Giving Back This Holiday Season
Supporting 12 Local Organizations in Our Community
This year, our team had the privilege of supporting 12 incredible local non-profits and organizations that make a real difference in our community through holiday giving. From feeding families and providing shelter to empowering youth, supporting students, and caring for animals, each organization plays a vital role in helping our neighbors thrive. Our goal was not just to donate, but to learn about each organization’s mission, understand how the community can help, and contribute in ways that truly support their work. Here’s a closer look at how we helped, what they need, and how you can get involved.
1. The River Food Pantry
Dane County’s busiest food pantry, The River Food Pantry serves over 3,500 people each week with groceries, meals, hygiene items, and essential supplies. This annual holiday season, our team came together to collect food and raise funds to help stock the shelves. We focused on their most-needed items: soup, cereal, rice, pasta, pasta sauce, peanut butter, gluten-free items, chicken broth, 1–2 lb. bags of flour and boxed potatoes, as well as paper products, hygiene items, and cleaning supplies.
Get involved: Donate food or make a financial contribution, or shop from their Amazon Wish List. Together, we can help ensure no family goes hungry.
2. Porchlight
Since 1984, Porchlight has been dedicated to reducing homelessness in Dane County. They provide emergency shelter, affordable housing, and supportive services that empower individuals and families to rebuild their lives. Rooted in compassion and community partnership, Porchlight has transformed emergency shelter efforts into long-term housing solutions. This holiday season, we helped meet the needs of shelter guests and residents by donating items from their wish list, including essentials that provide stability and comfort for those transitioning into safer, more secure housing.
Get involved: Donate items, contribute through their Amazon Wish List, or coordinate a group donation drive to strengthen our community, one household at a time.
3. First Tee of South Central Wisconsin
The First Tee of South Central Wisconsin empowers kids and teens through the game of golf, while teaching life skills that carry far beyond the course, such as confidence, resilience, emotional awareness, goal-setting, and conflict resolution. By joining the Bracket Challenge at the John Flesch Golf & Academic Center, our team helped support youth development in the community.
Get involved: Learn more and participate in the Bracket Challenge to help First Tee continue shaping strong, confident, and capable young leaders.
4. School District of Janesville
School District of Janesville, Delivering Bags of Hope, is an initiative helping students who may not know where their next meal is coming from. With 53% of students qualifying for free school meals, the need is significant. In the first quarter of this school year alone, Bags of Hope distributed 5,000 snack bags to support students and families. Our team purchased items from their Amazon Wishlist, including Ritz Bites, Chewy Granola Bars, Breakfast Bars, Goldfish, applesauce, and more, helping ensure students have access to food when they need it most.
Get involved: Donate funds, purchase snacks, or help assemble bags through Bags of Hope.
5. Dane County Humane Society (DCHS)
Dane County Humane Society provides refuge, healing, and new beginnings to thousands of companion animals, farm animals, exotic species, and injured or orphaned wildlife. As an open-admission shelter, they accept all animals, regardless of age, health status, or temperament, and guarantee care until every animal finds a loving home. Our team donated items from their wishlist to support ongoing programs such as humane education, community pet care, wildlife rescue, foster care, and adoption services. Every gift, donation, or hour of volunteer time helps DCHS continue their life-saving work and ensures every paw finds a safe home this holiday season.
Get involved: You can volunteer to help care for animals or support community programs, foster animals in need, sponsor events or programs, organize donation drives, donate items from their wishlist, or support their thrift store through purchases or donations.
6. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Madison
Ronald Mcdonald House Charities-Madison provides a “home away from home” for families traveling for a child’s medical treatment. They offer lodging, home-cooked meals, laundry facilities, and emotional support to families during a challenging time. When the House is full, additional families stay at nearby hotels, ensuring parents can focus on their child’s health without worrying about accommodations. Our team assembled Family Room Care Bags filled with essentials given to parents upon check-in, helping them feel supported and cared for while their children receive treatment.
Get involved: Donate items, comfort kits, or gift cards to support families through RMHC-Madison.
7. Elkhorn Area School District
Elkhorn Area School District’s Snack in a Pack Program provides confidential weekend food assistance to elementary and middle-school students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Each Friday, students receive a bag of non-perishable items to help ensure they have access to nutritious food when school isn’t in session. Our team donated snacks including Ritz cracker sandwiches, chewy granola bars, bottled water, and a monetary contribution to help keep this initiative going.
Get involved: Learn more about Snack in a Pack and support local students in need.
8. UW Health Kids
UW Health – Children’s Hospital Child Life holds a program in Madison that helps children cope with hospitalization through therapeutic play, education, and emotional support. Specialists work with patients to reduce fear, anxiety, and pain, creating moments of joy and comfort during treatment. Our team contributed toys such as Lego kits, coloring books, slime kits, dinosaurs, kinetic sand, craft kits, and Fisher-Price musical toys. These donations allow Child Life specialists to engage children in meaningful activities that support emotional and developmental well-being.
Get involved: Donate toys, volunteer, or support the program here.
9. Operation Fresh Start (OFS)
Operation Fresh Start has been transforming lives for young adults (ages 16–24) in Dane County since 1970 through education, mentoring, and job training. More than 9,000 young people have earned high school diplomas, gained certifications in construction, conservation, and healthcare, and built life skills for long-term success. OFS also contributes to the community by building affordable homes and supporting conservation projects. Our team donated items from their wishlist to support youth programs, helping the next generation gain stability, education, and hope.
Get involved: Support OFS programs through donations or volunteer opportunities.
10. Sun Prairie Schools
After consulting with Sun Prairie Schools staff and administration team, our team purchased winter gloves for students, and one team member even hand-knitted cozy hats to help keep students warm. Wisconsin winters are harsh, and warm gear is essential for children walking to school, waiting at bus stops, or playing outside.
Get involved: Donate gear, help a teacher, or support families through the Sun Prairie Schools Community page.
11. Cottage Grove Elementary School – Monona Grove School District
Cottage Grove Elementary School in the Monona Grove School District is deeply committed to equity and ensuring students feel valued, respected, and supported by staff, families, and neighbors alike. The school’s environment encourages strong connections and promotes a safe space where every child can thrive. After talking with their staff, we donated gloves and snacks to help them stay warm and energized through the school day.
In addition to classroom learning, many students rely on school for food and basic needs, and schools in the area partner with programs focused on meeting these needs, including efforts to provide food and winter clothing for students and families in need. Many students rely on schools for food and basic needs, and these contributions help ensure they feel supported in the classroom and on the playground.
Get involved: Learn how to support Cottage Grove Elementary and help provide essential needs to students.
12. MSCR – Madison School & Community Recreation
Madison School & Community Recreation provides year-round recreation and enrichment programs for children of all ages, including arts, sports, and after-school care. These programs are all designed to support the well-being and growth of children and families in the Madison community. After speaking directly with the team about their greatest needs for elementary after-school programs, they shared that the items most helpful this winter are: Winter gear (water-resistant gloves/mittens, hats), and snowpants, Board games, and Art supplies (especially markers and glue sticks to fuel creativity). Whether students are playing games with friends, expressing themselves through art, or staying warm and dry on their walk home, these essentials help create fun, safe, and supportive environments after the school day ends.
Get involved: Donate supplies or volunteer to help MSCR continue enriching the lives of children in Madison.
This holiday season, our team was proud to contribute not just donations, but also our time, energy, and care to help strengthen our community. From food and clothing to education, recreation, and comfort, these contributions support neighbors, families, students, and animals in meaningful ways. Together, we can make a difference—one person, one family, and one act of kindness at a time
