Bringing you the voices and stories of the difference-makers in our community.
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Greater Oshkosh Economic
Development Corporation 
Amanda Sharon speaks with Tricia Rathermel, President and CEO of Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation about their programs and initiatives. Greater Oshkosh EDC was a recipient of the Basic Needs Partnership Grant from US Venture, made possible with funds raised through the US Venture Open.
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Fork Farms
Amanda Sharon speaks with Alex Tyink, President of Fork Farms. Fork Farms works to improve the food system and transform the way communities access and engage with fresh food through hydroponic technology. Fork Farms works with educators, nonprofit leaders, food service providers, chefs and schools to bring healthier food to the world. They have developed indoor hydroponic vertical farming technology to transform the way people grow and connect with fresh food.
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Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin
Lois Mischler President and CEO of Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin joins Amanda Sharon to speak about their programs and services. Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin was a recipient of the Basic Needs Giving Partnership grant given by US Venture through funds raised by the US Venture Open.
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Holyland Food Pantry
Katie Schmitz, board member from Holyland Food Pantry joins Amanda Sharon. Holyland received a grant through funds raised through the US Venture Open. Katie Schmitz speaks about how the grant money changes things for HFP and outlines plans for the new facility they are building. The new building will help them provide more opportunities for the community.
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The Grand Oshkosh
Amanda Sharon is joined by Joe Ferlo, Director of The Grand Oshkosh, about what is coming up for the 2022/23 season at The Grand including the return of The Four Phantoms. They also have new programming taking place in The Grand Lounge. Tickets can be found at thegrandoshkosh.org or by calling 920-424-2350
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Appleton Downtown Inc
Jennifer Stephany, Executive Director at Appleton Downtown Inc joins us to talk about what they have going on over the next few months. Appleton Downtown operates the Farmers Market, many downtown concerts and over 75 events per year. They host art walks, wine walks, craft beer walks and also manage the city parades. ADI also helps to produce Oktoberfest, Mile of Music and more. Additionally, Appleton Downton Inc. focuses on economic development, supporting projects and programs to help drive business downtown and help to support the downtown businesses.
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People of Progression
Kristen Gondek, Project Coordinator and Director of People of Progression joins Amanda Sharon to speak about the grant People of Progression received through US Venture and dollars raised through The US Venture Open. People of Progression works to empower African American families with tools, training and supportive resources needed to organize and guarantee that their issues, concerns and values are represented equitably in their communities.
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First Five Fox Valley
Barb Tengesdal, Executive Director of First Five Fox Valley joins Amanda Sharon for Community Voices. They speak about the grant First Five Fox Valley received from US Venture through funds raised via the US Venture Open. First Five Fox Valley’s mission is to cultivate a community that empowers and supports every family to build a solid foundation for children in their first five years.
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U.S. Venture Open
Kristen Gondek, Project Coordinator and Director of People of Progression joins Amanda Sharon to speak about the grant People of Progression received through US Venture and dollars raised through The US Venture Open. People of Progression works to empower African American families with tools, training and supportive resources needed to organize and guarantee that their issues, concerns and values are represented equitably in their communities.
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Brown County Library
Sarah Sugden, Executive Director of The Brown County Library, speaks about the revitalization project underway for The Brown County Library and their 9 locations throughout Brown County. They are also working on a major initiative to improve children’s literacy. More information can be found at Browncountylibrary.org
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Brown County United Way
Robyn Davis, President and CEO of Brown County United Way, joins Amanda Sharon to discuss the work Brown County United Way does in our community. Their mission is to unite people, resources and ideas to create community solutions that strengthen every person in every community throughout Brown County. Their vision is to see an inclusive community where everyone has optimal access to health, education, financial well-being and community connection. More information on how to donate or volunteer can be found at browncountyunitedway.org.
