Oak Bank Proudly Supports GiGi’s Playhouse Madison “Believe in Our Build” Campaign

Fitchburg, WI – Oak Bank is proud to announce a $5,000 donation to support GiGi’s Playhouse Madison and its “Believe in Our Build” campaign. It’s an exciting community-driven effort to create a new, expanded, and fully inclusive home in Fitchburg, right in the heart of the community Oak Bank serves.

The “Believe in Our Build” campaign is bringing GiGi’s Playhouse Madison to a new location on Botanical Drive in Fitchburg. With the new home, the organization will expand its ability to offer free educational, therapeutic, and career development programs for individuals and families impacted by Down syndrome. The new space will include classrooms, a gym, learning labs, a kitchen, and welcoming gathering spaces designed to foster confidence, independence, and achievement.

“Oak Bank believes strongly in investing in projects close to home that make a lasting difference,” said Terry Taylor, President & CEO of Oak Bank. “GiGi’s Playhouse Madison is building more than a facility — they are building opportunity, inclusion, and belonging for families in Fitchburg and surrounding communities.”

Oak Bank’s support of GiGi’s Playhouse Madison reflects its broader commitment to community-focused initiatives further underscoring the bank’s dedication to enhancing quality of life and care for individuals and families across the region.

“We believe in what GiGi’s Playhouse is building — not just in brick and mortar, but in the lives of individuals and families who will benefit for years to come,” added Bob Gorsuch, Executive Chairman & Founder of Oak Bank. “We’re especially excited to see GiGi’s Playhouse put down roots in Fitchburg — our home, too.”

As a local community bank, Oak Bank remains committed to meaningful partnerships that create long-term positive impact, ensuring that the places where people live, work, and grow continue to thrive.

About Oak Bank

Oak Bank has been deeply rooted in the Fitchburg community and Madison area for almost 26 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.

About GiGi’s Playhouse Madison

GiGi’s Playhouse Madison is a free educational and therapeutic resource center for people with Down syndrome, their families, and the wider community. Through its one-on-one programming — including math, literacy, speech, and career development — the Playhouse serves as a powerful source of support, belonging, and growth. The new “forever home” will allow GiGi’s to expand its reach, deepen its impact, and build a lasting foundation for generations to come. gigisplayhouse.org/Madison

Madison Children’s Museum tackles loneliness epidemic with friend-making event

(Madison, Wis.) —If you’ve ever scrolled through Madison’s Reddit forum, you’ve seen the posts from newcomers, recent grads, and young professionals all asking the same question: “How do I make friends as an adult?” Madison Children’s Museum has been paying attention, and they’re doing something about it.

On Friday, February 6 from 5:30-9:00 pm, the museum will host “Adult Swim: How to Make Friends in Madison,” a specially designed event for adults 21 and over who are looking to build connections in their community. The event responds directly to a recurring query on local social media: outside of work, where can adult professionals meet new friends?

“We know that people everywhere are struggling with making meaningful connections,” said event organizer Amanda Strobel, manager of strategic initiatives at Madison Children’s Museum. “We kept seeing these posts on the Madison subreddit from people who had just moved here for work or had aged out of the college scene and genuinely didn’t know how to meet people. We wanted to create a fun space where making friends feels a little less intimidating.”

The event will feature friendship-focused activities throughout the museum’s four floors and rooftop, including Friend Speed Dating with conversation prompts, Meet a Friend Bingo, collaborative games, and Premiere Trivia sessions at 6, 7, and 8 pm. The evening will also feature a pop-up performance by Madison Shakespeare Company at 7 pm, specialty cocktails and beer from State Line Distillery and Delta Beer Lab, and Filipino cuisine from Kanto Fiesta food truck. 

“People meet new friends at the museum every day,” said Molly Backes, communications specialist. “Granted, they’re usually children, but we’re excited to share our friend-making expertise with grownups, too. Bringing people together and building community feels more important than ever. The good news is that it can also be really fun.”

Event Details:

• What: Adult Swim: How to Make Friends in Madison
• When: Friday, February 6, 2026; 5:30–9 pm
• Where: Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N. Hamilton St.
• Tickets: $20 advance, $25 day-of; groups of 10+ save 10%
• Info & Tickets: MadisonChildrensMuseum.org
• Age Requirement: 21+

Madison Children’s Museum:

• Connects children with their families, their community and the world beyond through creative learning and discovery play
• Strives to make all families feel welcome, valued, and included by living the ideals of Access, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Is a community hub for children and families from every corner of Madison, and serves more than 200,000 visitors per year
• Is a community partner and gateway for families to access and participate in other cultural institutions and community programs

Founded in 1980, the museum’s hands-on exhibits and programs celebrate and encourage children’s imaginations and the power of play as cornerstones of learning. The museum is a proud recipient of the 2011 National Medal for Museum Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. To learn more, visit MadisonChildrensMuseum.org, call (608) 256-6445, and follow on Facebook and Instagram.

