mployees) Foundation has collected more than $1.8 million in donations from employees since its inception in 2000. In the 14 years of the foundation, it has granted monies to organizations and individuals in need in and around the communities in which the company operates – Medford, Ladysmith, and Park Falls, Wis.
“I am immensely proud of the employees and the difference we’ve made in the communities surrounding our company facilities through the LITE Foundation,” said Gary Waldhart, Weather Shield’s corporate trainer and LITE Foundation administrator. “The foundation has supported numerous social service and religious organizations, civic groups and municipal agencies through our allocation grants; and provided a lifeline to individuals and families facing hardship with our contingency grants. North Central Wisconsin has been profoundly impacted by our employees’ generosity.”
The mission of the LITE Foundation is to help people help themselves. Through gifts of time, talent and treasure, the employees strive to help improve the quality of life in the communities where they live and work, which in turn can impact the lives of others at the state, national and international levels. The employees’ efforts are guided by the teaching that “whatever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do to me.” Matt 25:40
The foundation offers two types of grants: allocation grants, which are awarded to worthy organizations and carry no monetary limit; and contingency funds to help people facing an unexpected emergency or hardship, such as fire, illness or injury.
Zion Lutheran Church Community United Pantry, an emergency food pantry in Colby, has been the benefactor of multiple LITE Foundation grants over the years. The organization, which serves Clark County cites of Colby, Dorcester, Abbottsford and Curtiss, has used the funds to buy food for many families facing hardship who visit each month. In October 2014 alone, the organization served 90 families, or 347 people.
"This time of year gets busier for us," said Ivadean Abbeglen, director of the food pantry. "February and March, when there's a lot of bad weather, are our busiest times." Working with the LITE Foundation, Kramer's County Market, Abbottsford Bank and other businesses, as well as area churches and community organizations, Abbeglen is able to stretch donations to a maximum to ensure those in need do not go without.
The Weather Shield Employee LITE Foundation is run by employee committees in each company location. These committees decide how the money will be dispersed for the year and are responsible for fundraisers during the year. The executive committee oversees the three allocation committees in each of communities where the company has facilities. The committees include:
- Executive Committee:Kevin Schield, Gary Waldhart, Starla Ruesch, Sally Thomas, Mike Tingo, Jill Dassow
- Medford Allocation Committee: Jason Evert, Gail Heurung, Julie Judnic, Beth Lukewich, Darla Peche, Craig Schemenauer, Jen Tatroe, Coreen Webster, Angel Weinzatl
- Ladysmith Allocation Committee: Jan Martin, Sue Ann Brown, Steve Ross, Bob Cynor
- Park Falls Allocation Committee: Al Stuart, Dina Bukachek, Bob Meinholz, Ken Hegeman, Don Staples, Donna DeBeau, Kari Eisenman and Crystel Lenz
Individuals or organizations wishing to submit a funding request can write to:
Employee LITE Foundation
Weather Shield Mfg. Inc.
One Weather Shield Plz.
Medford, WI 54451