Wednesday, April 1
Update from UWBR President & CEO Mary Fanning-Penny
United Way is proud to complement the efforts of our partners in health care, public safety, human services and emergency management, as we work to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

  • United Way’s 211 system is working tirelessly to meet the needs of callers and community members searching for information and support due to the public health emergency. Last week, there were more than 9,000 calls to 211 statewide. 
  • We are helping folks GET CONNECTED to local nonprofits’ requests for essential volunteers and materials. 
  • Public Service Announcements have been generously provided by our media partners at the Beloit Daily News, Janesville Gazette and Lamar Advertising, so we can continue to inform the Blackhawk Region of available resources. 
  • Our volunteer-driven Community Impact Council is overseeing all requests to our COVID-19 Action Fund to ensure fiscally responsible allocations and announcements will be made soon. 

While our community shares in its collective uncertainty and strife, we are also united in our solidarity. We are heartened by stories of goodwill that exemplify what it means to LIVE UNITED, including: school districts’ meal distribution activities and drive-up pantries, donations of personal protective equipment to first responders and sewing homemade masks for nonprofits, Prent Corp’s manufacturing of face shields, the Happy Heart Hunt , grassroots efforts to support local businesses, and so much more. Please stay safe and keep up the awesome work, Blackhawk Region! 

Together, we will continue fighting for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. 
COVID-19 Action Fund
United Way Blackhawk Region launched the COVID-19 Action Fund on Monday, March 23rd. UWBR invested $100,000 to seed this fund and as of Tuesday, March 31, the total is $189,521 .

There are 3 convenient ways to donate:
  • LiveUnitedBR.org/COVID-19
  • Text GIVE COVID to 41444
  • Mail a check to: United Way Blackhawk Region, PO Box 2780, Janesville, WI 53545

Special thanks to these $10,000 corporate donors:
  • Alliant Energy
  • Data Dimensions
  • First National Bank and Trust

Special thanks to these $10,000 individual donors:
  • Mark & Kathy Bush
  • Tom & Arra Lasse
  • Dennis & Carol Alt
Corporate donors:
  • Alliant Energy
  • Associated Bank
  • Century 21 Affiliated
  • Data Dimensions
  • Festival Foods
  • First National Bank and Trust
  • Janesville Brick & Tile
  • Schnucks
  • State Bank of Cross Plains

Individual donors:
  • Dennis & Carol Alt
  • Milly Babcock
  • Tim & Kelly Bedessem
  • Pam Bitter
  • Scott & Kaaren Bordwell
  • Jon Boumstein
  • Michelle Brown
  • Wendy Bumgarner
  • Mark & Kathy Bush
  • Santo & Jeanne Carfora
  • Darcy Christiansen
  • Jeffrey & Diana Collins
  • Janice Compton
  • Sue Conley
  • Katie Crist
  • Tim Cullen
  • Richard Dahman
  • Maggie Darr
  • Devan & Jo Ann Dutra
  • Gina Erickson
  • Kelly Fanning
  • Mary Fanning-Penny
  • Scott and Toni Fischer
  • Mary Frederick
  • Lynn Gardinier
  • Mark & Merry Beth Gliebe
  • Tom Hatlen
  • Ian Hedges
  • Patricia Henry
  • C. David & Kayla Hiller
  • Derek & Cheryl Hilst
  • Candace Huber
  • Hayley Hughes
  • Al Hulick
  • Craig & Lisa Hurda
  • Raymond Jablonski


  • Robert & Mary Jacobson
  • Eric & Katie Kuznacic
  • David & Delores Lancour
  • Kim Lantta
  • Tom & Arra Lasse
  • Amy Lokrantz
  • Jim & Linda Lyke
  • Gloria Mathews
  • Tom & Allison McCawley
  • Michael & Susan Melton
  • Julie Michaelson
  • Maribeth Miller
  • Marsha Mood
  • Tyler & JoDee Nifong
  • Mike & Patty O'Brien
  • Dennis Pauli
  • Mitch & Louise Pelsue
  • Bruce Penny
  • Marc Perry
  • Denise Peters-Kauihou
  • Cheryl & David F. Peterson
  • James & Margaret Polglaze
  • Geoff & Gina Rand
  • Mark Rand
  • Doug & Christine Rebout
  • Theodore Rehl
  • Gerald & Doris Roehl
  • Daniel M Sawyer
  • Jon & Lori Schlemmer
  • Shawna Schultz
  • Patty & Steve Schumacher
  • Josh & Heather Smith
  • Teresa & Gary Sommers
  • Larry & Cindy Squire
  • Martin & Nancy Stabb
  • Sherri & Chris Stumpf
  • Beth & James Tallon
  • Robin Theisen
  • Aimee Thurner
  • Katie & Andy Udell
  • Heidi Van Kirk
  • Rick & Lynn West
  • Brad Westness
  • Katie & Lucas Wheelock
  • Jennifer White
  • Lynn Wood
  • Margaret Zweck
Your Support in Action

Jen White, Chief of Staff at Data Dimensions currently serves on the UWBR Board of Directors. Jen is leading an effort to organize local volunteers to provide homemade, protective masks for non-profit agencies and our area’s “essential” workers. Details of this opportunity can be found on UWBR's Get Connected volunteer website.

Thanks to Jen's outreach to Joann Fabric, over 600 masks have been created so far!

Masks have/will be distributed to: Caravilla, Cedar Crest, Community Action, ECHO, Edgerton Care Center, Gifts Shelter, HealthNet, House of Mercy, Mercy Hospice, and Janesville City Hall for poll workers.

Watch NBC Channel 15's story here.

Thank you, Jen, for Living United and donating your time, leadership and creative energy!
April 1 is Census Day! 

#LiveUnited