Community Input Sessions for MMSD Phase 2 Facilities Referendum Set for This Week

MADISON, Wis.—The Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) will host a series of upcoming public input sessions focused on Phase 2 projects included in the district’s facilities referendum work.

Session dates, times and locations are as follow:

• Orchard Ridge Elementary School/Akira R. Toki Middle School
  5602 Russett Rd., Madison, WI 53711
  Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Cafeteria
  
• Cherokee Heights Middle School
  4301 Cherokee Dr., Madison, WI 53711
  Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Library
  
• Ray F. Sennett Middle School
  502 Pflaum Rd., Madison, WI 53716
  Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Cafeteria

The sessions will provide an opportunity for community members to learn more about planned upgrades at these schools and to share feedback directly with the teams responsible for designing and building them.

“Community voice has been central to every step of this work,” said Scott Chehak, MMSD senior executive director of building services. “These sessions give families, neighbors and community members a meaningful opportunity to help shape learning environments that will serve students and the broader public for decades to come.”

Phase 2 projects were made possible by strong community support for the district’s facilities referendum. In addition to improving learning spaces for students, the upgraded schools are designed to function as community assets, supporting neighborhood use and strengthening connections between schools and the communities they serve.

Community members are encouraged to attend the session associated with their school or neighborhood, though all are welcome to participate in any meeting. 

Additional information about MMSD’s facilities referendum projects is available on the district’s website.

###

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.

Pack the Pantry on State Street! (Jan. 16–Feb. 14)

The River Food Pantry is currently moving to its new home at 3301 Packers Ave on Madison’s Northside. This larger facility will allow The River—Dane County’s busiest food pantry—to expand their services and reach even more people as the need for food assistance continues to rise.

Before opening their doors in late January, The River needs our help to fill their new warehouse with food and essentials for our community.

You and your business are invited to support this effort by participating in Pack the Pantry on Packers Ave. There are several ways to get involved:

1.     Donate Food Directly: Drop off nonperishable donations at either of the following locations:

• 127 State Street: Volunteers will collect donations starting Friday, Jan. 16–Saturday, Feb. 14, at the following times:
  • Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 am–1:30 pm
  • Fridays from 4–7 pm
  • Saturdays from 12–7 pm
• The River, 3301 Packers Ave: Look for the black donation drop-off bin near the loading docks, available Monday–Friday from 10 am–2 pm starting Jan. 9. A drive-thru donation drop-off will also be held on Monday, Jan. 26 from 10 am–4 pm.

2.     Host a Food Drive: Use your business to collect food and supplies in one of The River’s donation barrels or your own containers. You can focus on collecting 1 type of item or a variety of nonperishables.

3.     Host a Round-Up Campaign: Offer customers the opportunity to round up their purchase at checkout to support The River.

4.     Sponsor Cases of Food and Supplies: Make a financial contribution to help The River purchase cases at wholesale pricing to fill pallets in the new warehouse.

Businesses that donate $1,500 or more will receive sponsorship benefits, including recognition on our website, at 127 State Street, and more!

Learn more and give today at www.riverfoodpantry.org/pack-the-pantry.

Stories of Campus and Culture Celebrates Black History, Storytelling, and UW–Madison Alumni Community

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Alumni Association’s Black Affinity Group will host Legacy & Libations: Stories of Campus and Culture on Sunday, February 1, 2026, from 3:00–5:00 p.m. at the Urban League Black Business Hub in Madison. The free event invites alumni and community members to gather for an afternoon celebrating Black legacy, cultural storytelling, and connection within the UW–Madison community.

The program will feature a cultural presentation by the SoulFolk Collective, highlighting narratives rooted in Black history and campus experience, along with wine education led by the Milwaukee Wine Academy, spotlighting Black-owned producers and the cultural significance of wine. Guests will also enjoy curated snacks and opportunities for alumni networking and community engagement.

The event is free and open to alumni and the public, with advance registration encouraged.

Event Details:
What: Legacy & Libations: Stories of Campus and Culture
When: Sunday, February 1, 2026 | 3:00–5:00 PM
Where: Urban League Hub, TruStage Entrepreneurship Event Center, 2222 S. Park Street, Madison, WI
Cost: Free with RSVP
Register: https://www.uwalumni.com/events/black-ag-legacy-libation-campus-stories/