2016 GATHERING GOLF CLASSIC

This year’s golf classic – The Gathering’s annual fundraising event – scheduled for Friday, June 10 was blessed with sunny, hot, windy weather.  Seventy-six golfers gathered during a nearly cloudless afternoon at Evergreen Golf Club in Elkhorn, Wisconsin to vie to be named Gathering champs for a year, along with chances to win prizes on the course,  and a hole-in-one car. A wine ring toss and raffle accompanied the event which netted nearly $13,000 to continue The Gathering’s mission to feed Milwaukee’s hungry and homeless.

Please check out our Event Sponsors and Raffle Donors below as well as Prize Winners and numerous photos.

Next year’s event is tentatively scheduled for Friday, June 9, 2017.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR 2016 GATHERING GOLF CLASSIC SPONSORS & RAFFLE DONORS

Gold Sponsors ($2500):

Silver Sponsors ($1000):

Mel & David Johnson

Mike & Ginny McBride

Ab Nicholas

Raffle donors
Bill Bond
Sue & Mike Carnahan
Colectivo
Comedy Sportz
Eugene Detert
Discovery World
Doubletree by Hilton
Dr. McGillicuddy
Mary & Emil End
Fred Astaire Dance Company
German Fest
Harley-Davidson Motor Company
Indulgence Chocolatiers
Greg Johnson
Joy Global
Lakefront Brewery
Lynden Sculpture Garden
Mike and Ginny McBride
Milwaukee Admirals
Milwaukee Ale House/Milwaukee
    Brewing Company

Milwaukee County Zoo
Milwaukee Food & City Tours
Milwaukee Irish Fest
Milwaukee Repertory Theatre
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Milwaukee World Festival, Inc.
Moxie Fitness LLC
Next Act Theatre
Polish Fest
Potawatomi Hotel & Casino
PRP Wine International
Ray & Dot’s Tap
Schlitz Audubon Nature Center
Virginia Schrag
Sprecher Brewing Company
Teresa Trostmiller
Villa Terrace & Charles Allis Art MuseumsWoodman’s Markets
Judy Young
Additional wine for Ring Toss donated by
    Gathering Board Members

EAT AT PANERA AND HELP THE GATHERING!

You have to eat, right?  Why not have a great meal and support The Gathering at the same time?! 

Next Tuesday – May 3 - bring your family and friends to

Panera Bread Bakery/Café at
600 East Ogden Avenue in Milwaukee
between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. 

Bring a printed copy of the attached flyer or an electronic version on your phone or tablet and present it upon ordering.  When you do that, a percentage of what you pay for your meal will go to The Gathering’s work of feeding Milwaukee’s hungry and homeless – if we have 50+ flyers turned in that night we will receive 20% of the proceeds.
Click here or on the flyer below to get a printable version.

DON'T FORGET! Bring a printed copy of the attached flyer or an electronic version on your phone or tablet and present it upon ordering. 

GIVERS' HONOR ROLL

The Gathering Board of Directors thanks the following generous supporters giving $250 or more between August 1, 2015 and January 31, 2016.

$15,000 - $25,000
Catholic Community Foundation-JCC Fund
EFSP Phase XXX Allocation
Nicholas Family Foundation

$10,000 - $14,999
1 Anonymous Donors
Hunger Relief Fund of Wisconsin

$5,000 - $9,999
All Saints’ Cathedral Hunger Book Sale
H. Copeland and Claire P. Greene Fund (other funds)-The Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Empty Bowls Project
Mel and David Johnson
Lux Foundation
Jane Bradley Pettit Foundation
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church-Milwaukee
United Way of Greater Milwaukee Donor Choice

$2,500 - $4,999
Christ Church Episcopal – Whitefish Bay
Greg and Jackie Johnson
Level 3 Communications
Luedke-Smith Fund - The Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Joseph and Joni McDevitt
Mark and Karen Meunier
Thompson Family Foundation - Waukesha County Community Foundation

