A Joint Initiative Between     Heart of Wisconsin     Business & Economic Alliance and     Community Foundation of     South Wood County

Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News January 13, 2006 - Community Foundations add strength...South Wood County, Rome have much to celebrate By Kelly Lucas, for the Daily Tribune November is designated as National Philanthropy Month, with this week, Nov. 14 to 18, designated to recognize and celebrate more than 650 community foundations working to build stronger communities throughout the United States. How do we celebrate community foundations? In my mind, it is difficult to separate a celebration for our community foundation from a celebration of "community." In fact, it is community that has made the Community Foundation of South Wood County what it is today, and it is community that will continue to define its future. So, in recognition of National Community Foundation Week, I suggest that all citizens join in the celebration of our community and the many assets that we possess - including a strong, vibrant and proactive community foundation. It is a celebration of vision. Eleven years ago, a community foundation was established to provide permanent resources to support the changing needs of south Wood County and the town of Rome area. Donors, board members, volunteers and nonprofit organizations who chose to embrace and nurture a new and relatively unknown concept must be applauded for their efforts. Today, the guiding vision of our community foundation is to support and realize "a vibrant community known for philanthropy, collaboration and innovation." It is a celebration of commitment. Thousands of individuals, families, businesses and nonprofit organizations have chosen to support our community foundation and community with time, talents or financial resources. Within the Community Foundation of South Wood County, donors have illustrated their commitment with gifts - both large and small - that either support an established charitable fund or are used to create a new fund. Presently, there are 275 individual charitable funds administered by CFSWC - areas supported include community/economic development, arts, education, leadership, animal welfare and more. All share the common purpose of a permanent commitment to the long-term sustainability of this area and desire to support and create a vibrant community. It is a celebration of partnerships. In recent years, our community has had to learn to address significant change and adapt for the future. In a time of limited resources and a changing economic landscape, we are learning that we are stronger as a whole. Partnerships are being developed throughout south Wood County that, I believe, would not have occurred without the globalization of the paper industry and the subsequent economic impact on our community. Individual communities are working together, many in ways they never had considered. Organizations, such as CFSWC and Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance, are choosing to partner around initiatives that are broad-reaching and most effective when supported by many. Public-private partnerships are growing in number and importance to the vitality of our region. Declining revenue from local, state and federal sources make local partnerships to preserve our quality of life a must - the Zoo, Nekoosa Boat Launch, Performing Arts Center, SWC 2000, Centralia Center and most recently the Thomas Mader Memorial Trail all are examples of effective public-private partnerships. Finally, it is a celebration of progress. Webster's dictionary defines progress as: a forward or onward movement (as to an objective or to a goal); gradual betterment. Citizens, organizations and communities throughout south Wood County and the town of Rome area have shown resiliency, passion for community and desire for betterment through participation in the Community Progress Initiative. Success in achieving progress requires the involvement of everyone who has a stake in the future of this community, including you. Visit http:progressinitiative.com to learn of opportunities to become involved, if you aren't already. Progress and the realization of a vibrant community require that we make a long-term commitment to participation. Future generations will applaud our efforts and cheer. They will be celebrating the fact that today - as a community - we chose not to let change bring us to a standstill. We stepped forward and decided that we all have a role in creating the future. Kelly Lucas is president and chief executive officer of Community Foundation of South Wood County.
		Copyright © 2005, Community Progress Initiative, South Wood County & Town of Rome