SOAR Fox Cities Executive Director Erin Schultz (Right) and Special Olympics Program Coordinator Holly Volkman (Left) accept a $3,000 grant awarded by the Green Bay Packers Foundation. Included in this photo and presenting the award is Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy (Center).
GREEN BAY, Wis. (December 5, 2018)—SOAR Fox Cities Executive Director Erin Schultz and Special Olympics Program Coordinator recently accepted a $3,000 grant award from the Green Bay Packers Foundation at an awards luncheon at Lambeau Field. The Green Bay Packers Foundation awarded $800,000 to 230 civic and Charitable groups throughout the state of Wisconsin in its annual distribution of grants. Jerry Ganoni, chairperson of the Foundation, made the announcement.
“The support from the Green Bay Packers Foundation means a great deal to us.” said SOAR Fox Cities Executive Director Erin Schultz. “It not only helps to fund one of our largest programs, but also provides a stage for SOAR to stand on. I want to say THANK YOU to the Green Bay Packers Foundation, the Green Bay Packers Organization and all of their supporters for helping support SOAR Fox Cities and our Special Olympics Program!”
Overall, including four recent $250,000 impact grants awarded to the Center for Childhood Safety Inc., Encompass Early Education and Care, Inc., HSHS St. Vincent/St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation and Give BIG Green Bay, $1.8 million was awarded through Foundation grants this year.
The total amounted donated is a new Foundation donation record.
The recipient groups were guests at a luncheon in the Lambeau Field Atrium, which honored the outstanding efforts and services performed by each of the organizations. Of the Foundation’s contributions Wednesday, 30 grants – aggregating $107,500 – were awarded to Brown County organizations. Additional grants, totaling $692,500, were made to 200 other groups around the state.
This year’s grant cycle focuses on organizations that will direct the funds toward the need areas of arts and culture, athletics and education causes. In 2019, the focus areas will be animal welfare, civic and community, environmental, health and wellness including drug/alcohol and domestic violence. For more information about the grant cycles, please visit packers.com/community/packers-foundation.
SOAR Fox Cities Executive Director Erin Schultz (Right) accepts a $5,020 donation from Matthews Tire President Trevor Rezner (Left).
APPLETON, Wis. (November 14, 2018)—SOAR Fox Cities Executive Director Erin Schultz recently accepted a $5,020 donation from Matthews Tire after their 13th semi-annual Oil Change for the Better event. The event was held October 22-27, 2018 at all six Matthews Tire locations. For every regular priced oil change performed throughout the week, Matthews Tire pledged to donate $10 to SOAR Fox Cities.
“We receive funding from a variety of sources, such as private donations, but many are sizeable donations from our local business community. Without gifts like this from Matthews Tire, we could not do what we do,” said SOAR Fox Cities Executive Director Erin Schultz. “Thank you to Matthews Tire and everyone who supported Oil Change for the Better!”
The donation will help support SOAR Fox Cities programs such as their longstanding summer camp program, Schultz confirmed. Their inclusive camp program is designed to accommodate differing cognitive abilities and fitness levels. It provides campers with unique social skills development opportunities, varied experiences and fun. Camp also provides a much needed respite for the campers’ families and caregivers.
Oil Change for the Better is a semi-annual, weeklong charity event held by Matthews Tire. This October was Matthews Tire’s 13th fundraising event in seven years. Matthews Tire has raised over $40,000 for various local non-profits including Fox Valley Humane Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Salvation Army, Disabled American Veterans Transportation Program,Catalpa Health’s Race for a Reason, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Golden House, Old Glory Honor Flight, Saving Paws Animal Rescue, Walleyes for Kids, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night walk, Child Care Resource and Referral of the Fox Valley and now, SOAR Fox Cities.
SOAR Fox Cities was formed as a grassroots organization in the 1950s by a group of devoted parents to support their children with developmental disabilities. It has grown in its scope and mission to empower youth, adults and families dealing with the challenges of having a member with differing abilities. SOAR Fox Cities is an IRS designated 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Appleton, Wisconsin.
Matthews Tire is a locally owned tire and automotive service provider with locations in Appleton–East and West, Green Bay, Menasha, Fond du Lac and Waupaca. The last Oil Change for the Better event was held last May and raised $5,250 for Child Care Resource and Referral of the Fox Valley. For more information, visit matthewstire.com.
Matthews Tire to Host Oil Change for the Better October 22-27, 2018 Proceeds will support SOAR Fox Cities
APPLETON, Wis. (October 10, 2018) – Matthews Tire is hosting their 13th Oil Change for the Better event October 22-27, 2018. For every regular priced oil change performed throughout the week at all six locations (in Appleton–East and West, Menasha, Waupaca, Fond du Lac and Green Bay), Matthews Tire will donate $10 to SOAR Fox Cities. With a mission to empower people with differing abilities, SOAR Fox Cities serves more than 1,200 participants and touches the lives of over 19,000 family and community members in Northeast Wisconsin.
“We are beyond excited to partner with Matthews Tire to empower individuals with differing abilities,” shared Executive Director Erin N. Schultz, MSW. “At SOAR Fox Cities, we envision a world where all individuals are seen for their ABILITY, not their disABILITY. We’re a small nonprofit located just a few blocks from downtown Appleton and within the walls of our offices, and throughout the community, we aim to do just what our name says: SOAR! We help kiddos and adults SOAR above the barriers their disability may create.”
Money raised through Oil Change for the Better will be used to help kids like Dan. Dan was born with Down syndrome and is wheelchair bound. He often struggles with verbal communication, which can make it hard to make friends or fit in. But Dan has a place where he is known for his ability not his disability—SOAR Fox Cities. Through programs like Camp and Special Olympics, Dan can SOAR higher!
“We are excited to support an organization that makes a huge impact right here in our own backyard,” shared Matthews Tire President Trevor Rezner. “It’s a wonderful feeling to know dollars raised through something as simple as an oil change can make such a difference to so many families in our community.”
Oil Change for the Better is a semi-annual, weeklong charity event held by Matthews Tire. This September will be the thirteenth Oil Change for the Better event. In the last six years, Matthews Tire has raised $35,435 for various local nonprofits including Fox Valley Humane Society, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Salvation Army, Disabled American Veterans Transportation Program, Catalpa Health’s Race for a Reason, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Old Glory Honor Flight, Saving Paws Animal Rescue, Walleyes for Kids, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and Child Care Resource & Referral.
Matthews Tire is a locally owned tire and automotive service provider with locations in Appleton–East and West, Green Bay, Menasha, Fond du Lac and Waupaca. The last Oil Change for the Better event was held in May and raised $5,250 for Child Care Resource & Referral. For more information, visit matthewstire.com.
