During the past winter, we were reminded once again how collaboration enriches our community—and how shared generosity can extend the impact of every gift.
Our LIVE UNITED Community Vault received hundreds of cozy mittens from Silver Star Brands, helping us keep winter essentials stocked and ready for individuals and families across the area. Around the same time, the Winnebago Area Literacy Council shared extra teddy bears they had received from the Build-A-Bear Foundation. After gifting bears to the children in their Women and Children program, they donated the remaining bears to our Community Vault—wanting to make sure as many children in our community as possible could experience the same comfort and joy. And thanks to longtime donor Sheila Kuhl, nearly 100 handmade fleece blankets were also contributed. Sheila has been generously sewing and donating these blankets for years, providing warmth and a personal touch for those in need.
These generous gifts are a meaningful example of amplified giving—where one act of generosity builds on another to reach even more people. By combining resources, our staff was able to distribute the mittens, teddy bears, and blankets to agencies serving individuals and families in southern Winnebago County, including the Community Clothes Closet (pictured above: Heidi Thomas with Kristi Isca, Business Manager at Community Clothes Closet). This partner will help get these items into the hands of those who need them most, with the teddy bears making a special appearance at their annual PajamaRama event. Additional recipients of mittens and blankets include The Salvation Army, Day By Day Shelter, State Street Center, Vel Phillips Middle School, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, and the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh.
Emma Thompson from Winnebago Area Literacy Council helps load bears into the OAUW Sweepstakes Car as Heidi Thomas picks them up for community distribution.
OAUW CEO Beth Oswald prepares to deliver cozy mittens and handmade blankets to area nonprofits supporting local individuals.
Heidi Thomas inventories donated winter mittens from Silver Star Brands, preparing them for distribution to local nonprofits serving our community.
This is the strength of collaboration: local businesses, nonprofits, organizations, and community members working together to multiply their impact. Together, we’re creating a community that looks out for one another—and where every donation, no matter how small, helps make a meaningful difference.
United is the Way to a stronger, more connected community.
How Can You Amplify Impact in Our Community?
The LIVE UNITED Community Vault is a central collection point at Oshkosh Area United Way for essential items like hygiene products, cleaning supplies, diapers, paper products, and seasonal gear. These donations are shared with local nonprofits that support individuals and families in need—helping them stretch limited budgets and serve more people.
Jessica Miller, Office and Volunteer Manager at Day By Day, picks up donated supplies from the OAUW Community Vault to support their guests.
When you give to the Community Vault, your impact is amplified. One donation can support multiple agencies and touch countless lives. You can help by donating new, unused items or organizing a collection drive at your workplace, school, or with a community group. It’s a simple way to multiply kindness and meet real needs in our community.
You can check out our full donation list at https://bit.ly/StockTheVault.
Donations can be dropped off at Oshkosh Area United Way, 16 Washington Avenue. We recommend calling ahead at (920) 235-8560 or emailing oauw@oshkoshunitedway.org to ensure a staff member is available to assist you.
No time to drop off donations? You can still make a difference with just a few clicks. A monetary gift to Oshkosh Area United Way is an easy way to support programs and initiatives that amplify impact across our community.
Give online HERE!