August 28, 2024 – West Bend, Wi – There was a common theme during the presentation of the 2024 Cliff and Betty Nelson Volunteer Leadership Award. The event hosted by the United Way of Washington County was held at the Museum of Wisconsin Art. Peter Ziegler was honored to introduce Claire Rolfs as this year’s recipient. Classmates since kindergarten at McLane School, Ziegler spoke about Rolfs philanthropy and how it touched many avenues from education to environment, the elderly and the arts.
“It’s really been fun to watch Claire never forget her roots,” said Ziegler. “She’s given back tremendously to this community, she bought her grandfather’s home, and she could have sat back and wrote checks to her favorite causes but that’s not Clair, she likes to really be involved, and she has been more than involved we.
“We often hear the overwork term giving of your time, talent, and treasure and that really embodies Claire. Her give back touches all walks of life in Washington County from the environment to the elderly to the youth to education and building the Arts.”
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Janet Nelson attended the event with her siblings and said Claire embodied the same message her parents, Cliff and Betty, lived.
“It warms my heart so much to see and hear locals coming back to ‘roost.’ My mom moved to West Bend when she was 2 years old and stayed there while nearing her 101st birthday. That truly says something about a community, about West Bend. The fact Claire Rolfs left West Bend and came back after all these years to spearhead all that she spearheads really says something about West Bend. It was both my mom and dad’s footsteps that SHE is following in,” said Janet Nelson.
Prudy Pick Hway has had strong ties with the United Way of Washington County, the Nelson family, and Rolfs. She said her friend deserved the award because she really showed people who bemoan the “brain drain” in West Bend, what can happen when people choose to return to the community.
“The complaints about when kids go off to college and they don’t come home. Maybe Claire didn’t come home right after college. Neither did I. But when we came back, we came back with tremendous experience and more money and a commitment to the community we love,” said Pick Hway. “Because we’ve lived elsewhere, we know the difference, and we know how special this community is.
“Claire has thrown herself in and made a difference in women’s health, the arts, the museum, the threshold, all organizations. It’s a testament to the fact that we do come home, we do come back to this community, and it may not be right out of college, but boy, when we do, you’ll know we’re here.”
During her acceptance speech, Rolfs was brief. “I just want to say thank you. I have the very best job in the world, and I came from the very best community in the world. I just want to say thank you to the West Bend family. So, thank you.”
The event also recognized Sandie Giernoth with the first Kevin Steiner Emerging Leader Award. Giernoth is one of the founding members and served as co-chair of the Emerging Leaders program.
August 26, 2024 – West Bend, WI – At the annual Leaders in Giving event, United Way of Washington County presented the Clifford A. & Elizabeth M. Nelson Volunteer Leadership Award to Claire Rolfs and the inaugural Kevin Steiner Emerging Leader Award to Sandie Giernoth.
Clifford A. & Elizabeth M. Nelson Volunteer Leadership Award
United Way’s Nelson Volunteer Leadership Award was created to recognize an individual in Washington County who has demonstrated community leadership and a long-term commitment to volunteering.
The award is named in honor of the late Cliff and Betty Nelson, who are known for their outstanding volunteer efforts on behalf of human service, civic, and arts organizations. Each year, past Nelson Award winners nominate and select a new recipient.
At this year’s event, Claire Rolfs was honored with this prestigious life-time achievement award. Rolfs has contributed and volunteered for a number of local nonprofits. Nominator and past award recipient, Peter Ziegler said, “Since moving back into our community, Claire has totally immersed herself in public service.” Key highlights of her service include:
- Current Chair of the West Bend Community Foundation
- Board member of MOWA
- Chair of the Threshold Foundation
- Board member of the Albrecht Free Clinic – instrumental in affiliation with Lakeshore
- Board member of Family Promise
- A driver in greening of Downtown West Bend
- Key player in protecting the Washington County Golf Course in perpetuity
- Chair of Rolfs Education Foundation
In addition, she and her family foundation have contributed generously to many of the above organizations and many more projects in West Bend.
“Each year, it is an honor to recognize the best of our community,” said Kristin Brandner, CEO of United Way of Washington County. “Claire has supported a wide range of nonprofits and has made a profound impact with her time and support. We recognize Claire’s legacy for her commitment to our local community.”
Kevin Steiner Emerging Leader Award
United Way’s Kevin Steiner Emerging Leader Award was created to recognize an individual who has demonstrated leadership and made a profound impact on growing the Emerging Leaders program. The award is named in honor of Kevin Steiner, the founder of the Emerging Leaders group, which started in 2017 when he served his first term as United Way campaign chair. Kevin saw a need to grow the next generation of leaders in our community.
United Way’s Emerging Leaders is a team of professionals who actively invest their time, talent and resources to improve our community. Their mission is to ignite and inspire one another by providing opportunities to lead, serve and grow.
Sandie Giernoth was honored with this award and is the first recipient. She is one of the founding members and served as co-chair of the Emerging Leaders program.
She helped develop, shape and launch the program. “Without Sandie’s drive and passion, I’m not sure we could have successfully launched the Emerging Leaders Program. Her leadership and dedication was second to none and our community is beyond lucky to have her making such an impact,” said Dominic Ladd, co-founder of the Emerging Leaders program.
“Sandie rolled up her sleeves and put the work in to lay a solid foundation for this program to grow. She was an integral contributor to the program’s success to date. She also serves as inspiration as her volunteer leadership roles evolved and continue to deepen. Now, she serves as United Way’s board president,” said Brandner.
United Way’s Leadership Event is the first of the 2024 campaign season, which officially kicks off in September. United Way raises and distributes funds to support local programs that measurably improve residents’ education, financial stability, and health.
Click HERE to view a message from the 2024 campaign chair team.
About United Way of Washington County
Our mission is to improve lives and community conditions in measurable and lasting ways. United Way is a volunteer-driven organization that serves all communities in Washington County. It is governed by a board of community volunteers, dedicated to providing funding and community resources for health and human service needs in the areas of Education, Financial Stability, and Health.
