Brookfield-based Fiserv Inc. announced that in recognition of its 25th year as a company, Fiserv employees will far exceed the company’s goal of donating 25,000 volunteer hours to hundreds of charitable organizations across the world.

The “Fiserv Gives Back: 25 for 25” community service program was launched last summer to mark the 25th anniversary of the company and give its 20,000 employees an opportunity to volunteer together to multiply their positive impact in local communities.

“This is an effort to celebrate the first 25 years of Fiserv and stand with our associates who already give back to the communities where we live and do business. It is not surprising that once again Fiserv associates have exceeded expectations,” said Don MacDonald, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Fiserv. “As individuals and teams, they continue to demonstrate that they are valuable contributors to charitable causes in their towns and cities, in addition to their responsibilities serving Fiserv clients. We are extremely proud of the individual and cumulative impact Fiserv associates are making every day.”

Fiserv associates logged 27,917 hours in the last three and a half months to surpass the goal of 25,000 hours.

Fiserv employees logged their volunteer hours on a networking website launched to promote and measure employees’ efforts. The internal site provides a database to enable employees to select opportunities based on their interests and skills. It also allows Fiserv to note associates who have gone above and beyond in their communities, and recognize them as they join the volunteer corp. Fiserv will honor its local heroes in the communities where they volunteer.

One of the largest donations of time across Fiserv was the support of the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s Race for the Cure and Passionately Pink programs to raise money for breast cancer research. Fiserv raised more than $70,000 as it sponsored teams in 11 cities with more than 650 employees volunteering, running, walking, donating or raising funds.

“We value the generosity and dedication to this worthy cause. Virtually everyone has a friend, relative or loved one who has been touched by cancer. This is an excellent way to work together to make a difference in our communities,” said Tom Warsop, group president, Financial Institution Services, Fiserv. 

Fiserv employees will continue donating and logging volunteer hours for the 25th anniversary program through next March. The company hopes to log an additional 25,000 hours by that time, reaching a second goal of 50,000 total hours volunteered by employees around the world.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin will grant over 40 wishes as a result of the Connie & Fish Radio-A-Thon recently broadcast on 97.3 The Brew in Milwaukee.

The 24-hour radio-a-thon featured live interviews with wish families every hour and additional interviews with local medical professionals talking about the power of a wish. In total, the radio-a-thon raised just over $200,000, helping grant over 40 of the more than 240 wishes currently in process for Wisconsin children. The radio-a-thon also broadcast on Z104 in Madison.

“We were completely awed by the generosity of Z104 and 97.3 The Brew’s listeners,” said Patti Gorsky, president of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Wisconsin. “We are so grateful to Connie and Fish and the entire staff at Clear Channel for helping share the impact a wish makes on a child with a life-threatening medical condition, his or her family and the community.”

The radio-a-thon included many powerful moments, including musical montages featuring wish family stories; a song recorded by wish child Mikie and a live reading of a poem written by a wish mom after her nine-year-old was diagnosed with leukemia.

Listeners supported the Foundation by calling in donations, giving online and participating in an online auction.

“We could not have done this without our many valuable volunteers who helped us answer phones, run errands and work with wish families,” said Gorsky. “We are also thankful to Panera and Maggianos who provided meals for the staff and volunteers over both days.”

The Sojourner Family Peace Center wants Milwaukee residents to help brighten the holidays for local families affected by domestic violence by either donating gifts to its holiday gift drive or through its Adopt a Family program.

Companies and individuals can participate in the Adopt a Family program by providing items for a specific family in need.  Donors are given the family’s “wish list” and are free to buy as little or as much as they would like. As demand escalates for shelters, domestic violence programs and crisis hot lines, the economic downturn means fewer donations are available to support those services. Every token of kindness helps brighten the holidays for families who have suffered from the devastating effects of domestic violence. Sojourner Family Peace Center will collect new, unwrapped clothes and toys for the individuals and families it serves between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on designated days from Dec. 12-21 at the United Way, 225 W. Vine St. All new gifts are welcome and appreciated. A list of most-requested items is available at www.sojournertruthhouse.org/documents/2009HolidayWishList.doc.

