Madison Reading Project’s Community Book Drive Nearing Goal

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 5, 2024

MORE INFORMATION:

Rowan Childs, Rowan@madisonreadingproject.com, (608) 347-79790
Emily Wills, @madisonreadingproject.com, (773) 318-6784

Madison Reading Project’s Community Book Drive Nearing Goal

DANE COUNTY –  Madison Reading Project is asking for your support this holiday giving season to reach its goal of $110,000 during its fifth annual Community Book Drive!.

“We’re committed to growing book ownership for children in Southern Wisconsin by giving away hundreds of new books this holiday season,” says Rowan Childs, Madison Reading Project’s Co-Executive Director and Founder. “Your monetary donations help contribute to our larger goal of year-round book-giving. And, we’re almost there!”

“Together, we’ll get new books that children want, many of whom have few books in their homes,” Childs adds. “We’re confident we’ll reach our donation goals. Everyone deserves that new book feeling, especially our children.”

Donations of books and cash for book buying stay here in the Dane County-area, going to numerous school districts, social workers, educators, and large toy and book-giving events such as Wisconsin State Journal’s Empty Stocking Club, Toys for Tots, Gifts for Christmas, and Santas Without Chimneys, ensuring that hundreds of children get a new book this month.

Local bookstores participating in Community Book Drive include Lake City Books, Mystery To Me, Leopold’s Books Bar Cafe, Room of One’s Own, Book Deal, and Books 4 School. 

“Books may be donated online or at several of our bookseller partners across Dane County or at our Book Center, 1337 Greenway Cross, in Madison,” Childs adds. “Donations are cheerfully accepted throughout December.” 

Visit Madison Reading Project’s website for more on the book drive, book suggestions, book-giving programs, or to make a monetary contribution:  www.madisonreadingproject.com/communitybookdrive

Madison Reading Project is a nonprofit organization with a mission to connect the community with free books and literacy enrichment programs that ignite a love for reading. 

—30—

The annual Community Book Drive helps Madison Reading Project distribute books to children during the holiday season.  

Endres Foundation Announces November 2024 Grants

Read the press release here

One Community Bank Invests in Education: $5,000 Contribution to Monona Grove Education Foundation

December 2, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Ameilia Abraham
One Community Bank
608-838-3141
aabraham@onecommunity.bank

One Community Bank Invests in Education: $5,000 Contribution to Monona Grove Education Foundation

(December 2024) – Continuing its mission to invest in communities, One Community Bank is thrilled to announce a $5,000 donation match to the Monona Grove Education Foundation (MGEF) CARES Campaign. For any donations made in the month of December, OCB will match up to $5,000. The CARES Campaign centers on children, awareness, resources, education, and stability. Funds raised through this annual initiative will directly support teachers and students within the Monona Grove School District, fostering a stronger and more resilient educational community.

“This is an incredible opportunity to support and invest in the communities of Cottage Grove and Monona,” said Dan Carey, Chief Commercial Officer at One Community Bank. “We are thrilled to contribute to the CARES Campaign and help create lasting benefits for students, teachers, and families. We look forward to this being just the beginning of a strong and impactful partnership with the Monona Grove Education Foundation and the Monona Grove School District, working together to build a brighter future for our community.”

The Monona Grove Education Foundation provides opportunities in and out of the classroom to better educate and prepare students for life after graduation. MGEF runs five different programs within the school district, including the Pay It Forward Campaign, Monona Grove Weekend Snack Pack Program, Summer Scholarship Program, MGEF Teacher Innovation Grants, and the Rundle Starting Line Fund.

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to One Community Bank for their generous investment in MGEF,” said Jason McCutchin, President of the Monona Grove Education Foundation. “Their contribution to the CARES Campaign will make a significant, positive impact on our students, adding an extra layer of excitement and support to their educational journey.”

---

One Community Bank is one of the largest community banks in south central Wisconsin. The locally owned bank has 16 bank locations and $2.2 billion in assets. It provides both personal and business banking solutions, with an intense focus on serving clients, supporting colleagues, and investing in its communities. Six years in a row named one of Madison’s best places to work, One Community Bank serves the communities of Oregon, McFarland, Cottage Grove, Waunakee, Stoughton, Sun Prairie, Middleton, Adams, Oxford, Grand Marsh, Hillsboro, La Farge, Readstown, Wonewoc, and Union Center. Member FDIC.