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Art Street
Carol Faltynski, Executive Director for Mosaic Arts and Molly Carey, Marketing and Special Events Coordinator at Mosaic Arts join Amanda Sharon. Mosaic Arts is the non-profit organization behind the annual art, music and food festival Art Street. Art Street has a new location this year at Ashwaubomay Park in Ashwaubenon and will be held on August 26th, 27th and 28th. They discuss what the event will look like this year and what will be offered.
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World Central Kitchen
Candice Mortara, owner of River Thyme Bistro in Appleton joins Amanda Sharon to talk about their recent support of World Central Kitchen. River Thyme Bistro has added some Ukrainian dishes to their menu in support of World Central Kitchen. For each dish $5 goes toward their goal of $5,000 to raise for a donation to World Central Kitchen, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing meals to those in need after crisis or natural disaster.
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Operational K9 Medical Team of Wisconsin
Lyn Schuh, Operations Director for The Operational K9 Medical Team of Wisconsin speaks about the training they provide to the handlers of Operational K9’s, or police dogs. Many of the handlers of these dogs don’t receive training on how to give them medical attention in the field if they are injured on the job, before they get to the veterinary hospital. The Operational K9 Medical Team of Wisconsin works to educate EMS teams, police officers and any official or person who works with an Operational K9.
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JDRF
Julie Feest, Market Director for JDRF the Wisconsin chapter and Karla Spika, President of the Northeastern Wisconsin Chapter of the Board for JDRF join Amanda Sharon to talk about JDRF, The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. It was founded my mother’s of children with Type 1 Diabetes who wanted to find a cure. JDRF operates as a research foundation, an advocacy group and a community engagement resource.
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Fox Cities Performing Arts Center
Maria Van Laanen, President and CEO of the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center joins Amanda Sharon to talk about the current season and some of the PAC’s programs. She highlights The Center Stage High School Musical Theater Program, a program that was created uniquely here in the Fox Cities with High School musical directors. Last year marked the 5th anniversary of the program, engaging 24 high schools throughout Wisconsin.
More information and for tickets to the PAC at Foxcitiespac.com |
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St. Joseph Food Program
Monica Clare Executive Director of St. Joseph Food Program joins Amanda Sharon to talk about St. Joseph Food Program and who they serve. They also discuss The Backpack Assistance Program, a program that serves schools and helps them get food for their students.
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Music & Arts Based Education
Dede Heid Executive Vice President of Heid music, Julie Wagnitz Director of School Music Services at Heid Music and Renee Ullman Appleton Area School District Fine Arts Coordinator discuss the importance of what music & arts based education offers to students in the short-term aspects of higher graduation rates, student retention and social & emotional well being in the long-term.
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Mile of Music 8
Anne Sayers, Acting Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Tourism joins Amanda Sharon to speak about Mile of Music 8. They also talk about Wisconsin Tourism and destination areas in Wisconsin people may not know about.
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Antix Theatrix
Alex Frantz, Founder and Artistic Director of Antix Theatrix joins Amanda Sharon to talk about this emerging non-profit, a collective of artists who believe in collaboration, creativity and community. They specialize in theatrical events and accept proposals from various artists who would like to see their projects come to fruition. Antix Theatrix are practitioners of “Fair Trade Artists” the belief that artists should be paid for their time and talents. Antix Theatrix looks to create opportunities for artists to collaborate and get paid fairly for their time and talents. More information can be found on upcoming productions, and how artists can submit proposals on their website Antix.productions
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Craft Music Showcase at Paperfest
Evan Freimuth, Co-founder of Venture Wisconsin joins Amanda Sharon to talk about the Craft Music Showcase at Paperfest. The line-up of all original and local bands takes place from Thursday July 15th through Saturday July 17th. Some of the bands and artists include; Cory Chisel, Kyle Megna and The Monsoons, Christopher Gold and the New Old Things and many more. The event is free and open to the community.