Christmas Clearing Council of Waukesha County (CCC) wants the community to step up during the last remaining week of its Christmas gift drive for children in need in Waukesha County.  A total of more than 4,800 children will need help this year due to the current economic crisis and an increase in applications from needy families. 

“We still have about 950 children in our files to be sponsored. Sponsorship is a great way for people to help children in need directly through a personal connection with the family,” said Ruth Page Jones, CCC’s executive director.  “Through sponsorship, we are able to make certain that a child gets that special gift that he or she has been wishing for.  In many instances, children have requests for things the rest of us might take for granted like a warm coat or boots.”

CCC is still taking calls through Tuesday, Dec. 15 from families and organizations that are interested in personally sponsoring a family.  Sponsorship includes purchasing toys and/or clothing for each child in a family for a suggested amount of $60 per child.  Sponsors are given a family’s name and contact information to obtain information on the family’s needs and make arrangements to deliver the gifts to the family. 

“It would be wonderful if families, businesses and organizations in the community could help us fulfill these children’s requests and call us to sponsor a family – there is still time. We are also asking people to consider donating new, unwrapped toys at one of our toy drop-off locations for those children for whom we don’t find sponsors,” said Jones.

Toy donations will be accepted until Wednesday, Dec. 16 at one of 75 CCC toy drop-off locations throughout the county.  A complete list of toy drop-off locations can be found on CCC’s website, www.christmasclearingcouncil.org. Those interested in sponsoring a family, toy drop-off locations or volunteering are encouraged to call CCC at (262) 549-NOEL (6635) or visit the website at www.christmasclearingcoucil.org for more information.

Ozaukee Family Services (OFS) recently received the Grafton Outstanding Community Group Award for 2009. The letter of nomination submitted for the award to the Grafton Chamber of Commerce stated that "even in these very challenging economic times, Ozaukee Family Services did not fall short of meeting local needs . . . no one was put on a waiting list or turned away because of lack of funding."

“People tend to forget that in a county as wealthy as ours, there are people who are struggling,” says Cheri Farnsworth, executive director of OFS.

A citation by the State Senate recognized OFS for its outstanding commitment and service to the community by providing education and support for families without turning away those who cannot pay.  It commended OFS for taking a grassroots, neighbor-to-neighbor approach while operating as a fiscally responsible agency. Last year, OFS helped improve the lives of more than 8,000 individuals. 

Left to right:  State Rep. Mark Gottlieb, Cheri Farnsworth and Kathy Bergmann of Ozaukee Family Services, and State Sen. Glenn Grothman.

From now until the end of the year, customers who donate $10 toward local families in Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties in need will have their donations matched by Good Harvest. Donations will go towards the Hunger Task Force in Milwaukee and the Waukesha County Food Pantry.

"Holiday times and cold weather can be especially trying times for families who are having financial difficulties, and we hope that our gesture of doubling customer donations will spur on other food stores in the area to do the same," said Jody Nolan, store owner. "Good Harvest has wonderful customers, and we’re excited to work with them to donate food to local residents less fortunate than themselves.”

Milwaukee’s Hunger Task Force helps feed more than 45,000 people each month and the Waukesha Food Pantry helps over 6,000 local residents in need. Good Harvest Market has donated to the Waukesha Food Pantry since the Waukesha location opened 5 years ago, and after last year’s opening of the Third Ward location, they're now helping Milwaukee’s Hunger Task Force as well.

Exciting Events added Michelle (Shelly) Bertholf to its staff as the nonprofit coordinator. She will assist nonprofits in transforming galas, walks and other events into vibrant arenas with innovative decor, one-of-a-kind lighting techniques and the best in audio and video.  She will also spearhead the annual $100,000 in-kind donation program at Exciting Events while assisting non-profits in taking their events to the next level. Bertholf has been involved in nonprofits for seven years and continues to be an active member within our community. She serves on two boards including YP Impact and Strut 4 a Cure.