Downtown Madison: Introducing: Sip & Glow – A King Street Holiday Block Party

DOWNTOWN MADISON, WI – Madison’s Central Business Improvement District (BID) is excited to introduce Downtown Madison’s newest holiday tradition: Sip & Glow – A King Street Holiday Block Party. Join us on Friday, December 6, from 6-9 p.m. on the 100 blocks of King Street and S. Pinckney Street for live music, a holiday craft market, food and beverage specials, an ugly sweater contest and more!

A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit YWCA Madison, located at 101 E. Mifflin St. YWCA Madison is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Their work is holistic and aims to empower marginalized communities, especially women and girls of color, while working to dismantle structural barriers to equity.

“We at YWCA Madison are incredibly grateful to our downtown neighbors on King Street for uplifting our mission and standing with us in the ongoing journey of eliminating racism and empowering women,” said Gery Paredes Vásquez, YWCA Madison CEO. “Thank you so much for your support!”

PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES

The Majestic, The Rigby, D’Vino, WOOFS, Good News Cafe and Ice Cream, Tipsy Cow, Settle Down Tavern, Oz by Oz, Ancora Cafe + Bakery, Maduro, Merchant and Lucille

HOLIDAY CRAFT VENDORS

• Youa Lor
• Sweet Space Studio
• Matt Perrin Photography
• Welcoming Simplicity Co
• Happy Hooksters
• tiny tuna
• University Embroidery

UGLY SWEATER CONTEST

Come dressed to (un)impress in your ugliest holiday sweater! Find the Downtown Madison table in the holiday market to enter the contest for a suggested $3 donation to YWCA Madison. Ugly Sweater judging begins at 8 p.m. sharp. Must be present to win. Winners will receive a special gift from The Rigby, D’Vino, WOOFS, Good News Cafe and Ice Cream, Tipsy Cow, Ancora Cafe + Bakery, Maduro, Merchant or Lucille. Don’t have an ugly sweater? Wisconsin Historical Society has you covered with their Sip & Craft event earlier in the evening. Bring a sweater, roll up your sleeves and make it ugly while sipping Mocktails in the History Maker Space! (Tickets required.)

SPECIAL THANKS

Shine On Madison events and programming are produced by Madison’s Central Business Improvement District, with generous support from: Madison Gas & Electric, UW Madison Community Relations, Madison National Life (a Horace Mann Company), Steve Brown Apartments, Don’s Home Furniture, Chapter Madison and Park Bank.

MADISON’S CENTRAL BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (BID)

The BID represents more than 360 businesses and 220 property owners. It works to provide services above and beyond the basic city taxpayer responsibility to generate an inviting, safe and inclusive entertainment and business destination that draws people from all parts of the city, county, and the world.

# # #

Agrace Offers Grief Support Group for Young Adults in January

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2024

Contact:
Liz Kopling, Assistant Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Office: (608) 327-7219
Cell: (608) 772-9653
Liz.kopling@agrace.org

Agrace Offers Grief Support Group for Young Adults in January

MADISON, Wis. – Local adults and children in southern Wisconsin who are grieving can find hope and healing through the grief support specialists at Agrace.

This January, Agrace grief specialists will host a Young Adult Grief Support Group. This group provides emotional and peer support in a professionally led setting and requires advance registration.

The Young Adult Grief Support Group is for anyone aged 18 to 30+ who is grieving the death of a loved one, including a parent, child, spouse, sibling or friend. The group meets once a month, and participants can attend as often as they feel the need for support. In January, the group will meet on Wednesday, January 8, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., via Zoom.

There is no fee for this support group if a participant’s family member was served by Agrace Hospice Care or another hospice within the past 12 months. For others, the cost to attend is $20 per session, and the fee can be reduced or waived if needed.

One-on-one grief support is also available in-person, by phone or video chat. This service is open to anyone, even if the person who died did not receive hospice care.

To register for the group, visit Agrace.org/GriefGroups, call (608) 327-7110, or email griefsupport@agrace.org.

Founded in 1978, Agrace is a nonprofit, community-supported health care organization dedicated to providing high-quality care and support to people who are aging, ill, dying or grieving. With offices in Madison, Dodgeville, Janesville, Baraboo and Oconomowoc. Agrace serves 1,800 patients and clients across southern Wisconsin every day. 

###