The Giving Tuesday initiative was started in 2012 with the goal to combat high spending and counteract materialism in our culture through generosity. Each year, Giving Tuesday has continued to inspire people to give.
The National Retail Federation forecast estimates retail sales to increase in 2024 between 2.5% and 3.5%. That’s $5.23 trillion to $5.28 trillion. With gift giving and holiday sales on the forefront on our mind from Black Friday through Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday allows us an opportunity to give of our time, talents, and treasures, and in doing so, to rejuvenate our true holiday spirit.
Wausa joined this initiative in 2022 and, thanks to our generous community, has been able to help with financial needs of individuals and families as well as the organizations that keep Wausa moving forward and thriving. This year, we’ve compiled another small list of local causes and initiatives so as to give our Wausa community options to take part in Giving Tuesday and support those around them at the same time. Listed below are a handful of organizations and individuals who could benefit from your generosity this year. We thank you for your consideration.
Wausa Community Foundation Fund
The Community Foundation is part of a statewide movement to spearhead community development and create prosperity. The Foundation volunteers are working to build a culture of philanthropy and a robust unrestricted endowment to benefit our community long into the future and supports quality of life initiatives to benefit the lives of current residents and attract new families to live, work, and raise their children in our hometown. The Wausa Community Foundation strives to promote a welcoming community that will preserve the integrity of our small-town history and heritage. “We are excited to invest in our young people and opportunities to enrich our community,” said FAC member Darren Vanness. Since 2019, the Community Foundation has been able to grant $126,365 back into our community thanks to the generous donations to our endowment from many benefactors in our community. Through local investment from generous benefactors, we encourage opportunities and services that attract people of all means to live. work, and visit our community.
The School Foundation
This foundation has taken initiative to give back to the community of Wausa in many difference areas. Every year they give out numerous scholarships to the graduating senior class. A recent donation this Foundation has made supported the addition of the new Industrial Tech building to the north of the school. The Wausa School Foundation is the primary source of scholarship money for upcoming Wausa Seniors. Would you like to leave a legacy for your family name? Consider sponsoring a scholarship to benefit Wausa graduates and their future endeavors!
Wendy Ketelsen
Wendy Ketelsen has been a resident of Wausa since 1997 and has worked at the Lied Lincoln Township Library since 2011 and the Wausa Public Schools since 2015. In January 2024, Wendy Ketelsen was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer, which had spread throughout her right lung and three nearby lymph nodes. With surgery not an option due to the advanced stage of the cancer, Wendy began a rigorous treatment plan involving chemotherapy and immunotherapy. After just a few months, scans revealed significant tumor shrinkage, a miraculous response that has brought hope.
Wendy is now continuing with one chemotherapy and immunotherapy for the next two years. While the side effects of treatment are challenging, she is encouraged by the progress and grateful for the ongoing support of her community. The kindness and generosity from Wausa and beyond have been a bright light in this difficult journey. Wendy is deeply thankful for the love, prayers, and assistance that have been extended to her and her family during this time.
Your support, whether through donations, words of encouragement, or simply keeping her in your thoughts, makes a meaningful difference in her fight.
The Lied Lincoln Township Library
The Lied Lincoln Township Library has served the community from the early 1920’s. It has been in the current building since 1935. The library is full of books from pre-school kids through adults. The library serves all ages through various programs. Preschoolers can participate in story hour, stuffed animal sleepover, 1,000 books before kindergarten, and the story walk in the park.
Preschool through high school kids participate in summer reading, board game and lego club, tiny art show, speakers and authors, free comic book and Star Wars days, pollinator week, a TAB tournament, VR headsets, STEM kits, and can visit Santa on Christmas in Wausa.
Adults are served through coffee and conversation, book club, pollinator week, tiny art show, painting, cooking and jewelry classes, and Trivia Night.
All patrons may rent the meeting room (which is free for non-profit organizations), free computer use, Inter-Library loan, LIBBY, use of the fax machine, copier, and Cricut machines.
Currently, our budget is tight. We rely on some funding from the township and through patron’s gifts. The above is just a glimpse into the wonderful activities and all on a shoestring budget. Each month the library board is forced to dip into savings to keep the library afloat. Most of the money donated in memory of someone special has been designated for specific items and can’t be used for day to day expenses. Our librarian also applies for many grants for equipment, books, furniture for inside and outside, program supplies, and other needed items.
We are fortunate to have a library that rivals those in communities much larger than ours. Come visit sometime and sample the new worlds waiting for you!
Teammates
Monetary gifts are wonderful and important! However, that is not the only way to give. This Giving Tuesday, consider volunteering your time as a mentor for Wausa’s Teammates Chapter. As of this year, our local chapter has exceeded expectations with over 32 matches in Wausa Public Schools. This program benefits both mentor and mentee and helps our overall community thrive. Don’t underestimate the difference you can make with just a half hour a week! To sign up, please contact Chris Johnson at wausateammates2019@gmail.com or visit teammates.org for more information.
The Wausa Teammates Chapter does also hope to have the funds to give a scholarship to each graduating senior in the program. Two Wausa Teammates mentees will graduate this spring. Consider donating to help to future of these young Wausa natives. A monetary gift may also support a spring mentor/mentee activity. Each spring, a group activity is offered with food, games, movies, etc.
You can donate to any of the above causes by simply sending your donation to @wausagivingtuesday on Venmo. Please type in the memo line which cause you would like your donation to be sent to. All 100% of your donation will be forwarded to your cause of choice.
