Fall Are you a friend of ECHO?

L I F E I S A N E C H O - W H A T Y O U S E N D O U T , Y O U G E T B A C K !

Visit our website: www.echojanesville.org www.facebook.com/ECHOJanesville www.twitter.com/ECHOJanesvillle E-mail: office@echojanesville.org Phone: 608-754-5333 Fax: 608-754-9199

Fall 2020

 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, TURKEY TROT…….………2

 THANKSGIVING, DONATION FORM………...3

 ECHO COVID, HOLIDAY EXPRESS………...….…………...4

 WAYS TO HELP AT CHRISTMAS………...…………....5

 MEMORIALS/HONORARIUMS, VOLUNTEER TAKE 5….. ..6

 FOOD & FUND DRIVES……….……..……...7

 ONLINE SILENT AUCTION………...……….8

President

’

s Message

By Nancy Hansen-Bennett

Janesville has really stepped up to keep ECHO going and serving our hundreds of consumers without losing a beat. Our funding has kept up with our need and we are so grateful. It has been a true blessing for me to serve as your president these last two years. Working with ECHO staff is a real joy. We have so much talent giving so much. Our volunteers are truly angels as they have adapted to all the changes caused by the pandemic. Our end of the month community meal at St. John’s Lutheran church is going strong and we thank St. John’s and all the groups who have done an incredible job preparing meals to go. Thanks, Fran, for coordinating these meals. It is with gratitude to God and diligence of our Executive Committee that we have named Jessica Locher as ECHO’s new Executive Di-rector. We know that she will continue the ECHO mission and tradition of quality services to the greater Janesville area. Thanks and praise.

Are you a friend of ECHO?

www.facebook.com/ECHOJanesville

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE

WHO HAS BROUGHT IN DONATIONS

OF FRESH PRODUCE FROM THEIR

ABUNDANT CROPS!

Thank You and New Chapter at ECHO

By Jessica Locher, Executive Director

Your support of my new position at ECHO as Interim Executive Director and the recent announcement of being named Executive Director has meant a lot to me the past few

months. Karen Lisser, ECHO’s former Executive Director, retired after 26+ years of service to ECHO’s mission of meeting housing, food and other basic human needs and addressing the barriers to self-sufficiency. I would like to thank Karen for taking a chance on me back in the summer of 2004 as an intern from UW-Whitewater’s Social Work program. She taught me so much that summer and I was excited to be offered a full-time gig at ECHO after my internship ended. I have officially been at ECHO for 16 years as a Client Advocate, Office Manager and most recently Associate Director.

Thank you to Karen, the ECHO Staff, Board of Directors, many donors and volunteers, and colleagues over the years for shaping me into the person I am today. ECHO has grown over the past 51 years into a well-respected agency in the community, and I am privileged to be a part of the leadership team at ECHO. I understand the past and present stories of ECHO, and I am optimistic for ECHO’s future, especially in meeting the needs of our homeless neighbors. I believe that ECHO can make a positive difference in each of the families we serve with

your support. I lookforward tohearingfromyou, our supporters; without you, we would not be Everyone Cooperating to Help Others!

3

Due to COVID-19,

ECHO will not be

accepting donations of

cookies and bars.

Please consider

purchasing canned

cranberries, green

beans and corn

instead.

Decorated

Grocery Bags

the ECHO office for youth groups/ organizations to decorate . Due to COVID-19, decorated bags must be

dropped off at ECHO by Nov. 13.

THANKSGIVING

Donation

ECHO expects to assist

over 600 families

who are low-income.

Yes, I would like to sponsor ____ Thanksgiving Dinner(s) at $30 each and/or

I would like to make a donation to help feed families after Thanksgiving.

$25 □ $50 □ $100 □ $250 □ $500 □

Other

□ $

________

by sending in a check to the ECHO Office at 65 S. High St., Janesville, WI 53548,

made out to: “ECHO Thanksgiving”.

Please help make a family

’

s holiday a thankful one!

