Wolf River Community Bank Announces Over $25,000 in Community Donations
Featuring $10,000 Contributions to New London Public Library and High School Fitness Center and over $5,000 in Employee-Driven Donations through New Giving Program
Wolf River Community Bank is proud to announce its commitment to supporting community initiatives with more than $25,000 in donations going out in December, marking a strong finish to the year. This includes $10,000 for both the New London Public Library Building Project and the Randy Marsh Strength & Conditioning Center Renovation at New London High School. Additionally, over $5,000 was contributed on behalf of Wolf River Community Bank staff members through the bank’s new employee-driven giving initiative, which empowers staff to support causes that are important to them.
These contributions are part of the nearly $100,000 in sponsorships and donations that Wolf River Community Bank gives annually to strengthen and support its communities. This commitment underscores the bank’s dedication to fostering growth, opportunity, and meaningful connections. As the bank’s philosophy goes, “When we do well, we can do good!”
Conner Klein and Julia Treadwell, employees of Wolf River Community Bank, share the local charities they supported through the bank’s Wolfpack Give Back Program. This new initiative empowers employees to direct donations to organizations close to their hearts, with contributions made by the bank in their honor.
New Employee-Driven Donation Initiative: The Wolfpack Give Back Program
The bank’s first end-of-year employee giving program was launched in late 2024. The Wolfpack Give Back Program is a new initiative empowering each employee to designate $100 of bank funds to a local organization that holds a special place in their hearts. This program encourages staff to celebrate the bank’s success by supporting worthy causes that are important to them. In its first year, the bank donated a total of $5,200 to 38 local organizations on behalf of each bank employee.
Employees shared their reasons for choosing charities, with many stating a personal connection. Julia Treadwell, Universal Banker for Wolf River Community Bank noted, “My sister, Carly, is a Prevention Specialist for Vivent Health in Appleton. She is a recovering heroin addict who found her way to sobriety and completely transformed her life. Today, she gives back through her work at Vivent, where she draws on her own experience to educate individuals, schools, and local law enforcement on harm reduction and safe prevention practices, including how to administer Narcan/Naloxone.” Treadwell added, “Addiction knows no bounds—it can take hold of anyone and lead to a fast, downward spiral. Vivent provides support without judgment or stigma, ensuring that those in need have access to life-saving tools and the hope to make it through another day.”
Conner Klein, Credit Analyst, shared, “CP, Inc. provides day services and therapy for individuals with physical, cognitive, developmental, and sensory conditions. My brother, who has cerebral palsy, has benefited from CP’s programs for many years, including summer programs as a child and day services as an adult. These services offer enriching opportunities that my family can’t provide every day. CP helps my brother socialize, participate in activities like Music & Movement and Gardening, and receive essential therapy. I support CP for the positive impact it has on my brother and other families, offering both care and relief to caregivers.”
Letters were sent after the first of the year to the recipient organizations, expressing gratitude and sharing the donation details. The full list of charities supported through the program includes:
- American Cancer Society of Wisconsin
- American Heart Association
- Appleton Community Music, Inc.
- Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley/BGC of Highlands Elementary School
- CAYA Clinic
- Clintonville Area Swim Team
- Community Clothes Closet, CP, Inc.
- Empowered Tutoring
- Fox Valley Humane Association
- Fox Valley Memory Project
- Greenville Civic Club
- Happily Ever After Animal Sanctuary
- Heads Up Fox Cities
- Hope Clinic and Care Center
- Hortonville Community Food Pantry
- Hortonville Elementary School PTO
- Humane Society of Waupaca County
- Jake’s Network of Hope
- Junior Achievement of Wisconsin
- Mosquito Hill Nature Center
- NAMI Fox Valley Inc.
- National Brain Tumor Society
- National MS Society
- New London High School Softball Program
- Old Glory Honor Flight
- Orphan Animal Rescue & Sanctuary
- Pillars
- Readfield Elementary School PTO
- Shawano County Humane Society
- Shiocton Steps for Suicide Awareness
- St Peter and Paul Church
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
- Town of Dale Fire and Rescue
- Vivent Health Appleton
- Washington Center Community Cupboard
- Wreaths Across America
The Wolfpack Give Back program is a reflection of the bank’s core values, demonstrating a commitment to both community support and valuing and empowering their dedicated team members. Joe Peikert, CEO of Wolf River Community Bank, said, “I’m both excited and humbled by the response we received from our employees for the Wolfpack Give Back program. Their thoughtful contributions reflect the care they have for their communities, and I’m proud to see so many organizations benefit from our shared success.”
