Forward Janesville - TheReport - Third Quarter 2023

It’s been a gorgeous fall, and I’m grateful that fall’s fabric is shown by the calico leaves that blanket all the trails of our community. This edition of FJI Report is a reminder to me that our community’s fabric is strengthened by those with deep gratitude and a collaborative mindset. I recently heard a member who expressed her gratitude by sharing that she views Janesville as a Hallmark Card – what a complement to our community. She described our wonderful downtown revitalization, the thoughtful planning that went into making the Woodman’s Center a reality for kids and adults, and the Welcome-to-Janesville experience she received when she and her husband moved here. It’s what makes her want to be a part of something bigger happening here, and share her gratitude as a volunteer. Our FJ fabric includes over 50 non-profit organizations serving our community with over 100 volunteers that serve our members; in this Report, we highlight three members from our volunteer councils: Latinx Business Council, Government Relations and Ambassadors. We have a pay-it-forward culture making it hard to be anywhere in Janesville and not bump into someone who’s busy volunteering at the Farmer’s Market, Art in Place events, our schools, the holiday Jolly Jingle – and I just caught up with past CEO, John Beckord, while he was out delivering meals to senior citizens. None of our beloved community events or services would happen without support from volunteers. Giving back in our community is on its own scale, and what’s also unique is to see non-profits working together to support each other’s needs. Front and center – the annual Turkey Trot supported by Festival Foods, three local nonprofits, the YMCA of Northern Rock County, Boys & Girls Club, and ECHO, coming together to support the needs of our community. This event welcomes walkers, joggers, doggies, and kiddos, and Janesville delivers year over year with many volunteers like you. I encourage you to get your gobble-on and trot down to the BHCCU Festival Street this Thanksgiving morning. If you don’t trot, you can also volunteer to help the trotters – either way you’ll be welcome! Another giveback is the annual Bags of Hope organized by the School District of Janesville (SDJ). Delivering Bags of Hope is a food distribution event that provides two weeks’ worth of groceries for 350 of SDJ's neediest families over the winter break when school is not in session (when children cannot rely on school meals), and also to 50 Janesville senior citizens. On December 16, ~250 volunteers will sort, bag, and deliver groceries to receiving families. Members and giving partners, Festival Foods, Kwik Trip, and Seneca Foods, provide grocery items, and the Dollar General distribution center provides toiletry items and a warehouse facility for the bagging event to take place. Lastly, this FJI Report highlights one small business that’s given birds from Janesville an internationally-recognized name; MacFarland Pheasants. Owner Bill MacFarlane learned about raising pheasant chicks from his late father Don. It was Don who also taught Bill about giving back. Don was a community leader serving on the Rock County Board of Supervisors and actively engaged in Habitat for Humanity work. He also taught Bill that the land was not his land; and that is still the caretaker’s mantra. I hope to see many of you out this fall at events, whether it’s trotting or packing Bags of Hope. With your support, our community fabric grows stronger. With much gratitude, The Fabric that Holds the Community Together 4 | FORWARD JANESVILLE Angela Pakes, P.E. President & CEO Forward Janesville .