Veterans Hit Hard During COVID-19 Pandemic Supported With Online Resources

Many Wisconsin Veterans, many of which are suffering from service-related injuries, are struggling with changes due to pandemic and in need of services

While the COVID19 pandemic has impacted all of us, especially hit hard have been our Veterans. Many were already suffering from service-related injuries or being challenged with mental health issues and limited incomes.

During the fall season of 2020 the Covid-19 pandemic flared up across the United States with an increased wave of new cases and deaths throughout the civilian and Veteran communities.

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.

Steamfitters Local 601 Vital to Keeping the Heat on for Vulnerable Wisconsin Heroes in Need

For decades, local Steamfitters, contractors and supply houses have come together to prevent life-threatening emergencies from occurring

For the past 23 years, the Keep Wisconsin Warm/Cool Fund has relied on the countless partnerships it’s built throughout the state to reach thousands of at-risk households.

Whether it be community-based businesses donating funds to the cause or large-scale corporations raising awareness, the KWW/CF can always depend on the incredible relationships it’s built.

Among the KWW/CF’s longest bonds has been with area trade organizations and steamfitters, who are responsible for helping identify at-risk individuals in need of assistance.

Collaborative Relationship Between Wisconsin County Veterans Service Officers and KWW/CF and Heat for Heroes Continues to Grow

County Veterans Service Officers and Heat for Heroes bridge for Veterans struggling to meet their basic survival needs

Booths such as the one pictured above staffed by Noel Ayala of Heat for Heroes, help get information on vital assistance out to those Veterans in need.

Faced with the possibility of living in homelessness, a military veteran and family in Douglas County recently became one of the thousands of America’s heroes that Heat for Heroes has supported with life-changing assistance.

Having used up all savings and taking a leave of absence from work to care for their spouse, who was suffering from a rare illness, and children, the veteran was unable to afford utility and rent payments. But, with the intervention of Douglas County Veterans Service Officer Brian Erickson and Heat for Heroes, the family no longer had to worry, as a collaborative effort between multiple entities covered the expenses.

Dedicated Caring Crafters Making a Difference for Veterans in Need, One Blanket at a Time

Caring Crafters’ support of Heat for Heroes keeps Wisconsin veterans warm

Hundreds of blankets were lovingly created and donated to give to households in need by the Caring Crafters this past year.

With yarn and a mission of giving back in a unique, handmade way, the Caring Crafters continue to show how small acts can make a huge difference in the surrounding community.

The group, comprised of more than 50 people, meets regularly in the Watertown area to handcraft items such as hats, scarves, mittens, blankets, and more for local charities.