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The Community First Champion Center
Jeremiah Hoffman, Director of Business Development for The Community First Champion Center in Appleton joins Amanda Sharon to talk about the center. The non-profit center hosts local, regional and national groups for sporting events like basketball, volleyball and hockey games. Jeremiah Hoffman outlines how a large facility like The Community First Champion Center benefits the community by providing a space for the community’s youth and tourism dollars for the community.
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Goodwill North Central Wisconsin
Amanda Sharon is joined by Gabrielle Dorn, Brand Manager of Goodwill North Central Wisconsin. They speak about Goodwill’s mission to elevate people by eliminating barriers to employment through donations and their stores. They also talk about spring cleaning and some tips on staying organized during spring cleaning. More information on how to donate or shop at GoodwillNCW.org
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SAFER
Amanda Sharon speaks with Amy Flanders, Executive Director of the Sexual Assault Crisis Center of the Fox Cities and Sarah Jaschob, SAFER Program Coordinator at The Sexual Assault Crisis Center. They outline the center's new initiative and program called SAFER. The Sexual Assault Crisis Center has been providing crisis intervention service for over 40 years. They have a 24/7 hotline, support groups, advocacy and counseling for people affected by sexual violence.
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Red Kettle Season
Amanda Sharon speaks with Kristal Knudtson, Director of Development and Communications at The Salvation Army Fox Cities about Red Kettle Season and the need for bell ringers. They also talk about The Salvation Army's 11 Christmas match days and how people can donate. To be a bell ringer go to registertoring.com. Donations accepted at 920-734-3324 or online here.
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Boy and Girl Choir of Green Bay
Amanda Sharon talks with two guests from GB Choir, Danielle Andrews Executive Director of Administration and Pamela Heiser, Executive Director of Musical Operations. GB Choir operates the Boy and Girl Choir of Green Bay. They outline their upcoming online auction which will raise money for the choirs and how kids can sing with the choir.
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World Polio Day
World Polio Day is October 24th. Amanda Sharon talks with two guests from the Rotary Club about the Rotary Polio project. Amanda speaks with John Wiley, an Appleton Breakfast Rotarian and the author of Build Character, Shape Lives a book released last summer and
Kristopher Ulrich, the President of Rotary Club of Neenah. They speak about how Polio is almost eradicated in the world today and what Rotary has done to combat Polio worldwide. |
Boys and Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley
Amanda Sharon talks with Greg Lemke Rochon, CEO of The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley. They talk about how The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley are working to carry out their mission during this past year. Greg Lemke Rochon also outlines their upcoming virtual event Vintage in the Valley on November 7th.
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Fox Valley Literacy
Amanda Sharon speaks with Brian Leone Tracy, Executive Director of Fox Valley Literacy. He outlines the programs that Fox Valley Literacy offers, including their tutoring program. Fox Valley Literacy is holding a virtual event October 15th called "Faces of Literacy." More information on how to volunteer or about the event available at the link below.
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Sunrise on Main Boutique
Amanda Sharon speaks with Joan Johnson, Founder and Executive Director of Reset.Life and owner of Sunrise on Main Boutique. Sunrise on Main Boutique is an upscale women's clothing shop that funds the non-profit Reset.Life, helping women press the reset button. They have many different programs aimed at helping women that are going through a personal or professional transition and need help navigating those changes.
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US Venture Open
Amanda Sharon talks with Greg Vandenberg, Director of Giving and Community Engagement at US Venture. They talk about how the US Venture Open is changing this year and becoming a virtual event but still serving the community and working to end poverty in Northeast Wisconsin.
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Fox Wolf Watershed Alliance
Amanda Sharon speaks with Kelly Reyer, Outreach Coordinator for the Fox Wolf Watershed Alliance about the 8th Annual Fox Watershed Cleanup. There are 60 sites where volunteers help to clean up the waterways in the community. The event was rescheduled from Spring to August 22nd and Kelly Reyer outlines what they have done to make sure the clean up is a safe event. Last year the Fox Wolf Watershed clean up cleaned up over 600 bags of trash, 1700 plastic straws, 15 tires and over 1,000 plastic bags along the waterways.
