19th Annual Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund Charity Golf Classic Once Again an Overwhelming Success Despite Pandemic

Hundreds of golfers, contributors, volunteers, community stakeholders once again safely came together for a modified event that raised money for more than 400 Wisconsin households in need

The Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund Golf Classic has been a major fundraising event for the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund. The 19th Annual Golf Classic event held this past August was no exception. Even in a year when many events across the state were postponed or canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, sprawling and well-manicured greens provided plenty of wide-open space for the event to move forward in a safe and socially distant manner.

Golfers at the 19th Annual KWW/CF Charity Golf Classic and Silent Auction shown here getting ready for a great day of golf in Lake Geneva, WI.

Flannel Fest 2020 Virtual Music Event Celebrates 7 Years of Keeping Wisconsin Warm

Virtual format during COVID-19 pandemic successfully raises funds and awareness

Now in its 7th year, Flannel Fest has become an annual celebration of local, regional and national Americana music benefitting the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund (KWW/CF). Due to the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020, most live music events have had to postpone until 2021, or they have created virtual events on the internet. Flannel Fest 2020 did the latter, with a successful online and virtual Facebook Live music event held on November 21 that raised over $15,000 for KWW/CF thanks to a 2 to 1 match challenge. While the event was free for anyone to attend, donations were strongly encouraged via virtual tip jars.

With Keeler, Channel 3000’s guidance, KWW/CF ‘Day of Warmth’ telethon raises $60,000+

Bruer, media company have long-lasting relationship

For more than two decades, Tom Keeler has seen the direct impact the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund has made across the state. That’s why Keeler, the vice president and general manager at Morgan Murphy Media, has been devoted to making a change.

Since its foundation, the KWW/CF has been fortunate in counting on its close relationship with WISC-TV (Channel 3000). It’s used the partnership not only for fundraising purposes, but also to raise awareness to an unfortunate reality: Many people in Wisconsin must choose between eating or heating their home during the winter.

Volunteers at the ‘Day of Warmth’ telethon actively taking calls for donations for those most in need in Wisconsin.

Schoep’s Ice Cream continues growing its ‘sweet’ bond with the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund

Iconic company, leadership, team members “roll up sleeves” to help those in need

If there’s one thing the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund has relied on over the years, it’s having the support of the community.

Dozens of companies throughout the state have lent their support to the organization and provided a safety net for more than 90,000 households that find themselves in crisis. Years ago, the KWW/CF found a “sweet” match in Schoep’s Ice Cream.

The Madison-based company shows its support for the organization by hosting multiple fundraising events throughout the year. Things like the $5 all-you-can-eat Ice Cream Social at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison and Wo Zha Wah Days Fall Festival in Wisconsin Dells always bring overwhelming support that goes a long way.

A line of hungry patrons forms at an ice cream social at the East YMCA in Madison, WI.

FORE! Geneva National set to host another Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund Charity Golf Classic

Partnership between course, organization continues to grow to keep the HEAT and POWER on for those most vulnerable in Wisconsin

For 17 years, the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund’s Charity Golf Classic & Silent Auction has shown what a grassroots effort can do to help those in need. The hundreds of people who come together every year to show their support for those less fortunate have helped the event become one of the state’s premier fundraising events.

Golfers at last year’s Charity Golf Classic and Silent Auction gathering before the shotgun start at Geneva National in Lake Geneva, WI.

Local Musicians Continue to Hit the Right Note at Annual Flannel Fest, Raising Funds and Awareness for Those Most in Need

Artist Trapper Schoepp rocking Flannel Fest 2019, Photo by Mike Rausch

Flannel Fest, held at two locations again this year, featured performances of different Americana bands that raised more than $16,000 for Wisconsin households with no place else to turn.

Music has always been a major part of Erik Kjelland’s life. So, it should come as no surprise that he’s been using his talent as a catalyst to raise thousands of dollars and awareness for the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund.

Six years ago, Kjelland, who spends much of his time singing, playing guitar and harmonica for his Madison-based band, The Mascot Theory, was having a conversation with a friend about organizing an event that would give back to the community. He and fellow musician Beth Kille, of the Beth Kille Band, hatched a plan to bring together some of the best musical talent in Wisconsin - and beyond - to help out those in need.

Flannel Fest was born.

Annual Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund (KWW/CF) Charity Golf Classic Comes of Age During 18th Year Raising More Than $261,000 for Those Most Vulnerable

Hundreds of golfers, contributors, volunteers, community stakeholders once again were “teeing up” for good

This past August, some of the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund’s biggest supporters gathered for what has become one of the state’s largest fundraising events.

The 18th Annual KWW/CF Golf Classic and Silent Auction was another major success, with dozens of foursomes teeing it up on a pristine day at Geneva National Resort and Club in Lake Geneva.

Golfers at the 18th Annual KWW/CF Charity Golf Classic and Silent Auction shown here getting ready for a great day of golf in Lake Geneva, WI.

“Literally thousands of individuals and corporate sponsors have donated to the event over the years, and it’s raised well over $2 million,” ESI Executive Director, and KWW/CF Chief Spokesperson Tim Bruer said. “This is one of the most successful homegrown golf fundraisers in the state.”

The outing, which started in Spring Green on a much smaller level, has since grown so large that Bruer had to move the event to a larger venue. This past year marked the third year that the KWW/CF Charity Golf Classic was held at the premier Geneva National Resort in Lake Geneva, WI.