$1,000 - $2,499
6 Anonymous Donors
Evert and Cindy Berndt
Lucy Cooper
Rachel Finger
Gathering Memorial Fund -The Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Daniel and Kathy Glaser
Green Bay Packers Foundation
Thomas and Mary Hawley
Jerome and Lynn Johnson
Dan and Nancy Kiernan
Lutheran Chapel of the Cross-Milwaukee
Harry and Ellie Moseley
John and Beryl Mulhern
Kevin and Cheryl O'Connor
Rite Hite Foundation
St. Alphonsus Congregation-Greendale
Richard Schreiner
Margaret Schumacher
Charles Schwab Foundation
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church-Hubertus
Richard and Mary Thickens
Jason and Laura Thurow
Charles Trainer and Anne Booth
Robert and Ellen Venable
Willard and Mary Walker, Jr.
Donald and Kate Wilson
Lee and Carol Wolcott

$500 - $999
10 Anonymous Donors
Robert C. Archer Designated Fund-The Greater Milwaukee Foundation
David and Mary Claire Ashpole
Caroline Barbee
James Bauman and Candace Moore
William and Kathryn Berezowitz
David Bourne
Patricia Bowne
Joe and Marlene Bruno
Michael Carter
CNA Insurance Company
Paul and Mary Counsell
James and Diane Cowles
Richard and Mary DeLuca
Paul and Patsy Ellsworth
Faith Community Congregational Church-Franklin
First Unitarian Society of Milwaukee
Greendale Community Church
David P. and Marjorie L. Hamacher Fund- The Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Heider and Bott Company
Michael Istwan and Amy Korpi
Ted and Mary Kellner
Knights Templar
Eugene and Gwendolyn Lavin
George and Sharon Loxton
Daryl and Kim Lueck
Andrew Martin and Janet Trostel Martin
Jane Matheus
Thomas Mooney and Elene Strates
Rex and Gladys Merriman Fund-The Greater Milwaukee Foundation
Randy Miller and Jana Troutman-Miller
Jeff and Holly Morris
William and Susan Mueller
Greg and Beth Myers
Jack and Martha Prince Family Fund-The Greater Milwaukee Foundation
St. Christopher's Episcopal Church-River Hills
St. Matthias Parish-Milwaukee
Gary and Maureen Shebesta
James and Christine Speaker
Carrie Taylor and Nettie Taylor Robinson Memorial Fund-The Greater Milwaukee Foundation
The Other Stratton Foundation
Barbara and John Trimble Family Foundation
Carl and Nancy Trimble
Trinity Episcopal Church-Wauwatosa
Patrick and Joanne Ward
Trevor and Margaret Will
Eugene and Carmen Witt
John and Julie Wolf
George Yu

$250 - $499
16 Anonymous Donors
Jeff and Susan Allen
Dave and Jill Aschebrook
Richard and Patsy Aster
Marianne and Dennis Bach
Richard and Carol Bayerlein
Robert and Elizabeth Bradley
Mark and Amy Bronner
Jim Brown and Ann Brophy
Law Office of John Cabaniss
Dave and Rachel Chapin
Data Financial, Inc.
Gene and Yvonne Detert
Leanne Drives
Thomas and Michele Ebben
Thomas and Linda Feist
Dean Fitzgerald
Sarah Ford and Randall Klumb
Thomas and Roxanne Gebhard
Greg and Hazel Griffin
Howard and Christine Gygax
Stephen and Deborah Heinze
Joe and Mary Herring
Steve and Stephanie Heyroth
Amy Hudson
Herbert H. Kohl Charities
Brian and Suzanne Lanser
Jim Lemerand
Evan Lenhardt and Virginia Finn-Lenhardt
Steve and Kathy Lockwood
Peter Mahsem, Sr.
Michael McClone
Douglas Mettelman
Robert and Colleen Miller
Jo Mooney
Jim O'Connor
Charles and Evelyn Payson
Mary Prince
Verne and Mary Read
Mason and Julie Ross
St. Francis Episcopal Church-Menomonee Falls
Joel and Ellen Sauer
Richard and Mary Savio
Marc and Brigid Schaepkens
Thomas and Meredie Scrivner
Rosemary Selep
Admar Semedo
Bruce and Janine Smith
Jerry Smith and Sharon Beste
Scott and Holly Stoner
Dean and Kathy Thome
Vilter Company
Western States Envelope Company
Alan and Xue Willhite