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Wisconsin Humane Society
Amanda Sharon speaks with Angela Speed, Vice President of Communications for The Wisconsin Humane Society. They speak about how people can adopt even though their shelters are closed to the public at this time. Angela also speaks about how The Wisconsin Humane Society has partnered with two different food pantries in the Green Bay Area and how they are helping people to feed their pets.
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Apricity
Amanda Sharon speaks with Jolie VerVoort, President of Residential Treatment at Apricity and Michelle Devine Geisse CEO of Apricity. Apricity has a full service treatment program for men and women struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. They speak about their in-patient treatment services for people struggling with addiction. They also outline their other programs, including a program that provides work for those who are ready for that step. Apricity also has a sober living program for people who may not have the opportunity or means to go to the transitional residential part of treatment. They also speak about how they have transitioned their treatment programs to include social distancing.
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HEA No Kill Animal Shelter
Marcus and Amanda Reitz join Amanda Sharon over the phone to talk about the mission of HEA No Kill Animal Shelter. They also talk about how HEA has changed their adoption procedure during social distancing, and how people can adopt right now. They also outline their upcoming event called "Hour of Love" a virtual fundraising event with the animals on May 1st and 2nd.
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St. Vincent de Paul
Becca Merklein, Executive Director of St. Vincent de Paul speaks with Amanda Sharon in studio about what kinds of programs they offer to the community and who is eligible for assistance through St. Vincent de Paul.
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Fox Cities Victim Crisis Response Team
Emily Lewis, Executive Director of the Fox Cities Victim Crisis Response Team and Tina Jerred, Volunteer and Community Outreach Manager join Amanda Sharon. The Fox Cities Victim Crisis Response Team responds on scene with law enforcement providing supplies and resources allowing victims to feel safe, express emotion and know what to expect next. They respond to instances of domestic violence, sexual assault and any situation they are called upon.
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Zoological Society of Kewaunee County
Brad Coenen, Treasurer of the Zoological Society of Kewaunee County which operates The Bruemmer Park Zoo, joins Amanda Sharon in studio. They discuss plans for zoo expansion and new exhibits. Brad Coenen also talks about what kinds of animals live at the zoo, when the zoo is open and how people can visit. They also speak about "ZoupArt" their fundraising event centered around art and soup tasting taking place February 23rd 2020.
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Volunteer Center of Brown County
Eric Sponholtz, Executive Director of the Volunteer Center of Brown County joins host Amanda Sharon in studio to talk about what the Volunteer Center does and what kinds of volunteering opportunities are available for people in the community. This year the center was the recipient offunds from Doctors in Recital. Nominations are also open for their annual WPS Volunteer Awards breakfast, to be held April 23rd. Anyone who knows of a deserving volunteer to be recognized, can nominate them for an award at Volunteergb.org
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Hazelwood's Ethnic Holiday
Brooke Uhl , volunteer coordinator and Program Manager at Hazelwood Historic House in Green bay joins Amanda Sharon in studio. They discuss The Brown County Historical Society and Hazelwood's Ethnic Holiday. Hazelwood's Ethnic Holiday takes place at Hazelwood Historic House in Green Bay. The Ethnic Holiday features a self guided walking tour of each room in the house decorated by different ethnic groups. The event will include music and ethnic foods and takes place on December 7th and 14th from 11am to 7pm.
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Civic Symphony of Green Bay
Paul Grall Board President of the Civic Symphony of Green Bay and Music Director and Conductor Seong-Kyung Graham for the Symphony join Amanda Sharon in studio to talk about their 2019/2020 concert season. They outline their upcoming concert on November 15th in Green Bay. The Civic Symphony of Green Bay is celebrating their 25th Anniversary this year.
