Thursday, November 11, 2021
So Much More Than a Day of Caring
Chippewa Valley Technical College colleagues take giving back seriously. Josh Myers, second from right, said supporting each other meant helping out in the community.
Josh Myers believes in the combined mission of Chippewa Valley Technical College and United Way of the Greater Chippewa Valley.
That’s why the CVTC marketing colleague has been on the college’s United Way committee for the last three years and is now the committee chair.
“It’s more important than ever to give back to the community and share our time and talents with those who can benefit most,” he said after spending a Friday morning volunteering to do tasks at the Chippewa Youth Hockey Association’s ice rink during United Way’s Day of Caring. “As one of the only fully self-funded ice arenas in the state, they rely heavily on volunteers to help keep the operation running smoothly and provide a place for hundreds of kids to enjoy sporting activities they love.”
CVTC has been partnering with United Way for decades. The partnership is a win-win for both organizations, said Karen Kohler, CVTC executive director of institutional advancement.
“Like CVTC, United Way impacts many different communities and many different types of people within those communities,” Kohler said. “We’re both unique in that we don’t have a singular focus. We help people in their journeys, and that looks different with every person that comes to us. We have similar outcomes in that respect.”
Throughout the last three years, United Way has supported CVTC with microgrant scholarships geared towards jobs that are high paying and in high demand, and funding for the dental clinic – all to the tune of $338,475.
“The show of commitment to service is an important way to demonstrate how interrelated we are,” Kohler said. “The more we support each other, the more support we can provide in our communities.”
Myers agrees. That’s why he vied for the committee chair position.
“As a partner organization, CVTC has been especially grateful for all the support the United Way provides to our organization,” Myers said. “Their generous gifts allow us to support our students in many ways – one of which is to provide microgrants directly to students in need.
“It is my goal to do what I can to help lead us from a “me” society, to a “we” society.”
