Community members gathered in Sheboygan for the unveiling of a new space at the United Way of Sheboygan County.
The United Way held a ribbon-cutting yesterday (October 21st) for its new-look Community Room, which is intended to be a space for Sheboygan County to gather, connect, and serve.
Local partners on hand to celebrate the occasion included the Sheboygan County, Sheboygan Falls, and Plymouth Chambers of Commerce and Quasius Construction, who did the work to bring the Community Room into the 21st Century.
Kate Baer, President and CEO of the United Way of Sheboygan County, spoke to SeehaferNews.com on how this project came to life.
“We’ve always been able to use our lower level for other nonprofits, but through the years it got run down,” she explained. “Recently we had reached out to the Frank G. and Frieda K. Brotz Family Foundation, and they had interest in really supporting us to renovate and elevate the space.”
This project was also made possible by Quasius, which made the updates to the building that was originally built back in 1981, while Kohler made in-kind donations for the bathrooms.
Baer also emphasized the importance of these gifts as the United Way sought additional funding outside of their normal fundraising avenues to ensure that a building renovation didn’t get in the way of those that they support.
“When we campaign, it is for youth opportunity, it is for youth mental health, it is for financial security and housing,” Baer told us. “So, it was really critical that we had this outside support from the Brotz Family Foundation, and reconnecting with Quasius years later and their generosity also helped to make this affordable.”
To close, Baer showed extreme gratitude to those who attended yesterday’s ribbon cutting, noting their importance in turning this vision into a reality.
“To build and serve a community, the first step is showing up,” Baer said emphatically. “And so, it really is so heartwarming, and I just know how much it means to the board and my team, to the other non-profits we work with, as well as those we serve in the community. You know, I think I said earlier, united is the way and together we can do so much.”
The United Way hopes to soft launch the Community Room with its nonprofit partners before the space is available for reservations in the future.
Once fully in service, local businesses and nonprofits will be able to reserve the Community Room for board meetings, brainstorming sessions, and more.