Name: ________________________ Phone #: _______________ E-Mail: ___________________________ Address: _______________________________________________ Zip Code: ___________________

Basket Distribution

Saturday, November 21

VOLUNTEERS NEED TO SIGN UP IN

ADVANCE BY CALLING FRAN AT 608-754-5333

(Due to COVID-19, we will be accepting a limited number of volunteers)

Please drop off at ECHO

ECHO and Community

’

s Response to COVID

-

19

By Rick Mueller, ECHO Board of Director Treasurer

Eight months ago all of our lives changed. We went from deciding where to go out for dinner to deciding how to safely buy groceries, cleaning supplies, and toilet paper. Some of us were lucky enough to work from home, some worked behind locked doors, and some businesses had to close because it was just too dangerous. Everyone had to come up with a plan. When the ECHO staff sat down to evaluate their options, they knew continuing to provide service could be dangerous. Many ECHO clients are at greater risk because they can’t shelter in place without a reliable shelter. Many have essential jobs with little control of their work environment, increasing their exposure. Closing was not an option for the courageous ECHO staff because they knew the most vulnerable in our commu-nity would need ECHO services more than ever.

So they got to work and completely reinvented how they provided service to be more efficient and keep everyone safe. Food orders are brought out to clients’ cars by volunteers. Most case management and rent assistance ap-pointments are done by phone and computer. Plexiglass shields have been put up in offices and everyone always wears a mask. ECHO asked a core group of volunteers to work more hours and asked others to stay home until it was safe to return.

ECHO’s work has never been more important. More people have lost their jobs, don’t have a place to stay, are behind in their rent, or can’t afford to buy food than ever before. The dedicated ECHO staff and volunteers are ready to assist everyone that needs their help. If you have been affected by the pandemic and need some help, please call 754-5333. If you have weathered the storm pretty well so far and have a few extra dollars to spare please consider sending a check to ECHO. We are all in this together and can make it through these tough times by helping each other because we are ECHO.

5

Christmas Toy Drive

and Distribution Info

Due to COVID-19 and ensuring the safety of our clients,

volunteers and staff, ECHO will be modifying their annual Toy Distribution. This year, ECHO is requesting monetary donations or gift cards from Blain’s Farm & Fleet. Parents will receive a gift card(s) to purchase presents, along with a prepacked goodie bag full of stocking stuffers and holiday cheer for children in need in our community.

Donations will be accepted now through December 10 at the ECHO office, 65 S. High St. from 9am-Noon & 1-4pm, Monday-Thursday, 9am-Noon, Friday, or call 754-5333 for an appointment to drop off donations.

Last year ECHO provided 517 children with Christmas toys. ECHO also distributed Christmas trees and decorations to 98 families who otherwise would not have been able to afford these holiday extras. Please be a part of our holiday tradition.

Holiday wrapping paper is needed and can also be dropped off along with the gift cards.

Any toy donations will be used for Birthday presents throughout the year for children in need.

Toy Distribution - Friday, December 11 Snow Day - Saturday, December 12 at ECHO (65 S High Street)

Preregistration from now - Thur., Dec. 10 at ECHO is required for participation in the program. Participants must bring photo ID, current utility bill with a Janesville address, and proof of income for the entire household.

Adopt-A-Family Program

Families who are chosen for the program complete a wish list for the donor to purchase items the family needs. Families who are not in the Adopt-A-Family are able to sign up for the Toy Program. The deadline to sign up as a donor for the Adopt-a-Family Program is November 13, 2020. To sign up or for more information, please contact Jessica at 754-5333 or by email at jlocher@echojanesville.org.

FREE ECHO CHRISTMAS DINNER

Friday, Dec. 25 from 11AM to 1PM

(Open to everyone in the community)

St. William

’

s Catholic Church, 1820 Ravine St., Janesville

Everyone

’

s welcome! Please join us!

Carry

-

out and Delivery Only Due To COVID

-

19

Tim Banwell Theodore Batterman Robert Brandt Arlene Brost David Brown Helen Clark Margaret Cullen

Joan Christine Dilts Neumiller

Richard B. DuBois Marjorie Durner

Willard Eddy Rojean Erlien Jenny Field Kimberly Davis Givhan

Marlene Goral Mary Jacobson Chet Minocha Gene Nelson Laurie Novotny Elizabeth Peterson Kathryn Radigan James & Norma Turner Jane Weber (Mary Jane Weber)

Lee Ziegelmann

We thank you all for thinking of ECHO!

Memorial and honorarium card packets are available at the ECHO office or through participating churches. Each packet contains:

1. An ECHO information sheet and envelope for you to mail or bring in your donation to ECHO.

2. A postcard to send to the person or family to let them know that a donation was made to ECHO in honor or memory of the person you are remembering.

