Category: Corporate Social Responsibility
Photo by Richard Hurd
Destination Madison Launches #ShopMadison Campaign Urging Community to Support Local Businesses
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT INFORMATION
Anna Shircel
PR & Communications Manager
920-980-8472; shircel@visitmadison.com
Destination Madison Launches #ShopMadison Campaign Urging Community to Support Local Businesses
Campaign Toolkit Available for Businesses and Nonprofits to Promote Buying Local
MADISON, WIS. (December 3, 2020) – As COVID continues to impact the lives and livelihoods of people throughout greater Madison, buying local is critical this holiday season. Dane County is full of unique shops and restaurants owned by passionate people in need of help during this tough 2020. To promote the importance of saving these treasured community assets, Destination Madison announced the kick-off of a new “Shop Madison” campaign and pledge. The campaign, launched in collaboration with a number of local business groups and associations, urges Dane County residents to pledge to support at least ten local businesses by December 31, 2020.
“When you make a purchase from a local business, you are supporting your neighbors and your community. Shopping local keeps money in Dane County, which helps preserve the vibrant and diverse quality of life we enjoy here,” said Deb Archer, President and CEO of Destination Madison.
“Why go to the Amazon when you can shop the Isthmus?” said Jason Ilstrup, President of Downtown Madison, Inc. “Every dollar spent at small businesses in Dane County, from State Street to South Park Street, Middleton to Sun Prairie, supports people in our community who offer the services and supplies that make our lives better in Madison.”
“The Madison business community is resilient, diverse and is available to service many of our needs. Despite limited financial support from our government, they continue to work diligently to keep their business doors open,” remarked Camille Carter, President and CEO of Madison Black Chamber of Commerce. “It’s essential that we support them in every way possible. Seek them out because they do exist and matter. You can also use local resources like the Madison Black and Latino chambers of commerce to help find local, small businesses. But do shop local!”
Residents can offer support through carryout or dine-in at a local restaurant, buying gifts from one of the many local shops and boutiques in greater Madison, booking a night at a hotel for a quick getaway, donating to a local nonprofit, or sharing love and messages to local businesses on social media. Businesses, nonprofits and business associations can access a free #ShopMadison toolkit to promote buying local to their audiences.
Take the “Shop Madison” pledge here. Follow @visitmadison on Facebook and Instagram to discover curated, local gift ideas this holiday season.
About Destination Madison: Destination Madison is honored to play a key role in supporting the thousands of Dane County jobs supported by tourism. Promoting tourism in Madison since 1972, Destination Madison continues to work strategically to expand upon the more than $1.4 billion dollars generated by visitor spending in Dane County in 2019. For the most up-to-date information, visit our website visitmadison.com
Photo by Richard Hurd
Be a Part of the 25th Anniversary NBC15 Share Your Holidays Grand Finale
Contact:
Pam Higham
Volunteer Services Manager
608.216.7214
You’re invited to sign up for available volunteer spots at the Grand Finale Phone-a-thon or Sort-a-thon on Wednesday, December 9!
During last year’s NBC15 Share Your Holidays to eliminate hunger campaign, we focused on the difference that ONE person/donation/dollar can do for those struggling with hunger. This focus helped us raise a record 4.5 Million Meals! Building on the power of ONE, we know for our clients that there are so many hopeful moments that fill this blank: Because of YOU___________.”
- Because of you, the campaign helps provide 1/3 of the more than 14 million meals Second Harvest provides every year.
- Because of you, new programs like school pantries and Kids Cafes are giving children at risk in our community enough healthy food so they can grow, learn, and reach their full potential.
If you would like to volunteer at these well-organized and safe events, please reply to me at your earliest convenience with the number of desired volunteer spots and coordinating time slots. You’ll find links to the up to the minute schedule below.
If you are signing up for a group, you do not need to provide names at this time but are asked to provide individual volunteer names and email addresses by this Friday, December 4. We are planning on a no contact check in process at the events and need this information in advance to ensure safety.
Schedules will be updated each time spots are secured.
Phone-a-thon (View Schedule) yellow cells = available
Sort-a-thon (View Schedule) yellow cells = available
The schedules and more details are located on this webpage:
https://www.secondharvestmadison.org/nbc15-share-your-holidays/grand-finale-volunteering
If you can’t volunteer, but still want to help… consider donating on Wednesday, December 9 when all donations will be doubled!
Photo by Richard Hurd
WPS Charitable Foundation funds insurance scholarships in partnership with Urban League of Greater Madison and Madison College
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-977-7343
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com
Bill Bessette
Senior Communications Lead
608-769-6798
wbessette@madisoncollege.edu
WPS Charitable Foundation funds insurance scholarships in partnership with Urban League of Greater Madison and Madison College
MADISON, Wis.—Nov. 23, 2020—The WPS Charitable Foundation has donated $25,000 that will give selected students the opportunity to earn an insurance certificate through Madison College.
