Young Entrepreneur of the Year has also been named – this year’s winner is Michael Dreyer, Dreyer Wealth Management, LLC!

A celebration dinner will be held Thursday, October 29 at Best Western Premier Bridgewood Resort Hotel in Neenah. Learn more and buy your tickets to attend here: https://bit.ly/45NJ4Ep

08/25/2026

The humans at RTFV have a lot going on right now. 😂

Between trying to take some long-scheduled vacation time, cleaning up after the tornado, sitting through day-long certifications and trainings, getting kids back to school, and, you know… actually repairing and modifying homes, our already shorthanded staff is doing our best to pitch in wherever we can.

So we brought in some extra help.
Ms. Tilly has taken over answering emails.
Judging by the look on her face, it is not going well. 😂🐾

Please be patient with us over the next couple of weeks as we juggle schedules and keep projects moving. And if you're planning to stop by the office, please give us a call first to make sure one of the humans is actually there.

Even better? Help us hire another human.

We're looking for a part-time Home Modification Assistant to help fill the gaps when volunteers aren't available and keep repairs moving for our homeowners. It's 20 hours per week, $20/hour, with training provided and a flexible schedule.

Please share it with your networks. You may know exactly the person we need!

🐶 Tilly would especially appreciate being relieved of her administrative duties.

👉 See the position and apply: https://www.rtfv.org/employment

07/31/2026

If you truly want to make a difference in your community, PLEASE follow the instructions and updates made by Volunteer Fox Cities. The greatest barrier to success right now is traffic! If you don't need to be there, please don't go. 💚🤍

07/30/2026

A note from Executive Director, Vaya Lauren Jones:

This week someone asked me a question that has been sitting heavy on my heart:

"With your tools, resources, knowledge, and community connections, how is RTFV helping lead the tornado recovery efforts and being visible in the community?"

The honest answer is... we can't.

Our staff have spent this week taking care of our own families, friends, neighbors, and each other. Jamie is working through the damage to her home. Julie has been delivering ice, coolers, and supplies to loved ones in the storm's path. My own house is waiting for cleanup, too, as I work to support the constituents of my Aldermanic district.

Like so many in our community, we're exhausted.

We would love to be everywhere. We would love to say yes to every need. But we're not choosing between helping and not helping. We're choosing between trying to do everything today and making sure we're still here to serve our community six months from now.

That means, for now, our focus has to stay on keeping Rebuilding Together Fox Valley running while also caring for the people closest to us. We'll continue answering calls, sharing resources, and helping connect people with support wherever we can. But we just can't be out on the front lines like we'd hoped.

If you know me, you know saying "no" doesn't come naturally. But sometimes leadership means protecting your people, even when your heart wants to do more.

Thank you for your grace, your understanding, and for remembering that nonprofit staff are part of this community, too. We're grieving, cleaning up, caring for loved ones, and doing our best right alongside everyone else. 💚🤍🩶

07/30/2026

Latest update from Volunteer Fox Cities. HUGE thank you to the hardworking team there doing such a great job!

07/28/2026

Unfortunately, we are not able to hold our volunteer training sessions this week. To sign up for our August 19th session, head to our website at: https://form.jotform.com/262024942648157

07/28/2026

Feeling like you need to do something but not sure where to start?

💚Sign up through Volunteer Fox Cities to volunteer when the call is needed
🩶Food trucks, prepared food, and drinking water should report to the North parking lot of the former UWO Fox Cities Campus (Midway Road)
💚All bottled water, emergency supplies, and other donation items should be dropped off at the campus entrance next to the Barlow Planetarium

Please do not travel into storm affected at this time unless it is an emergency. Traffic congestion, downed trees, power lines, debris, and blocked roadways are preventing emergency responders and utility crews from reaching affected areas!

07/28/2026

UPDATE: Due to the storm damage at staff homes, we will be closing the office tomorrow, July 28th to allow for time for clean up and to process the events of today.

If you are in need, please contact 2-1-1 for up to date resource information.

07/27/2026

Hi Friends- we rode out the storm in the warehouse bathroom and outside of a few leaks, our offices remain untouched. Our personal homes did not fare as well and we are out for the rest of the day to tend to our homes and families.

Please remember the best number to call is 2-1-1 for reporting storm damage and connecting with needed resources. The Menasha Senior Center, Menasha Public Library, and Christ the Rock Church are all available to those needing shelter or cooling locations at this time.

We do not know what tomorrow will look like in regards to office hours. Please be patient with us while we navigate the needs of our friends and neighbors. 💚🤍💚