A Monthly Update From UW Valleys

Stay informed and connected with United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys (UW Valleys). Each month, we’ll share stories of community impact, highlight upcoming events, and celebrate the partners and people making it all possible.

UW Valleys’ 2026 Day of Caring brought 130 volunteers together on October 1 to support local organizations across Dunn and Pepin counties. Volunteers completed 15 community projects, spending the day painting, landscaping, cleaning, organizing, and improving shared spaces for local nonprofits, schools, parks, and community organizations.

Thank you to every volunteer who gave their time and energy, the project sites that welcomed volunteers, and the sponsors and community partners who helped make the day possible!

The Winter Wear Clothing Drive is underway! Marketplace Foods, with support from UW Valleys and the Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce, is collecting new and gently used coats, hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, and other warm winter clothing through October 31.

Donations will be cleaned and sorted before being offered free of charge at the Winter Wear Open House at Marketplace Foods in Menomonie on November 7 and 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Shoes and boots cannot be accepted this year.

Donations can be dropped off at Marketplace Foods, Menomonie City Hall, Bill’s Distributing, Mayo Clinic, the Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce, or the Menomonie Public Library.

Interested in volunteering at the Winter Wear Open House? Contact Megan Hausch at megan.hausch@uwvalleys.org to learn more.

Finding help for everyday needs can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. 211 connects individuals and families with local resources for food, housing, utility assistance, mental health support, and much more.

The service is free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Call 211 or 877-947-2211. You can also text your ZIP code to 898211 or visit the 211 website to search for resources and connect with a specialist.

River Falls Community Diaper Drive Continues Through October 31

The River Falls community is coming together to support local families through the River Falls Community Diaper and Baby Wipes Drive! UW Valleys and the River Falls Rotary Club are partnering with local schools and community members to collect diapers and baby wipes for the UW Valleys Diaper Bank.

Last year, River Falls collected an incredible 58,040 diapers. Help keep that momentum going by donating diapers or baby wipes before the drive ends October 31.

Drop-off locations include:

• Ezekiel Lutheran Church, River Falls
• Royal Credit Union, River Falls
• First National Bank, River Falls
• St. Bridget’s Catholic Church, River Falls

Every donation helps provide essential supplies to local families.

Thank you to Xcel Energy, our event sponsors, and everyone who joined us for the 2nd Annual Sheriffs’ Clay Shoot! Your support benefits United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys and United Way of Washington County-East, helping strengthen communities on both sides of the river.

A special thank-you to Geoff Willems, Chief of Police for the Hudson Police Department, for stepping in and helping make the event a success!

• Winter Wear Clothing Drive in partnership with Marketplace Foods - Donations at various locations in Menomonie all October
• River Falls Community Diaper Drive - October 1 - October 31
• Pierce County Diaper Drive - November 2 - November 20
• Somerset School District Diaper Drive - November 2 - November 20
• Hudson YMCA Diaper Drive - November 7 - November 22

UW Valleys Mission

United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys fights for the health, education, and financial stability of

every person in Western Wisconsin. Serving Burnett, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix counties, we

unite people and resources to tackle our region's most pressing challenges.