2016 INSPIRE BY EXAMPLE TEAM AWARD WINNER

The Gathering’s 25+ Years Saturday Lunch Leadership Team

GATHERING VOLUNTEERS ARE AWARDED  THE 2016 INSPIRE BY EXAMPLE TEAM AWARD
This year’s winner of the Nonprofit Center’s 2016 Inspire by Example Team Award is The Gathering’s 25+ Years Saturday Lunch Leadership Team.  These Gathering volunteers have consistently, for 25 years or more, cooked or coordinated the meal at one of our Saturday Lunch sites on at least a monthly basis.  Leadership volunteers perform jobs that would otherwise be done by paid staff.
The 25+ Saturday Lunch Leadership Team includes:
Four Saturday Cooking Crews:                                                                                                       St. Anne’s                                                                                                                                           King Solomon’s/Progressive Baptist                                                                                                  Bay Leaf Bruisers
 All Saints Cathedral                                                                                                                Between the four of them, these volunteer crews have cooked over 1,000 times – nearly 3 years of Saturdays; an estimated 204,800 meals; 3,200 hours of service.  All Gathering meals are cooked from scratch at each meal site.  The Gathering provides the equipment, supplies, food and menus.  The volunteer cooking crews provide the culinary expertise, creativity, commitment and passion.

Four Saturday Lunch Coordinators:                                                                                               Rick Thickens                                                                                                                                  Mary Thickens                                                                                                                                   Lisa Murray                                                                                                                                      Gregg Weirauch                                                                                                                          These coordinators have guided volunteer groups over 880 times – over 2 ½ years of Saturdays; 4,400 plus hours of service.  They are responsible for the entire meal program from set up to instructing and supervising the volunteer serving group to cleaning up and securing the meal site.  They are also responsible for creating and maintaining the atmosphere of hospitality essential to this work.

Here is the full list of all 2016 Inspire by Example Award winners:
Adult Award:  Jim Stanke; nominated by Milwaukee Habitat for Humanity
Youth Award:  J’Korevia Lawson; nominated by City on a Hill
Business Award:  GE Healthcare
Team Award:   25+ Years Saturday Lunch Leadership Team; nominated by The Gathering
Wile Volunteer Management Award:  Ana Kleppin; nominated by IndependenceFirst
Swigart Board Leadership Award:  Eric Isbister; nominated by Beyond Vision    
Award Winners will be recognized on April 7 at the Nonprofit Center’s 2016 Volunteer Celebration luncheon to be held at the Italian Community Center.  
WAY TO GO TEAM!!!

Meet Our New Breakfast Team

The Breakfast Team:  Christopher, Nicole, and Patricia

In the fall of 2015 we welcomed Nicole Franklin as our new Breakfast Coordinator, Patricia Moore as our new Breakfast Cook, and Christopher Pernell as our newly assigned Security Guard. In a recent conversation the three agreed that they make a very good team and are blessed that they can make a difference in someone’s life every day at work.

Nicole: Mother of 3 daughters and one son (ages 10-19). Nicole has 20 years experience working in community organizations. She continues to work with children from Kindergarten-8th grade and their parents as Site Coordinator for two of COA’s afterschool programs. Nicole loves giving back and especially “loves the people” (our guests). Born and raised in Milwaukee (Milwaukee High School of the Arts), Nicole enjoys driving, all sorts of travel and spending time with her family.

My observation: Nicole has an amazing ability to approach any situation calmly and with reason; she is unflappable and upbeat.

Patricia: Mother of 4 daughters and grandmother of 6 (ages 2-14). Pat loves, loves, loves cooking. She has cooked professionally in the community for 27 years, and continues to cook at the St. Vincent de Paul south side dinner program. Pat appreciates how the Breakfast Program works and enjoys giving back to the community. Born in Louisiana, Pat moved to Milwaukee as a teenager (North Division High School). She enjoys spending time with her grandkids, family gatherings, and, of course, cooking.

