Giving Tuesday is Dec. 3.
FOND DU LAC – Giving Tuesday Dec. 3 and the rest of the holiday season are known as a time for generosity toward people in need.
Some of the area’s local organizations giving back to the community include Fond du Lac County United Way, which works with people and organizations to promote three pillars of a good life in the community: health, education and financial stability. Through this, the organization aims to “create an environment where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential,” according to its vision statement.
Donations are welcome at fdlunitedway.org/donate and will go back into the community to support the above three pillars.
Fond du Lac Area Foundation also works collaboratively within the community to support the varied needs within the Fond du Lac area through grants, scholarships and other funds.
Donors can pick a fund on fdlareafoundation.com/donate or give to the general support Community Fund.
Many organizations also have opportunities to give time rather than money or goods, with volunteer work listed on their individual websites. Fondy Volunteers, through the Fond du Lac County United Way, also keeps an index of agencies and their volunteer information.
If you’re looking for a way to give back to the community during the holiday and giving season, here are just a few of Fond du Lac’s many organizations. Donation information for all of these entities is available on their websites.
Reducing poverty
The Solutions Center offers several services to people experiencing domestic abuse and homelessness, including shelter, support and resources, as well as community outreach.
St. Vincent de Paul Fond du Lac County is raising money to continue offering assistance for rent, utilities and food, and it also makes referrals to aid in other services, including transportation, employment, meal programs, housing, health, counseling and abuse services.
Both organizations run the St. Katharine Drexel Shelter, which not only provides shelter for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, but also helps its residents access resources and gain skills that can lead to permanent housing and self-sufficiency.
ADVOCAP‘s numerous programs include homeless prevention, homeowner assistance, transportation, nutrition services and business development to end the cycle of poverty in Fond du Lac, Winnebago and Green Lake counties. Ways to support the programs are listed on advocap.org.
Habitat for Humanity of Fond du Lac County partners with families to help them become homeowners if they’re not able to get conventional house financing. The families contribute a down payment and 300 to 500 hours of “sweat equity” in the construction of their home.
Other organizations that aim to help reduce poverty are Salvation Army of Fond du Lac, which addresses several ongoing needs throughout the area; the Holy Family Warming Shelter, which is open for the season; and many local food pantries, including Fondy Food Pantry, Hope on the Block, Broken Bread Food Pantry, Lighthouse Christian Church Food Pantry and others.
Supporting children
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Fond du Lac County creates mentoring matches between local youth, called Littles, and adult mentors, called Bigs, where Bigs can engage in community-based or school-based activities to get to know each other, help their Little develop skills and offer them one-on-one support. It also hosts after-school group mentoring.
Boys & Girls Club of Fond du Lac offers after-school and summer programming for youth ages 6 to 18 to support academic success, character and leadership development and healthy lifestyles. In turn, this empowers the area’s youngest residents and ensures they can live a productive life and reach their full potential.
Through Project Linus, local volunteers make blankets for children who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need, with the goal of providing them love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort. The local chapter encompasses Fond du Lac, Dodge and Washington counties.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace builds and delivers beds to children in need, giving them a safe place to sleep that isn’t the floor.
Supporting women
The Fond du Lac Area Women’s Fund raises money and awards grants to local organizations and projects that support women and girls, promoting social change to create a better future for local women and girls.
We EmpowHER offers year-round programming to provide women with opportunities for personal growth, empowering women and supporting positive change, learning, growth and healing.
Servicing women recovering from alcoholism and/or chemical dependency, Beacon House provides a safe and supportive environment with a home-like atmosphere to support these women in rebuilding their lives and ensuring long-term recovery.
Supporting animals
The Fond du Lac Humane Society has a number of ways to donate money, including the general fund, sponsorships and the Sweetie Fund for emergency veterinary care.
The three other local rescues are Sandi Paws Rescue, Lucky Dog Rescue and Critter Junction Pet Rescue, the last of which is raising money for a kennel building.
Additionally, Tails For Life trains service dogs for children with medical and/or psychological disabilities with a goal of promoting independence and bringing comfort and security.
Supporting other causes
ASTOP Sexual Abuse Center works to disrupt the cycle of sexual violence by supporting survivors and educating the community, hoping to promote a safe, flourishing and anti-oppressive community for all.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Fond du Lac aims to support and empower anyone experiencing mental illness, regardless of age, with programs, community outreach, support groups and more.
Ebony Vision aims to promote a more inclusive community, strengthening unity and providing a voice and vehicle for expressing concerns. The organization hosts annual public events like those celebrating Black History Month and Juneteenth, provides mentoring programs and has a lending library, which is a collection of books curated specifically for the Black community and its neighbors and allies, featuring Black authorship, Black characters and Black contributions to the arts and history.
Fond du Lac Literacy Services pairs tutors with local adults to develop reading, writing, speaking and math skills with personalized lesson plans.
The Arc Fond du Lac offers education and social and enrichment programs for adults and youth with intellectual, developmental and/or physical disabilities, teaching practical living skills and fostering interpersonal relationships.
Salute the Troops supports local service members and veterans with programs and initiatives that provides advocacy, education and training, including the Vetrepreneur project to accelerate veteran-owned businesses.
Daphne Lemke is the Streetwise reporter for the Fond du Lac Reporter. Contact her at [email protected].