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Advances in Lymphedema Care 2019
Jennifer Edmonson and Teresa Iattoni join Amanda Sharon in studio to talk about the Advances in Lymphedema Care 2019 conference taking place on November 23rd at the Fox Valley Tech in Appleton. Jennifer Edmonson is the founder of Health, Education and Welfare the non-profit that has organized the conference. Teresa Iattoni is a certified Lymphedema Specialist and one of the speakers at this years conference. The conference is the fundraiser for Health, Education and Welfare's Compression Garment Fund, Wisconsin’s first and only financial aid fund assisting Lymphedema patients to obtain their medically necessary compression garments. More information can be found at https://hew2019.eventbrite.com or https://www.facebook.com/HealthEducationAndWelfareWI/
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Golden House
Amanda Gay, Communications and Special Event Coordinator at Golden House joins host Amanda Sharon in studio. Golden House is the only domestic violence agency in Green Bay. The agency has counseling programs, support groups, assists with re-housing and is an emergency shelter for men, women and children in Brown County. They have an event coming up called "Show of Strength" on October 29th featuring cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and keynote speaker Lesley Morgan Steiner. She will speak about her experience as a victim of domestic violence despite being an affluent ivy league graduate.
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Foundations Health and Wholeness
Kelly Nutty Director of Development at Foundations Health and Wholeness joins host Amanda Sharon in studio. They discuss the mental health services that Foundations Health and Wholeness provides for the community as well as their adoption services. Kelly Nutty also outlines their upcoming event. The 2019 Ethics Awards Luncheon.
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Seymour Park Neighborhood Gardens
Amanda Sharon talks with Josh Kufahl who helps run Seymour Park Neighborhood Gardens a community garden in Green Bay. Seymour Park Neighborhood Gardens is run by the community and produces fruit and vegetables for neighbors and community members to eat and cook. Some of the foods the gardens grow include cucumbers, peppers, garlic, berries, herbs and more.
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Healing with Hope
Jennifer Edmonson, Founder and Director of the non-profit Health Education and Welfare joins Amanda Sharon in studio to talk about her new program called Healing with Hope. The program is a 4 week pilot program through Healing through the Arts. Knitting with Hope will combine arts instruction on knitting and emotional and mental health exercises to help people who have had medical trauma or crisis heal through the arts.
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Rise Up at the Oshkosh Area School District
Amanda Sharon talks with Matt Kaemmerer Director of Pupil Services at the Oshkosh Area School District, Ashley Strunk of Catalpa Health and Jen Parsons Wellness Screen Program Director at Samaritan Counseling Center of the Fox Valley. They highlight a program called Rise Up, a school-based comprehensive mental health framework. The program is backed by a grant given by the Basic Needs Giving Partnership from funds raised from the U.S. Venture Open.
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The Pillars Day Resource Center
Tricia Raimondi, The Pillars Day Resource Center Program Manager joins Amanda Sharon in studio to discuss how The Resource Center serves the community and works to help individuals experiencing homelessness. Pillars is one of the area's non profit organizations that has received a grant from funds raised from the U.S. Venture Open to end poverty in Northeast Wisconsin. Tricia Raimondi talks about how Pillars will use the grant money to provide basic needs and more for the community.
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Algoma School District Wolf Den
Host Amanda Sharon talks with Teal VanLanen, Director of Improvement and Community Engagement for the Algoma School District. The Algoma School district was given a grant, from funds raised from the U.S. Venture Open, to fund an after school program called Wolf Den. The program provides students with basic needs such as meals. Wolf Den also works to bring the community together by getting members of the community involved in the after school program. Students benefit from a feeling of involvement, meaning and togetherness.
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The Farmory
Host Amanda Sharon talks with Claire Thompson, Executive Director of the Farmory in Green Bay and Ken Webb Associate Researcher at UWGB. They outline what The Farmory in Green Bay does, talk about hydroponics and outline the process of aquaponics. Ken Webb also discusses the difficulty of raising perch in a contained environment and how The Farmory plans to go about it. The Farmory will also be teaching area farmers how to raise perch to sell to restaurants and grocery stores.
