United Way of Marathon County

06/17/2026

Power of the Purse! The calm before the storm.

06/16/2026

We did it — and then some!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, our fundraiser supporting single moms in Marathon County has officially exceeded its goal!

Our goal was $10,000, and together, we raised $10, 455, helping provide critical resources, support, and opportunities for local single moms working hard to build brighter futures for their families.

Every donation, share, and word of encouragement made a difference. Thank you to everyone who contributed and believed in this important cause.

Because of you, single moms in our community will have greater access to the support they need to thrive.

She’s working. She’s budgeting. She’s doing everything she can. Still – it’s not enough. In Marathon County, 60 percent of single moms live at or below the ALICE thres...

06/15/2026

Just one day left — and we're only $999 away from reaching our $10,000 goal!

Invest in a Mom. Change a Generation.

Hear from a single mom in Marathon County who is working full time and has two kids.

"I go without a lot of things to make sure my kids have what they need. I went through a really abusive marriage and that’s how I ended up in Wausau as a single mom. I limit my showers to make sure my shampoo and soap lasts," said one single mom in Marathon County.

One of the toughest choices this mom has to make is to decide what bills get paid.

"I have a bank account that allows me to overdraft, sometimes I have to overdraft my account to keep my electricity on."

Despite working full-time, she still can't afford the basics.

"I actually make an hourly rate that’s pretty good, it’s still not livable, but I make too much to receive assistance, I definitely do not qualify for food stamps."

Will you help make a difference for local moms and their children?

Please make your gift today.

She’s working. She’s budgeting. She’s doing everything she can. Still – it’s not enough. In Marathon County, 60 percent of single moms live at or below the ALICE thres...

06/12/2026

In 2024, we shifted our community investment focus to lifting ALICE families to financial stability. According to the latest ALICE report, the strategy is working – but there’s still work to do.

ALICE households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) don’t have enough income to afford their basic needs.

ALICE individuals are the BACKBONE to our community.

They care for our children, they check out our groceries, they cook our meals and help with our everyday needs, while theirs go unmet.

Join us as we continue to build a better community by lifting these individuals and families to financial stability in Marathon County.

How can you help? Learn more about ALICE in Marathon County or contact us at (715) 848-2927.

Counties are the core geography for ALICE data: They reveal variations often masked by statewide averages, and the data is reported regularly and reliably.

06/11/2026

Enjoy our Power of the Purse fashion show with United Way Board President Craig Uhlenbrauck and board members Dylan Weiler and Amy Janke. We’ve also got one of our CHIP interns in there!

There's still time to reserve your spot for June 17: https://www.unitedwaymc.org/power-purse

Kate Spade Clear Stadium Tote Bag Bundle donated by Nancy and Lauren Kaiser

Bogg Bag donated by Target Wausau

Macrame Bag Bundle donated by Living Life Chiropractic - Chiropractor Weston, WI
Poppy & Peonies Favorite Things Bag donated by Megan Pellett

06/10/2026

Students from the Greenheck Group Co-op showed up in a big way this year and made some major improvements to Our Garden, a community garden.

The group visited the garden on May 27 and June 3 and in those two days installed a new wooden fence, created a three-bin compost, created a rain gutter, installed a trellis and updated the inside of the garden shed with new shelves.

Thank you, Greenheck Group Co-op students, your hard work and dedication is greatly appreciated. Thank you for making a difference in our community!

We also would like to recognize Our Garden sponsors Rib Mountain Eye Care and Slow Food Marathon County

06/09/2026

POWER OF THE PURSE NEWS – Meet our Queens of Pursonality JULIE RYBACKI from Bling Jewelers!

Reserve Your Spot: https://www.unitedwaymc.org/power-purse

This year, we are shining the spotlight on two women who are business owners and local leaders: JULIE RYBACKI from Bling Jewelers and MARY JO JOHNSON of EO Johnson Business Technologies.

Each Queen will be curating a one-of-a-kind live auction package that she will show off during the event, and which you will have a chance to bid on during the live auction.

Meet Julie:
Julie Rybacki is the owner of Bling Jewelers and has more than 35 years of experience in the jewelry industry. Over the past 15 years, she has built and grown Bling Jewelers by combining expertise, integrity, and exceptional customer service. Julie specializes in custom jewelry design, jewelry repair, gold buying, and helping customers find the perfect piece to celebrate life's most meaningful moments.

As a small business owner, Julie values the relationships she has built within the community and is grateful for the opportunity to give back to the people and organizations that have supported her throughout the years.

She believes that local businesses play an important role in strengthening the community and takes pride in serving generations of families.

When she's not at the store, Julie enjoys spending time with her husband, her two grown children, and her nine-month-old granddaughter, who brings endless joy to her life. She is also an avid bicyclist who enjoys staying active and exploring the outdoors, and she loves to read!

06/08/2026

We want to thank this Be Amazing group at John Marshall Elementary School for holding a clothing drive for our Community Closet.

Wausau School District

06/06/2026

06/04/2026

We are currently at the LIFE Report Forum. The first Call to Action is Affordable Housing. Explore the report NOW.

https://www.marathoncountypulse.org/tiles/index/display?alias=2026LIFEReport