MMSD Highlights Homelessness Awareness Month with Community Support Efforts

MADISON, Wis.—Throughout November, the Madison Metropolitan School District’s (MMSD) Transition Education Program (TEP) is recognizing Homelessness Awareness Month by inviting the community to support students and families experiencing housing instability.

For the 2024–25 school year, as many as 1,304 MMSD students and 141 non-school-aged children met the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act’s definition of “homeless”: those lacking a “fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.” That total represents approximately 5% of the district’s total enrollment, underscoring the scope of the challenge within the Madison community.

“Each of our students deserves stability, belonging and a sense of safety,” said Superintendent Dr. Joe Gothard. “Homelessness affects every aspect of a child’s well-being and education, and it’s our shared responsibility as a community to ensure every student has what they need to learn and thrive.”

As it does every year throughout November and December, MMSD is accepting donations of clothing and personal care items to help meet the needs of students and families. Requested items include hair and skin care products, laundry soap, body wash, deodorant, feminine hygiene items, toothpaste and toothbrushes, socks (any size), hair accessories, coats, boots, waterproof gloves and snow pants. Donations may be made at the Doyle Administration Building (545 W. Dayton St.) or at individual schools across Madison.

Later this month, MMSD also plans to create a visual representation of the students and families who have experienced homelessness in the past year. The display will be located outside the Doyle building, and will serve as a reminder that housing instability affects children and families throughout our community.

“Homelessness can look different for every family, but what remains constant is the need for care and connection,” said Jani Koester, TEP resource teacher. “The display will represent real students, each with their own story, resilience and hope. Our goal is to make sure every one of them feels seen, supported and valued.”

TEP supports students and families experiencing homelessness throughout the school year. Community members interested in contributing to its ongoing donation center or learning more are encouraged to contact tep@madison.k12.wi.us.

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About the Madison Metropolitan School District

The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) is the second-largest school district in Wisconsin, serving more than 25,000 students across 52 schools. The district’s vision is that every school will be a thriving school that prepares every student to graduate ready for college, career and community. With more than 6,000 teachers and staff, MMSD is committed to ensuring the district’s goals and core values are held at the center of its efforts, so students can learn, belong and thrive. For more information, visit mmsd.org.

Old National Gears Up for 4th Annual “Better Together Days”

ONB team members will serve organizations throughout nine states

Madison, Wisconsin — Old National Bank is proud to announce the return of its community-focused Better Together Days, taking place September 17-18, 2025. Now in its fourth year, this event brings together team members across Old National’s nine-state footprint to give back to the communities where they live and work. This annual event reflects Old National’s deep commitment to service and community impact. And for team members who cannot participate in person there are virtual volunteer opportunities to ensure everyone can contribute.

In 2024, 66% of Old National’s Wisconsin employees volunteered during Better Together Days and Old National Bank employees logged 67,703 volunteer hours across the bank’s nine-state footprint.

“Over the last four years, Old National Bank Better Together Days volunteers in Madison have focused on supporting local community centers, underserved populations and food insecurity. Our employee-led community teams collaborate with non-profits where they learn about local issues and while making a positive impact in their own back yard,” said Traci Mann, Madison Market President.

Old National team members will volunteer at:

• Badger Prairie Needs Network, working in the food pantry (Sept 17)
• East Madison Community Center, cleaning windows, doing garden clean-up and working in the food
  pantry (Sept 17 & 18)
• Forward Gardens, helping harvest food (Sept 18)

ABOUT OLD NATIONAL
Old National Bancorp is the holding company of Old National Bank. As the sixth largest commercial bank
headquartered in the Midwest, Old National proudly serves clients primarily in the Midwest and Southeast. With approximately $71 billion of assets and $38 billion of assets under management, Old National ranks among the top 25 banking companies headquartered in the United States.

Tracing our roots to 1834, Old National focuses on building long-term, highly valued partnerships with clients while also strengthening and supporting the communities we serve. In addition to providing extensive services in consumer and commercial banking, Old National offers comprehensive wealth management and capital markets services.

For more information and financial data, please visit Investor Relations at oldnational.com. In 2025, Points
of Light named Old National one of “The Civic 50” – an honor reserved for the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States.

Dupaco Credit Union Employees Reap the Benefits of Giving Back

Dubuque, IA – This week is National Volunteer Week and Dupaco Credit Union is celebrating the impact the financial cooperative has had on the communities they serve. Logging 6,187 volunteer hours in 2024, Dupaco employees are choosing to make life better for others, by helping build homes, teach in classrooms, plant trees, clean up parks, donate blood, develop their communities, prepare healthy meals and much more.  

“It feels good to get out in our community and use my skills to help other people and organizations who may not have the resources. In my own small way, I’m serving a need for our community, I’m happy I get the opportunity to provide the help I can,” says Spencer Smith, Branch Manager at Dupaco. Smith chooses to help with the local economic development corporation in Peosta, Iowa. 

Dupaco employees don’t just walk the walk when it comes to volunteering. Their culture embodies it. Their policies promote it. And their actions add up to some impressive numbers.  

In 2024 alone: 

• Dupaco’s 602 employees volunteered a total of 6,187 hours. 
• Dupaco employees served on 170 nonprofit boards and committees 
• 256 Dupaco employees used a paid benefit in 2024 called Volunteer Time Off (or VTO), allowing them to take time off during the workday to lend a helping hand and volunteer in their community at an organization of their choice. 