3. Checks may be made payable to ECHO, Inc. (Your gift is tax deductible as allowed by law.)

In Honor:

We join the families and friends in congratulating the following ECHO friends who were honored by donations in celebration of their birthday, anniversary, or special occasion.

Rhonda Armstrong

Dona & Ken Bolton’s Anniversary Karen Lisser

Jessica Locher

Utzig Carstar Wendy Oren Paul & Karen Tropp

Since our last newsletter, we received contributions in memory of the following ECHO friends. Their families and friends are in our thoughts and prayers.

In Memoriam:

Name: Rita Milbrandt

How long have you volunteered at ECHO? I started out volunteering at the ECHO Thanksgiving Basket Distribution about 20 years ago.

How did you get involved at ECHO? When our son was in Cub Scouts, we volunteered at the Thanksgiving Basket Distribution to help him get his service hours. Two years ago our church asked me to be our church representative on the ECHO board.

What do you do at ECHO? I serve on the ECHO board as our church rep and on the fundraiser committee. Volunteer at Empty Bowls, Turkey Trot, assist with silent auction and organize food drives for ECHO at my church.

What is your favorite thing about ECHO? I just love working at ECHO and knowing that I’m helping others in whatever way I can.

What is one thing about ECHO that surprised you when you started volunteering? I’m constantly surprised by all that ECHO does for our community and how many volunteers it takes to get the work done.

7

Food Pantry Thank You

Special thanks to the following businesses and organizations for assisting our food pantry:

All Saints Anglican Catholic Church Amazon

Asbury United Methodist Church Bimbo Bakeries USA

Bird’s Eye Blain’s Farm & Fleet

Brownberry Bread Butternut Bakery

Cargill United Methodist Church Caritas

Catholic Charities Chambers & Owen Contemplative Prayer Group

Crystal Farms Daniel’s Sentry Food West

Dean Medical Group Delta Kappa Gamma

Dollar General Dunkin’ Donuts E & D Water Works Faith Lutheran Church

Family Dollar Festival Foods First Baptist

First Congregational Church First Lutheran Church First Presbyterian Church

Gardner Bakery

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Hedberg Public Library

Hendricks Properties Hormel

Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin Hunger Task Force - Milwaukee

Janesville Senior Center Jones Dairy Farm

KFC Kwik Trips Little Debbie McFarlane Pheasant Farm

Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church Mt. Zion United Methodist Church

Nativity of Mary Catholic Church New Life Assembly of God

NHA-WIC

NFI Olive Garden Our Savior Lutheran

Panera Bread Peace Lutheran Church

Pepsi

Riverplace Senior Housing Rock Green Realtors Rock Prairie Presbyterian Ruby’s Pantry Food Bank St. John Lutheran Church St. John Vianney Church St. Mark’s Lutheran Church St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church

St. Patrick Catholic Church St. Paul Lutheran Church St. Peter’s Lutheran Church St. William Catholic Church

Sam’s Club Schnucks Seneca Foods

Starbucks

Trinity Episcopal Church Washara Food Pantry

L

B

P

B

, P

B

,

T

T

& P

B

N

Drop them off at ECHO (65 S. High St., Janesville) Mon.-Fri. 9am-Noon, or Mon.-Thur. 1-4pm

ECHO, Inc. 65 S. High St., Janesville, WI 53548 Phone: 608-754-5333 Fax: 608-754-9199 E-mail: office@echojanesville.org www.echojanesville.org www.facebook.com/ECHOJanesville

Return Service Requested

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID

Janesville, WI

PERMIT NO. 491

For removal from our mailing list, call (608)754-5333, notify us in writing, or email office@echojanesville.org

GO GREEN.

REQUEST YOUR NEWSLETTER BY E-MAIL AT www.echojanesville.org

Holiday Online

Silent Auction

Help ECHO raise funds to meet basic human needs by participating in our online silent auction.

How to bid on items:

1) Visit https://echojanesville.org/pec-events/holiday-online

-silent-auction/. Each package is pictured with a description of the items.

2) Find the package or packages that you like. 3) Place your bid.

4) If you are the highest bid at 8:00pm on 11/15/2020, you are the winner!

Payment will be taken after the auction has ended. Items can be picked up at ECHO (65 S High St, Janesville, WI). Delivery is available in Rock County.