“While working on a plan to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion at WPS Health Solutions, we realized there is a golden opportunity to help those in our community to pursue an education that could lead to a career in the insurance industry. We reached out to Madison College and the Urban League of Greater Madison, and the scholarship plan quickly came together,” said Jim Baird, Executive Vice President of WPS Health Insurance.
The Urban League worked with Madison College to enroll students in the 14-credit Insurance Certificate for the Business Professional program under full scholarships. The WPS Charitable Foundation currently is funding eight students. Participants will graduate in spring 2021 and will receive ongoing support, career advising, and opportunities for employment with WPS or other local employers after graduation.
“When approached in early fall 2020 about efforts to recruit more people into the insurance field, we knew this opportunity would be mutually beneficial to the community we serve as well as to our partners at WPS to help meet their workforce needs,” said Dr. Ruben L. Anthony Jr., President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Madison.
“Through the generosity of the WPS Charitable Foundation, individuals who may not have otherwise had the opportunity to go to college are receiving an education to pursue business careers in the insurance industry,” said Madison College Provost Dr. Turina Bakken. “This is a pathway to very competitive wages in a stable field with a large presence in our state. The career opportunities are endless.”
About WPS Health Solutions
Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation is a nationally regarded benefits administrator for a variety of U.S. government programs and a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation utilizes “WPS Health Solutions” to refer to our entire enterprise. Within our enterprise, there are three divisions, including Government Health Administrators, Military and Veterans Health, and WPS Health Insurance/WPS Health Plan/EPIC Specialty Benefits. WPS Government Health Administrators manages Medicare Part A and Part B benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and WPS Military and Veterans Health serves millions of members of the U.S. military and their families through TRICARE and Veterans Affairs programs. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation has been based in Madison, Wis., for nearly 75 years. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.
About Madison College
Madison College serves more than 33,000 students throughout a 12-county district in south-central Wisconsin, offering nearly 180 diverse career programs, diplomas and certificates. Its mission is to provide open access to quality higher education that fosters lifelong learning and success in the communities it serves. Madison College is the second-largest institution in the Wisconsin Technical College System.
About the Urban League of Greater Madison
The mission of the Urban League of Greater Madison is to ensure that African Americans and other community members are educated, employed, and empowered to live well, advance professionally, and contribute to the common good in the 21st century. The Workforce Development team provides connections between high-demand industries and job seekers in the community. For more information, please visit ulgm.org.
Photo by Richard Hurd
WPS Health Solutions donates $20,000 to The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness to improve health and reduce disparities
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
DeAnne Boegli
Vice President of Communications
608-977-7343
deanne.boegli@wpsic.com
WPS Health Solutions donates $20,000 to The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness to improve health and reduce disparities
MADISON, Wis.—Oct. 16, 2020—WPS Health Solutions today announced a $20,000 gift to The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness, a Madison-based nonprofit organization that works to eliminate health disparities impacting African American women and their families. The gift will support the Foundation’s health and wellness education and heart disease prevention efforts.
WPS Health Solutions has a long history of investment in local efforts that build strong, healthy communities. The Madison-based company has nearly 4,000 team members throughout much of the United Sates, including Wisconsin, Illinois, Nebraska, Missouri, and Virginia.
“In considering our giving priorities this year, WPS chose to support The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness based on its strong record of work and leadership to improve Black women’s health outcomes, and to drive health equity in Wisconsin where racial disparities are among the highest in the nation,” said Scott Kowalski, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications.
Established in 2012, The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness engages and supports over 5,000 women and girls each year to build healthier lives through education, outreach, support circles, powerful partnerships, and by influencing systemic change. The organization has gained statewide and national recognition for its advocacy to advance Black women’s well-being as a public health priority.
“We are honored and excited that WPS chose us as one of its giving partners and at this crucial time where the need is so great,” says Foundation CEO and President Lisa Peyton-Caire. “As we confront long-standing health disparities compounded by COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on Black women and families here in Wisconsin and across the nation, never has it been more urgent to support Black women to live their healthiest lives. We look forward to the powerful impacts we will make with WPS’ generous support.”
About WPS Health Solutions
Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions) is a nationally regarded government contractor and a leading Wisconsin not-for-profit health insurer. The WPS Health Insurance division offers affordable health plans and benefits administration. The WPS Government Health Administrators division administers Part A and B Medicare benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and the WPS Military and Veterans Health division serves millions more members who are active in the U.S. military, veterans, and their families. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation has been based in Madison, Wis., for nearly 75 years. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.
About The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness
Established in June 2012, The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness is a Wisconsin-based nonprofit organization committed to mobilizing African American women to pursue and sustain mind-body-spirit wellness, and to raise the visibility and support of Black women’s health as a community and public health priority. To learn more, please visit ffbww.org.
Left to right: Lisa Peyton-Caire, founding CEO and President of the Foundation; Scott Kowalski, Executive Vice President of Marketing and Communications at WPS; Janine Stephens, Chief Operations Officer of the Foundation; Megan Willauer, Director of Events & Strategic Partnerships at WPS; and Alia Stevenson, Chief Programs Officer of the Foundation.