My observation: Pat expresses joy daily in her work in The Gathering’s Breakfast kitchen; she does indeed love cooking and treasures the feedback from our guests; she is quick to smile.

Christopher: Assigned to The Gathering by Great Lakes Security. Chris was born and raised in Milwaukee (Northwest High School) and is the uncle to many nephews. What Chris likes about providing security at the Breakfast Program is that he is also helping people, putting a smile on someone’s face, calming situations that arise, simply providing a cup of coffee. He has come to feel fortunate for what he has been given. Outside of work, Chris enjoys his nephews, plays basketball, and serves as a volunteer basketball coach at COA.

My observation: Great smile; willing to help in any way possible – welcoming guests and volunteers, unloading the delivery van, handing out coffee, assisting in finding guest resources – in addition to providing security.

 In closing, the team agreed that - even though from time to time they are dragging, not quite awake (arrival time is 6:30 a.m.) or just not moving very fast - when the meal guests arrive, so does the energy. If you haven’t had a chance to see the team at work, come on down! Individuals and groups up to 3 people are welcome any Monday – Friday morning, 7:00-10:00 a.m., St. James’ Episcopal Church, 833 W. Wisconsin Avenue. Larger groups, please call The Gathering office at 414-272-4122 to schedule.

Reflection for August 2015

Our reflection this newsletter is written by Becky Long, the Gathering’s Program and Volunteer Manager. August 1 was Becky’s last day with us; she is moving on to work in the housing field. We will miss her terribly. ~ Ginny Schrag, Executive Director

Staff members Angela, Becky, and Marianne at the Gathering’s first ever major donor event

I remember my first staff meeting with the Gathering vividly. The staff team felt like a curious little world that I wanted to be a part of—but was also kind of intimidated by. It was hard to imagine back then how quickly I’d get swept up into that energy, humor, compassion and dynamic fast-paced environment that kept and still keeps the Gathering spinning.

I remember another staff meeting on the south side nearly a year later. We had had a few very busy weeks with some expected and unexpected challenges, but everyone managed and continued the spin. At this particular meeting, we slowed down. Ginny took a moment to tell the staff how thankful she was for their work. I hadn’t been around very long, but I remember in that moment feeling proud and joyful. I remember looking around and agreeing wholeheartedly. This was an exceptional team. I knew that I belonged to this team and could learn from them, and learn I did.

Jim taught me that tough love and forming relationships can go a long way. Ed taught me the beauty that comes with devoting yourself to a cause. Moses taught me that there’s always a way to make it work. Dennis taught me, no matter how hard things get, you can still hope for the million dollars. Marianne taught me how to seamlessly integrate love, laughter and efficiency into the workplace and Ginny taught me the importance of being a patient, humble and incredibly dedicated leader.

I remember when Bob, Angela, and Rosy were added to the pack. Sitting at staff meetings, it was weird to not feel like the “new kid” anymore, but they never really felt like new kids either. Angela deeply cared about the guests, volunteers, staff and the Breakfast Program from day one. And Bob’s quips about corn dogs helped maintain the joyful attitude the Gathering is famous for. And who could forget Rosy? Together with Angela, they form a dream team with a passion that not only keeps the Gathering spinning, but pumps the Breakfast Program up to warp speed with a contagious, fun liveliness that can’t stop, won’t stop, and shouldn’t stop.

I guess it’s strange, but leaving this meal program, my reflections don’t bring me back to tables of food and guests. The tables that stick out in my mind are the office tables. Where the people I had grown to care for, learn from and belong to came together—where plans, ideas, concerns, lists, laughter and happiness were shared. The table that I come back to in my reflections doesn’t bring people together for a physical meal, but one of purpose, fulfillment, fellowship and spiritual nourishment.

I know when I leave, the Gathering will keep on spinning. New sources of energy will come and go and keep it alive. I am sad to leave what has felt like family for three years, but I know there will always be a place for me at the table.