Oshkosh Area Community Foundation

05/29/2026

Thrilled to see the Remarkable van in action! 🚐🌟

Remarkable, Inc.’s new wheelchair-accessible van is already helping open doors to greater connection, enrichment, and opportunity. Transportation can be a major barrier to community access, but thanks to generous support from the 𝘉𝘰𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥 at your Community Foundation, more youth and adults will be able to participate fully in community life.

This much-needed vehicle will support Remarkable’s Day Service and Youth Service programs, making it easier for participants to explore farms, museums, zoos, parks, and nature preserves, and volunteer with local nonprofits.

Most importantly, this van helps remove a barrier to belonging, ensuring more individuals can participate, connect, and thrive alongside their peers. 💙

05/28/2026

Good nutrition does more than fill a plate. It helps older adults stay healthy, independent, and connected. 🍽️💚

Thanks to the generosity of donors to the 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘓𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘉𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘤 𝘕𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥, Green Lake County Aging and Disability Resource Center received a grant to purchase food warmers, insulated delivery bags, hand trucks, and food packaging supplies to support its Home Delivered Meals Program—helping deliver meals safely to more than 100 homebound seniors across Green Lake County.

This important program provides more than nourishment. Meal deliveries also offer a friendly check-in and wellness connection for seniors who may otherwise face barriers to healthy food and social interaction.

To the donors who make grants like this possible, thank you for helping older adults in our community remain safe, healthy, and cared for. 💚

05/27/2026

3️⃣ days and counting until the CARRnival for Kids on Saturday, 5/30, at Father Carr's Place 2B. This free carnival, which runs from 10:00am - 4:00pm, is supported by your Community Foundation. 🎈

05/26/2026

During Mental Health Awareness Month, we’re grateful to share another powerful story from Catalpa Health —this time from a parent’s perspective. 💚

“A parent’s worst fear is when they don’t know what to do with their child. They recognize that their child is struggling, but they can’t be that person that their child needs.”

In this video, Laura shares insight, honesty, and encouragement for families navigating a child’s mental health journey. Her story is a reminder that asking for help is a sign of strength and that support can make a meaningful difference for both children and their families.

This video was made possible through the Digital Marketing Grant Program at your Community Foundation. Catalpa Health is one of nine nonprofits to date that have received professional consulting support through the program, which helps organizations strengthen their outreach and connect with the community through thoughtful, engaging digital content.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

05/25/2026

In observance of Memorial Day, the Community Foundation office will be closed on Monday, May 25. We will resume regular hours on Tuesday, May 26.

Today, we honor and remember the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. We invite you to take a moment to reflect on their courage and dedication.

Wishing everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

📸 Jim Koepnick

05/23/2026

Loving all of the smiles! 😀 Thanks again to the 𝘞𝘏𝘞 𝘖𝘴𝘩𝘬𝘰𝘴𝘩 𝘉’𝘎𝘰𝘴𝘩 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥 for making this possible.

05/22/2026

A place to call home means more than just a place to live. It’s connection, belonging, and people who care for one another. 🏡

For Bill Wyman, our President & CEO, his connection to this community runs deep. It’s the place that shaped him, where his family’s roots span generations, and where he’s proud to see the next generation building their lives as well.

That’s what this year’s Impact Report is all about: the power of caring for the place we call home and the many ways generosity helps strengthen our communities.

As Bill shares in his opening letter, “When we take care of our community, we’re taking care of each other.”

We invite you to explore our 2026 Impact Report and see how, together, we’re helping keep this a place we’re proud to call home. 💚

🔗 https://www.oshkoshareacf.org/community-reports/

05/21/2026

Healthy Smiles Matter 🦷💙 At Emmeline Cook Elementary School, school staff were seeing a troubling pattern: children coming to the office in pain because untreated dental issues were affecting their health, comfort, and ability to focus in class.

Thanks to a $20,000 grant from the 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥 at your Community Foundation, students were able to receive the dental care they needed through Tri-County Dental Clinic’s Robert Glass Focus on the Children program.

School staff have already seen the difference, with fewer visits to the nurse for dental pain and students more engaged in class and school activities. As Principal Michael Ruhl shared, “It’s wonderful to see students leave with a smile and a sense of confidence about their dental health.”

To the donors who support the 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘐𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥, thank you for helping local children grow up healthy, confident, and ready to succeed.

📸: Principal Ruhl and Lavel after his dental hygiene appointment

05/20/2026

All aboard! 🚂 Join us this Saturday, May 23, at 9:30 a.m. as we celebrate the official ribbon-cutting and grand opening of the brand-new Menominee Park Train made possible through the generosity of the 𝘞𝘏𝘞 𝘖𝘴𝘩𝘬𝘰𝘴𝘩 𝘉’𝘎𝘰𝘴𝘩 𝘍𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥 within the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. ❤️

This new trackless train will travel along existing paths in Menominee Park, offering a 15-minute ride complete with a historic tour guide sharing stories and landmarks along the way.

It replaces the beloved 40+ year-old train, which was retired after sustainable funding for continued operation was no longer possible. We’re proud to help bring this new chapter to life for families and visitors to enjoy for years to come.

📍 Train Depot: Just outside the Menominee Park Zoo entrance, across from the Community Playground

🎟️ Train rides:
$3 per rider or $25 for a 10-ride punch card
Rides depart every 20 minutes from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

🎉 Opening Day fun includes:
• Zoo open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Lakefly Café open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Face painting by Whimbubble Studio (10 a.m. – noon)
• Red Robin & Wisconsin Herd mascots (11 a.m. – noon)
• Parker John’s BBQ & Pizza samples (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
• Gibobary Food Trailer serving sweet treats and snacks throughout the day

We’re proud to help bring this new experience to our community and can’t wait to celebrate with you. See you at the depot!

05/17/2026

Celebrate National Black Bear Day at the Zoo! 🐻 Visit the Menominee Park Zoo on Wednesday, June 10, for a day full of free family fun and hands-on learning,!

Schedule Highlights:
• 10 a.m. – Wildlife Wednesday featuring animal ambassadors from the NEW Zoo
• 10 a.m.–1 p.m. – Face painting
• 11 a.m. + 1:30 p.m. – Black Bear Keeper Chats
• 11 a.m.–1 p.m. – “Bear-y Cool Bear Craft” with guest artist Deb Konen
• 12–1 p.m. – Story time with Oshkosh Public Library
• 12:30–1 p.m. – Make-your-own paw print keepsake

This free community event is funded in part through the 𝘞𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘦𝘣𝘢𝘨𝘰 𝘈𝘶𝘥𝘶𝘣𝘰𝘯 𝘌𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘍𝘶𝘯𝘥 at your Community Foundation, helping expand access to educational experiences that inspire curiosity, creativity, and a deeper connection to wildlife and conservation.

Be sure to stop by the Zoo’s Black Bear Exhibit to say hi to Mr. Reeves! Part of the North Highlands Forest habitat area introduced in 2024, the exhibit was made possible through the generosity of Tom and Penny Harenburg. Through their fund at the Community Foundation, they also help keep Zoo admission free for everyone to enjoy.