Sentry sets record with $1.53M for United Way

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (October 30, 2020) – Sentry employees and the Sentry Insurance Foundation raised more than $1.53 million for United Way during the mutual insurer’s annual campaign—a new fundraising record.

In Stevens Point, Wisconsin, where Sentry is based, the company and its employees topped a million dollars for the United Way of Portage County for a sixth straight year. Employees, most of whom are working remotely, came together to donate $1,225,000 to United Way of Portage County during its 75th year of existence in the community. The total, announced October 29 during a private virtual event, included employee pledges, virtual special events fundraising, and a matching donation from the foundation.

That total accounts for 40 percent of the United Way of Portage County’s 2020 community goal of $3,050,000.

“We are continually amazed with the strength and fortitude shown by all Sentry associates in support of the communities where you live and work,” said Sue Wilcox, United Way of Portage County executive director (pictured above). “This year, with a vast majority of Sentry associates working remotely, both here and in communities all around the country, and in addition to the many obstacles your team faced in rewriting your campaign playbook in the midst of a pandemic—we could not be more proud of you. Each one of you is a gift.”

Sentry presented a $1,225,000 check October 29 to Wilcox during a virtual campaign coordinators’ celebration. Later, Sentry Chairman of the Board, President, and CEO Pete McPartland shared his thoughts on this year’s campaign.

“When faced with the challenge of raising funds through virtual events, Sentry employees rallied to conduct a spirited two-week campaign,” McPartland said. “Recognizing the need in our community runs especially deep this year, they also stepped up their personal giving to United Way. Their generous level of giving reflects their community mindfulness and the trust they have in the vitality and strength of Sentry, which they’ve helped build and maintain year after year.”

McPartland also acknowledged the effort that Sentry United Way Leadership Committee Chair Linda Calnan and the 2020 committee of Brenda Bierman, Holly Dimodica, Scott Hellberg, Dan Lau, Jeffrey Rasmussen, Robert Yeiser, and Dan Zastava put into organizing the campaign.

To help celebrate the achievement and the stabilizing force Sentry has been for United Way of Portage County, 2020 co-chairs in attendance included Lorraine Avery, Mary Berard, Jason and Jenny Blenker, Marg Coker-Nelson, London Cooper, Kathy Davies, Mike Hofmeister, Alex Okray, and Tina Peters.

Sentry employees organized dozens of virtual fundraisers, including a video competition, interactive social events, a photo contest, a scavenger hunt, a trivia contest, wellness events, a cooking competition, and online sales.

United Way of Portage County focuses on the most vulnerable populations in its communities through collaborations with 28 partner programs and two initiatives with an emphasis on education, financial stability, and health—the building blocks for a good quality of life and a strong community.

The annual Sentry United Way campaign first topped $1 million in 2015. With this year’s donation, Sentry employees and the Sentry Insurance Foundation have contributed more than $17.5 million to the United Way of Portage County since 2000.

In her comments, Wilcox quoted Stephen Hawking: “Hawking once said, ‘Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.’ I believe this. It’s clear that you believe it too—because you live it. It’s also clear to me that you are some of the smartest and most generous people we could ever have as our friends—and as our champions” she said. “Please know that we love you and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts.”