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$80,000 goal

Waupaca Community Chest begins drive

The Waupaca Community Chest’s annual fundraising campaign is beginning.

Established in 1958, the Waupaca Community Chest raises funds to benefit Waupaca area organizations.

It was formerly known as the Waupaca Area United Way and is returning to its roots this year.

The organization has set a higher fundraising goal for the upcoming year due to the increased community needs seen the past several years.

“We have a campaign goal of $80,000, because we had requests totaling more than $81,000 last year and were only able to distribute $33,000 to 20 community organizations,” said Brian Hoelzel, who is the president of its board of directors.

The prior year, requests from local organizations totaled $61,900.

A total of $54,800 was distributed, after that year’s fundraising campaign.

“The request in funds went up almost more than what was received,” Hoelzel said in regard to this year.

The Waupaca Community Chest’s Allocations Committee reviews and screens all the applications.

The money the organization raises is then distributed through the local volunteers who serve on the organization’s board of directors.

In addition to Hoelzel, its board includes Gordy Barth, Joel Camann, Jesse Cuff, Lana Draeger, Aaron Jenson, Angie Landsverk, Paul Lehman, Bill Lipschultz, Greg Nyen, Sara Reybrock, Jeff Spindler and Brian Yogerst.

Hoelzel said the applications are reviewed to make sure the funds are used locally.

Among the local organizations receiving funds this year were Boy Scout troops, Catholic Charities, Epilepsy Foundation of Central/Northeast Wisconsin, Girl Scouts, Miracle Tree Waupaca, Salvation Army, Waupaca Community Garden, Waupaca County Crimestoppers and Waupaca Thrift Store.

New requests in 2017 included the Waupaca Heroin/AODA Task Force and Project Backpack.

The task force requested $5,000 and received $4,500.

Project Backpack requested $10,000 and received $1,500.

The Waupaca Community Chest strives to fill all the requests it receives from organizations. Donations to the fund drive are tax deductible.

Hoelzel said it is important to help these Waupaca area organizations because of the direct impact they have on the community.

“Without those funds, these organizations may cease to exist,” he said.

This year, the Waupaca Community Chest’s board will begin working to reach new donors through the creation of an online presence.

A website is expected to be launched in early 2018.

Donations for the fund drive may be mailed to Waupaca Community Chest, P.O. Box 94, Waupaca, WI 54981-0094.

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