Wolf River Community Bank presents a $10,000 check to support the New London Public Library Building Project, a key initiative aimed at enhancing community learning and engagement. Back row (left to right): Steve Hart, President of the New London Library/Museum Board; Ann Hunt, Director of the New London Public Library; and Joe Peikert, CEO of Wolf River Community Bank. Front row (left to right): Virginia Schlais, Chairperson of the Fundraising Committee; Karen Duch, VP- Lending Officer of Wolf River Community Bank; and Connie Zolkoske, Fundraising Committee Member & President of the Friends of the New London Library.
$10,000 Donation to New London Public Library Building Project
Wolf River Community Bank recently donated $10,000 to the New London Public Library Building Project. This initiative will create a modern space that will enhance learning and community engagement. The remodeled facility will include youth and adult services, a wellness room, an interactive play area for children, a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) area, an industrial space with equipment like CNC machines and laser cutters, a teen space, a video room with a green screen, a music room, additional computers, small meeting rooms for study groups and tutoring, and a community meeting room with a commercial kitchen. Alongside the bank’s contribution and many other charitable donations, the City of New London received a $3,900,000 grant from the State of Wisconsin to support this transformative library project.
The New London Public Library will relocate to a spacious 26,000-square-foot, two-story building on North Water Street. This library’s capital campaign will support the development of a unified space, bringing together the current library’s offerings and the much-needed technology spaces that have been in the planning stages for the past few years. The building will be renovated to accommodate the library’s needs. The museum, currently located on the library’s lower level, will move upstairs to occupy the entire building, enhancing the overall visitor experience.
Ann Hunt, Director of the New London Public Library, said, “This generous donation from Wolf River Community Bank brings us closer to creating a space where learning, creativity, and community can thrive together. We’re incredibly grateful for their support, for the grant from the state, and for the donations from local individuals, businesses, and organizations that are helping to make this vision a reality.”
Wolf River Community Bank is proud to contribute $10,000 to the Randy Marsh Strength & Conditioning Center Renovation Project at New London High School. Pictured at the donation presentation: Back row (left to right): Philip Sloma, Associate Principal / Activities Director for New London High School; Amanda Hayden, Treasury Management Officer for Wolf River Community Bank; Brian Yerkey, New London High School Principal; Joe Peikert, CEO of Wolf River Community Bank. Front row (left to right): Karen Duch, VP- Lending Officer of Wolf River Community Bank and Amber Yerkey, Physical Education Teacher at New London High School.
$10,000 Donation to Randy Marsh Strength & Conditioning Center Renovation Project at New London High School
Additionally, Wolf River Community Bank contributed to another New London initiative – a $10,000 donation to the Randy Marsh Strength & Conditioning Center Renovation Project at New London High School. Named in honor of Randy Marsh—a dedicated coach, teacher, and administrator who impacted countless students—this project will transform the outdated fitness center into a state-of-the-art facility, fostering health, strength, safety, and accessibility for all students.
Rendering of the newly envisioned Randy Marsh Strength & Conditioning Center at New London High School, set to undergo a major renovation, creating a state-of-the-art fitness space for students.
“Our sincere thanks to Wolf River Community Bank for their generous monetary commitment to support the School District of New London’s vision to enhance our high school strength and conditioning center,” said Scott Bleck, New London School District Administrator. “Their investment will help transform an outdated facility into a modern, state-of-the-art space that meets the evolving needs of our students and student-athletes. We are truly grateful for their generosity and dedication to the growth and well-being of our school community. Their support will make a lasting impact on our students for years to come.”
Joe Peikert continued, “At Wolf River Community Bank, we’re incredibly grateful to be able to invest in our communities. Our success is a direct reflection of the trust our communities place in us as their bank, and when we achieve strong financial results, we see it as our responsibility to give back. We hope these donations help fuel the extraordinary missions of these deserving organizations, and that, through our support, we can create lasting, positive change in the lives of those they serve. It’s a privilege to help build stronger, more vibrant communities for all.”
If you would like to support the New London Library or High School Fitness Center projects, donations can be made directly on the school’s website for the fitness center renovation and on the library’s website for the building project.