Basilica Foundation names new executive director

The board of directors of the St. Josaphat Basilica Foundation announces the appointment of its first full-time executive director, Susan Rabe. 

“As the foundation expands its reach and presence within the Milwaukee community and beyond, we were looking for a business professional with a successful history of developing positive relationships and the energy and passion to continue our mission of preserving, restoring and enhancing the St. Josaphat Basilica,” said Michael Murry, chairman.  “There are so many opportunities to share the Basilica and its heritage with the greater Milwaukee area residents and visitors to our city.  Susan brings personal connection to the Basilica as well as her experience in leadership, management, marketing and public relations.”

Susan has 29 years of experience in business development and management consulting.  She is transitioning from the for - profit sector having worked for the world’s largest risk/management consulting firm, heading up the Milwaukee risk and health care practice.  She has a proven track record of building business and a strong background of fundraising and commitment to community through her volunteer leadership for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Archdiocese of Milwaukee, Rotary Club of Downtown Milwaukee and Milwaukee Achiever Literacy Services tutor and Board positions.

Vrakas Blum shareholder named to UW-Whitewater council

Brookfield-based public accounting and advisory firm Vrakas/Blum, S.C. announced that James Holmes, CPA, managing shareholder and president, has been named a board member of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Charitable Gift Planning Advisory Council.

“As a graduate of UW-Whitewater, I am proud and honored to serve on the board of the Charitable Gift Planning Advisory Council,” said Holmes. “I am excited about my term as a board member and committed to helping maximize the value of donations made to this first-class institution.” Holmes, a 1984 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, began his accounting career at Vrakas/Blum in 1985. As managing shareholder and president, he is responsible for key strategic management and decision-making activities for the firm. Holmes primarily focuses on providing strategic planning services to high net worth individuals and business owners.

Name Matthew P. Cody, CPA

Employer RitzHolman CPAs

Title Senior Accountant

Nonprofit Organization My Good Mourning Place

Nonprofit Address

4005 W. Oklahoma Ave.

Milwaukee, WI  53215

Website www.mygoodmourningplace.org

Mission of the Organization My Good Mourning Place is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting children and their families who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Families are offered support, understanding, empathy and education in a safe environment that is conducive to acceptance, respect, trust and caring throughout the grief process.

How did you become a board member? I was introduced to My Good Mourning Place through a coworker.  After three months of attending meetings, volunteering at fund-raising events and hearing more about the organization’s mission and programs, I was hooked.

How long have you been on the board? I have been on the board for about two years.

How would you encourage others to get on a board? There are several ways to get involved with a board of directors for a nonprofit organization.  Many times an opportunity will present itself while communicating with colleagues and clients.  Don’t be afraid to ask them for more information about the organization, its mission and volunteer opportunities.  Another great way to network with executive directors and board presidents is to attend a charity event that is sponsored by your employer.  Oftentimes these professionals are aware of available positions and they can assist you to locate an organization or board that is a good fit for you. In addition, consider contacting a nonprofit organization that specializes in connecting professionals with volunteer opportunities, such as the Volunteer Center of Greater Milwaukee.

What is your role on the board? I am a member of the finance committee and I run My Good Mourning Place’s bingo fund-raiser.

Why do you volunteer? Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community by utilizing your greatest assets: your professional skills and time.  Every nonprofit organization appreciates the time you take out of your busy schedule to make their organization thrive and succeed.  Personally, volunteering is important to me because I can look back at the times that I have benefited from it.  I am thankful to those who donated their time and skills to the Boy Scout Troop and sports teams that I participated in when I was younger.  Their contributions were always helpful to our cause.

How can business people/the community help your organization? Any donation of time, skill set, networking contacts and monetary donations are always greatly appreciated.

Best Volunteering Memory I recently participated in Milwaukee’s Make-A-Difference Day and at the kick-off program I was impressed by the number of volunteers who rallied together for one day to help older adults prepare for winter by raking leaves, washing windows and other projects.  The enthusiasm in the room was energizing and I enjoyed meeting the homeowners and listening to their stories.