NGL and Alliant Energy are building futures together

On a hot and steamy nearly 90 degree day, 120 employees from Alliant Energy and National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL) traded in their desk jobs for hard hats and hammers to build two Habitat for Humanity of Dane County homes that will eventually be located in Fitchburg and Sun Prairie.

On June 15, the volunteers worked with the future homeowners to build the interior and exterior walls. It was exciting for Luz and her son, Omar, to build the panels for their future home that they will share with Luz’s mother on Sweet Grass Drive in Sun Prairie. Before the family can move into their home, they will learn about house maintenance, finance and put in 375 sweat equity hours, including volunteering at the Habitat ReStore, participating in builds and home ownership educational classes. Their anticipated move in date is April 2018.

Alliant Energy hosted the frame up and worked the first shift of the day. NGL arrived for the second shift with the mission to finish building the panels and assemble the walls. Within no time, the walls were constructed for both homes.

“This is our second year participating in a Habitat frame up and it’s become a volunteer opportunity that so many employees look forward to,” said Elizabeth Kirchstein, NGL corporate giving administrator. “NGL and our employees are very involved in the community both through volunteerism and financial support. Partnering with Alliant to build a Habitat home lets our employees give back and feel connected to the community. It’s a remarkable experience watching and being a part of someone’s new home as it takes shape.”

A focus of Alliant Energy Foundation is to improve the quality of life for people in its communities. “We are so glad to have an opportunity to host the Habitat for Humanity frame ups the last few years,” said Julie Bauer, executive director of the Alliant Energy Foundation. “Working alongside the family that will live in the house means a lot to our employees and makes for a great day.”

At the end of the build, everyone walked through the home to see where the living room, kitchen, bedrooms are located. Volunteers signed their well wishes on the panels and then loaded the completed panels onto a truck destined for their future home sites.

“A huge thank you to National Guardian Life Insurance Company and Alliant Energy for representing the heart, soul and muscle behind Habitat’s work,” said Valerie Johnson, Habitat for Humanity of Dane County CEO. “We’re deeply grateful for every volunteer who shares our vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live.”

In addition to a down payment and monthly mortgage payments, Habitat homeowners are required to put in 325-375 hours in sweat equity toward the building of their home. Habitat homes are more affordable because they are financed with affordable, no interest loans.

About Habitat for Humanity of Dane County, Inc.

For 30 years, Habitat for Humanity of Dane County has partnered with more than 260 families to build decent, affordable homes in Dane County. Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty housing. Habitat for Humanity builds with people in need regardless of race or religion and welcomes all volunteers and supporters. Learn more by calling 608.255.1549 or visit www.habitatdane.org. 

About Alliant Energy

Alliant Energy serves approximately 950,000 electric customers and 410,000 natural gas customers. The mission is to deliver the energy solutions and exceptional service that customers and communities count on – safely, efficiently and responsibly. Learn more at www.alliantenergy.com. 

About National Guardian Life Insurance Company

Since 1910, National Guardian Life Insurance Company (NGL), a mutual insurance company, has been located in Madison, Wis. Licensed to do business in 49 states and the District of Columbia, NGL markets preneed and individual life and annuities, as well as group markets products including specialty and student insurance. Additional information about NGL can be found at www.nglic.com; Facebook: Facebook.com/NGLIC and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-guardian-life-insurance-company

National Guardian Life Insurance Company is not affiliated with The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America a/k/a The Guardian or Guardian Life.

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Ideas That Evoke® Hosts Third Annual Social Media Day to Support Local Non-Profit Organization

IDEAS THAT EVOKE® HOSTS THIRD ANNUAL SOCIAL MEDIA DAY TO SUPPORT LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
Leading Marketing Agency Uses Social Media to Raise Awareness in Local Community

MADISON, WI (JUNE 2017) – Ideas That Evoke® – the 4th fastest growing company in Wisconsin – will host the capital city’s third annual Social Media Day celebration on Thursday, June 29. The social media and PR agency has partnered with The Road Home Dane County, a non-profit organization serving local families transitioning out of homelessness. Originally launched by media platform Mashable, Social Media Day was created as a way to recognize and celebrate social media’s positive impact on global communication.

“Giving back to the Madison community is core to our agency’s mission, and the Ideas That Evoke team is eager to take Social Media Day to the next level this year,” said Kelly Ehlers, President and Founder of Ideas That Evoke. “By utilizing our social media and PR expertise, we hope to bring the community together for the third annual Social Media Day Madison, and raise funds for an incredible organization, The Road Home.”

After meeting last year’s fundraising goal of $5,000, the agency has taken their commitment to the nonprofit even further by working with The Road Home as a gratis client to increase awareness of the organization’s mission to provide opportunities for homeless children and their families. A shared vision and commitment to the local community make this year’s Social Media Day partnership the perfect opportunity to showcase how social media can unite the local community for a common cause.

