Marshfield Area United Way 2009 Drive Chairs

Ginny and Joe Mazza have made a career of helping others, and the lessons they’ve learned in service extend far beyond the workplace and classroom.

This year they will bring this passion to the role of Marshfield Area Drive Chairs in the annual fundraising campaign.  “My life has been dedicated to helping others,” Joe said. However, he said in this stage of life, his service is more community focused rather than career driven as a physician.

The Mazzas came to central Wisconsin 40 years ago when the Marshfield Clinic courted Mazza away from the Mayo Clinic.  Dr. Mazza moved to Marshfield with his wife Ginny and four young children.

 Dr. Mazza retired from full time practice three years ago and transitioned to part time work researching and consulting.  Ginny was a pediatric nurse for eight years and taught at MidState Technical College for a decade.  Both have a long history of volunteering and advocating for their community.

“Throughout our lives, we’ve been involved in one thing or another, whether it’s been the scouts, our church or our children’s school,” Ginny said.

This year, as residents continue to face hardship because of economic challenges, the Mazzas will advocate for the support of 37 programs through contributions to the United Way campaign. Marshfield Area United Way’s focus is to advance the common good by providing the building blocks everyone needs to live a good life. 

Few areas of central Wisconsin have been spared by the slow down, and everyone is feeling the strain for tightening budgets.

The increased cost of living adds another burden for people in our community who were already struggling.  United Way programs help provide for resident’s basic needs of food, clothing and shelter.  They support and advocate for victims of domestic violence and help our aging population maintain their independence.

“It’s easy to give when times are good, but it’s important to give when our community is facing challenges,” said Ginny.

The Marshfield area is a very generous community, proven year after year.  “It’s hard to know how to approach someone who doesn’t feel that responsibility to give back—except to say that if you could give to only one organization, the biggest impact you can make with your money is to give to United Way,” said Joe.

Contributions to the campaign fund programs that work with all age ranges from the very young to the very old.  Programs work to prepare youth for success in school and life, give people the tools to become financially stable and improve the health and well being of all residents.

Joe is a member of the Lawton Society, a member of the YMCA board, chairman of the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign in 2007 and former Director of Medical Education at Marshfield Clinic.

Ginny is current president of Habit for Humanity and has been an active participant in Rotary Winter Wonderland, Noon Rotary and Partners with Saint Joseph’s Hospital.