That ‘feel good feeling’ mentioned by Smith is real, according to data from Mayoclinic.com. According to their studies, people who volunteer experience these benefits: 

• Improved physical and mental health — Volunteer activities keep people moving and thinking at the same time. Research also shows volunteering leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety. 
• Less stress and more positive/relaxed feelings – The release of the hormone dopamine contributes to feelings of lower stress. By spending time in service to others, volunteers report feeling a sense of meaning and appreciation, both given and received, which can have a stress-reducing effect. 
• Nurture new and existing relationships — Volunteering increases social interaction and helps build a support system based on common interests. 

Michelle Becwar, Community and Social Impact Manager, has spent the last 11 years of her career at Dupaco focusing on how the financial cooperative can create and foster community partnerships that benefit people inside and outside the organization. “Whether it’s through volunteer time off or by supporting nonprofits that help improve our communities, we’re working together to create a lasting impact and helping build strong communities,” she notes. 

Spencer adds that being part of an organization like Dupaco cultivates a powerful sense of satisfaction for his co-workers. “When we work together, whether it’s in the office or in the community, we’re helping fulfill our mission for a brighter community for all. It benefits us too. We know it makes us feel better, more connected with our peers and communities, and we have a greater sense of wellbeing. These are definitely reasons why I love working at Dupaco.” 

ABOUT DUPACO COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION  

Dupaco Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit, member-owned financial cooperative headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa. It is dedicated to the financial well-being of its members, and specializes in personalized financial counseling, money advice and education. It offers savings, loans, investments, insurance and wealth management products for individuals and businesses. Dupaco serves residents in 118 counties throughout Iowa, northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin. Founded in 1948 by ten Dubuque Packing Company employees, membership has grown to more than 173,000 with assets exceeding $3.5 billion. It has over 600 employees and 23 branch office locations. It is a Forbes Best-in-State Credit Union, Forbes America’s Best Small Employer, and a Des Moines Register Top Workplace. Learn more at www.dupaco.com. 

Dupaco Foundation to award $250,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Area nonprofit organizations have the opportunity to receive grant funding from the Dupaco Foundation. Applications are now being accepted for the Dupaco Foundation Nonprofit Grant program. This annual competitive grant program provides financial support to nonprofit organizations whose mission or programs align with one of the foundation’s three focus areas:

• Affordable housing and homeownership
• Upskilling and reskilling
• Small business development

“The Dupaco Foundation is dedicated to empowering our communities by supporting organizations that drive meaningful change in these areas,” said Joe Hearn, Dupaco Foundation Secretary and President/CEO of Dupaco Community Credit Union. “Through this grant program, we aim to amplify the efforts of these nonprofits, fostering innovation and creating opportunities for growth and development.”

The Foundation will award $250,000 in grant funding. Individual grant amounts are available up to $20,000, depending on scope and scale of the project. Proposals should demonstrate clear, impactful goals with measurable outcomes.

This is the second year of the annual program. In 2024, twenty-nine nonprofit organizations were awarded a total of $250,000 in grants.

Online applications are being accepted now through May 30, 2025. Grants will be awarded in July 2025. For more information and to apply, visit www.dupaco.com/ways-we-give.

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ABOUT DUPACO FOUNDATION:
Dupaco R.W. Hoefer Foundation, also known as Dupaco Foundation (the “Foundation”), is a tax-exempt private foundation described in Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). The Foundation is a separate legal entity from Dupaco Community Credit Union (the “Credit Union”) and is governed by its own Board of Directors and officers. The Foundation was established in 2011 to honor the retirement of 47-year employee and long-time Dupaco Community Credit Union President and CEO, Robert W. “Bob” Hoefer. The Foundation is designed to carry on the Bob Hoefer tradition of providing personal financial assistance and coaching to help hardworking and financially prudent people recover from unforeseen life events and to increase their opportunities for financial stability. Learn more at www.dupaco.com/foundation.

Oak Bank Joins Wisconsin Bankers Association’s Power of Community Week with Week-Long Volunteer Efforts

Madison, WI – Oak Bank is proud to announce participation in the Wisconsin Banker’s Association’s Power of Community Week. This event runs from April 21 to 26 as part of National Community Banking Month. In celebration, Oak Bank associates will come together to give back to the local community. Our efforts will help underscore the bank’s ongoing commitment to building lasting relationships with our local businesses, schools, families, and friends.

Oak Bank associates will volunteer nearly 100 hours during the week. They will help several local organizations and initiatives that support the well-being of individuals and families-in-need.

“At Oak Bank, we don’t just do business in the community – we live here and are proud to call it home. Participating in Power of Community Week is a way for us to strengthen our deep ties to the people and organizations that make our community special,” explains Terry Taylor, Oak Bank President.

Oak Bank’s Volunteer Schedule for Power of Community Week:

• Monday, April 21: Clean-up at Three Gaits Therapy Stables, supporting equine-assisted therapy for individuals with disabilities.
• Tuesday, April 22: Decorate lunch bags for the Ronald McDonald House, bringing cheer to families in need.
• Wednesday, April 23: Assemble birthday kits for families supported by the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church food pantry.
• Thursday, April 24: Prepare a home-cooked meal for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House.
• Friday, April 25: Volunteer at a Habitat for Humanity build site, helping to construct homes for local families.

Beyond this week, Oak Bank dedicates time, resources, and energy to support a variety of local organizations and causes every year, reinforcing the importance of giving back to the communities we serve. For more information about Oak Bank’s community involvement, please visit https://www.oak.bank.

About Oak Bank

Oak Bank has been deeply rooted in the Fitchburg community and Madison area for 25 years, meeting the financial needs of homeowners and businesses by offering top-notch service, quick answers, and creative solutions, all while supporting over 135 local nonprofits each year. Visit oak.bank to learn more.