This year’s Social Media Day charitable event will be held from 5:30PM – 7:00PM at the new AC Hotel Madison Downtown location. Guests are encouraged to participate in a raffle with prizes from several local businesses and enjoy signature craft cocktails from the AC Lounge. In addition to ticket sales, $2 of each specialty drink served that evening will be donated. All proceeds from Social Media Day Madison will go towards purchasing furniture for families in need through The Road Home.

For information about Social Media Day Madison or to purchase tickets to this year’s celebration, please visit the event page on Facebook. To learn more about The Road Home or how you can contribute to the organization’s mission, visit http://trhome.org/. 

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About Ideas That Evoke®
Ideas That Evoke, a social media, digital and PR agency located in Madison, Wis., was recently named the #325th Fastest Growing Private Company in America 4th Fastest Growing Company in WI by Inc. Magazine’s annual Inc. 5,000 List. The agency, founded by Kelly Ehlers in 2009, is rooted in solving business challenges through the innovative use of social media, influencer marketing and disruptive creative. To learn more about Ideas That Evoke®, visit www.IdeasThatEvoke.com, like us on Facebook and follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

Youth Apprenticeship Interview Fair – Participating Companies

The Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce thanks the following companies for participating in the 2017 Madison Metropolitan School District Youth Apprenticeship Mentor Training & Interview Fair:

American Family Insurance
Attic Angel Community
Bell Laboratories
Capitol Mechanical
Cellular Dynamics International
Covance, Inc.
CUNA Mutual Group
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
Functional Wellness and Chiropractic Center, LLC
Hottmann Construction
IBM
Iconica
Madison College
North Central Group
Oak Park Place
QBE North America
Senior Helpers
Sheraton Madison Hotel
Spherion
Strang, Inc.
TDS
UW Health
Wisconsin & Southern Railroad
Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
Zimbrick, Inc.

MSCR Executive Director to Retire

June 19, 2017

For Immediate Release

Contact: Nicole Graper at ngraper@madison.k12.wi.us or 608-204-3017 or Sharon Neylon atsneylon@madison.k12.wi.us or 608-204-3036

MSCR Executive Director to Retire

Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) Executive Director Lucy Chaffin is retiring on Friday, June 23 after 21 years of service. MSCR, a department of the Madison Metropolitan School District, offers a variety of recreation programs for all ages at more than 150 locations.

During her tenure, Chaffin lead the department from 34,000 annual enrollments to more than 117,000. She has worked to implement these initiatives and accomplishments:

• Moved MSCR offices to MSCR Hoyt Building on Regent Street – establishing a multi-facet recreation facility.
• Launched MSCR Community Learning Centers, securing more than $15 million in grants, that are used for afterschool learning & enrichment in Madison schools.
• Established Middle School Youth Resource Centers, High School
  ​Intramural Sports Leagues and other programs.
• Oversaw the opening of these recreation facilities — MSCR Odana, MSCR Allied Learning Center, MSCR East, MSCR Meadowood, Warner Park Community Recreation Center and the Elements Welcome Center at the Kennedy School Forest.
• Developed the non-profit Friends of MSCR that sustains the work of MSCR with over $300,000 in grants to MSCR projects and programs annually.
• Rolled out FIT2GO van, a mobile community fitness program.

Chaffin has nearly 40 years experience as a recreation and park professional working in the states of Oregon, Alaska, and Iowa before coming to Madison.

According to Phillip Duffy, President, Friends of MSCR Board, “Lucy’s leadership has been instrumental to the success of the Friends’ ability to raise money and provide grants we have supported over the past thirteen years. Lucy initiated the Friends of MSCR which has provided thousands of dollars to support community recreation and services.”

MSCR, a department of the Madison Metropolitan School District, is Madison’s public recreation resource serving the community since 1926. Programs include adventure, arts & enrichment, camps, childcare, fitness, sports, swimming, afterschool and more.  Please go to www.mscr.org or call 608-204-3000 for more information.

Midwest Home Care Announces Move

Midwest Home Care is excited to announce its plans to move from 2800 Royal Avenue to 4916 East Broadway, Suite A, in Madison, WI on June 30th.  With additional space to accommodate our organizational growth, we will be able to better provide employees with the tools they need to continue to grow successfully in their career as a caregiver.  In addition, it will also allow space for collaborative efforts within the organization or outside the organization. The new office is located in the Facility Gateway Corporation building, approximately 4 miles from our current location, just down the road from the Stoughton Road Park and Ride.  The office will be temporarily closed from June 30-July 3 to accommodate our move.  We will re-open for business on July 5th at the new location.