Frank Capra, director of the classic film It’s a Wonderful Life, once said, “Play has been man’s most useful preoccupation.” He would have smiled to see how a simple game of golf sponsored by County Materials Corporation, to raise funds for the Sonnentag Foundation, is contributing to improving the lives of thousands of disadvantaged individuals in Wisconsin, Illionois and beyond.
County Materials' 10th Annual Charity Golf Outing took place September 4th, 2014 at the Wausau Country Club in Schofield, WI and Greenwood Hills Country Club in Wausau, WI. A total of $106,500 raised by the event was distributed by the Sonnentag Foundation to fifteen charitable organizations in locations where County Materials has major facilities. These include 12 Wisconsin and Illinois chapters of Big Brothers Big Sisters; Easter Seals Wisconsin; the Women’s Community of Wausau, WI; and Lake Cares Food Pantry in Mount Dora, FL.
Participating Big Brothers Big Sisters chapters include the Central, North Central, Northeastern, Northwestern, Dane County, Fox Valley Region, 7 Rivers Region, and Rock/Walworth/Jefferson County chapters in Wisconsin; and the Mid-Illinois, Richland County, Illinois Capital, and Champaign County chapters in Illinois. The BBBS program matches at-risk children with adult mentors in the community. Children participating in the program consistently show a reduction in risky behaviors, delinquency and truancy. They also show significant improvements in academic success, self-esteem, and emotional stability. In addition, these children are more likely than their peers to attend a 4 year college and to “pay it forward” by volunteering in their communities once they reach adulthood.
Easter Seals Wisconsin is using the contributions to fund their Respite Program and Camp Wawbeek in Wisconsin Dells. These programs help to increase independence, maximize opportunities, minimize barriers, and enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities and their caregivers in Wisconsin. An estimated total of 3,406 disabled people and their families benefited from Easter Seals Wisconsin activities in 2014.
The Women’s Community is a non-profit organization serving victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault. The organization is using Sonnentag Foundation contributions to support a variety of services, including shelter, food and clothing assistance, counseling, advocacy, and support group facilitation. In 2014, the organization helped 1598 individuals throughout Marathon County, WI.
Lake Cares Food Pantry has established itself as a strategic resource to support the needs of hungry families hit by unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances. The organization also provides resources and support to the elderly and disabled. Since opening its doors five years ago, Lake Cares has seen a dramatic increase in the number of clients they serve. Sonnentag Foundation contributions have helped the organization move from assisting an average of 15 to 20 families to 130 families per week.
In all, County Materials, through the Sonnentag Foundation, is helping to support well over 7,000 disadvantaged individuals and their families. For more information on the Sonnentag Foundation’s charitable giving, visit www.sonnentagfoundation.org.
County Materials Corporation is a family-owned, American-based manufacturing company and leading source for construction and landscape products. Its headquarters are in Marathon, WI, where it was founded in 1946. The company has grown into a diversified organization that supplies products for growing communities at more than 44 locations across the Midwest. For more information visit www.countymaterials.com.