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History Museum at the Castle in Appleton
Host Amanda Sharon talks with Dustin Mack, Chief Curator at the History Museum at the Castle in Appleton. They speak about some of the permanent exhibits that the museum has on display as well as two temporary exhibits. "Bridging the Gap, 1969-2019" is a traveling exhibit and is aimed at bridging the gap and disconnect that many people feel today. The museum will also be displaying "GUITAR: The Instrument that Rocked the World" this summer. This is a nationally traveling exhibit that will be displayed at The History Museum at the Castle June 1st 2019 through January 5th 2020.
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Community Blood Center in Appleton
Amanda Sharon talks with John Hagin CEO of the Community Blood Center in Appleton. They speak about what The Community Blood Center does in the community in addition to collecting blood. John Hagin also talks about how to donate blood, who can donate blood and what that donation means to the community. He also outlines their high school scholarship program and the hospitals The Community Blood Center partners with.
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Veterans Mentor Group
Host Amanda Sharon speaks with Janna Nordeman from Hartland Homecare and Hospice a partnering group of the Veterans Mentor Group. They spoke about The Veterans Mentor Group and their upcoming event Connect to Courage. Connect to Courage takes place at the Appleton PAC on March 13th. Topics that will be addressed by some of the speakers include Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury in veterans. The event will be emceed by Dr. Benjamin Siebert and will include over 40 different resource organizations for veterans.
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Untitledtown Book and Author Festival
Host Amanda Sharon talks with three guests about Untitledtown Book and Author Festival taking place April 25th-28th 2019. The guests included Vicky Meawasige Reed a local author. Her book is called Path of the Turquoise Warrior. Another guest was Ashley Willis, a veteran who served in the Marines and acting Liason for this years Untitledtown and local veteran's groups. The third guest was Austin Korff, intern at Unititledtown.
Host Amanda Sharon talks with two local authors, Miranda and Baptiste Paul, about the Untitledtown Book and Author Festival
The book and author festival is an annual literary event in Green Bay, Wisconsin that promotes all aspects of book culture. The weekend includes readings, discussions, workshops and events for writers and readers. Most of the events are free and open to the public.
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Advances in Lymphedema Care Personal Empowerment 2018
Jennifer Edmonson
Health, Education & Welfare |
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Fox Cities Habitat For Humanity
ReStore 
Matthew Daniels
Habitat Restore Director Fox Cities Habitat for Humanity |
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Fox Cities Habitat For Humanity
Rock The Block 
Ryan Roth
Community Development Manager Fox Cities Habitat For Humanity |
Samaritan Counseling Center
Samaritan Counseling Center of the Fox Valley connects mind and spirit so individuals, families, organizations and communities thrive. They provide counseling services, student outreach and mental health initiatives to the community.
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Camp To Belong-Wisconsin
Connects and reunites siblings involved with the child welfare system. This includes separated siblings regardless of what their particular living arrangements are (i.e. biological home, kinship providers, foster homes, adoptive homes, living independently). Their mission is for separated siblings to build and maintain connections through a variety of programs. The main program is a summer camp at which children placed in out-of-home care can be with their biological siblings to build shared memories and connections.
CASA of the Fox Cities
CASA of the Fox Cities advocates for abused and neglected children in our local courts, with community volunteers, to achieve placement in safe and permanent homes.
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Wisconsibs
Wiconsibs connects siblings of special needs children with one another, to provide a support group of those who understand the struggles one faces when they have a sibling with special needs. Wisconsibs has helped hundreds of children, teens and adults who live each day with siblings with autism, intellectual/developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, and mental illness connect with resources and each other to help them throughout their lifelong journey.
Center Stage High School Musical Theater Awards Program
The Center Stage High School Musical Theater Awards is an education initiative that celebrates and supports the achievements of high school musical theater programs in Northeastern Wisconsin.
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91.1 THE AVENUE AND MUSIC THAT MATTERS ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF MUSIC THAT MATTERS, INC.
This web site is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area