Banks and credit unions in the area are seeing an uptick in spoofed calls pretending to be financial institutions. If you think you may be a victim, please hang up and call your financial institution back directly.
Federal paper checks end September 30th. If you still receive Social Security, Veterans benefits, or other federal payments by mail, you'll need to switch to direct deposit or a prepaid card before the deadline. Learn more here.
In the heart of Cross Plains, Northwest Dane Senior Services (NWDSS) has been shaping the lives of older adults for over 50 years. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit is more than just a service provider—it's a lifeline for seniors and their families, offering programs that foster well-being, independence, and community connection. Since March 2013, Paulette Glunn has served as Executive Director of NWDSS. We sat down with Paulette to learn more about the mission, impact, and future of this vital organization.
Making Cross Plains Home
The milestone they are most proud of is making the move from the lower level of the Black Earth Veterinary Clinic to Cross Plains. In March 2015, they purchased their building at 1837 Bourbon Road. Then in 2019, they acquired the other half of the building at 1841 Bourbon Road. This expansion allowed them to broaden their services significantly—in May 2015, they opened their Adult Day Program, which has since assisted 85 clients and families with respite during challenging journeys.
In 2019, they opened their Sunny Seconds Thrift Shop, where all are welcome to shop or donate unwanted items. Staffed primarily by volunteers, all proceeds from the thrift shop support NWDSS directly. The shop has been well-received by the community and serves as a popular destination for donations.
Services That Make a Difference
NWDSS offers an extensive range of programs including the Adult Day Program, case management, nutrition services (Meals on Wheels), wellness programs, transportation coordination, Sunny Seconds Thrift Shop, foot care, salon services, Cycling Without Age, Pet Program, volunteer opportunities, group travel, intergenerational programming, partnership with the Village of Cross Plains, "The Club," and their newest addition this fall—Caring Connections.
The Adult Day Program provides numerous benefits: respite for caregivers, social interaction and outings, engaging activities including exercise, individualized care plans, and medication management. These services are available during the work week from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Their newest program, Caring Connections, launches this fall with the goal of bringing people together through socialization, education, and support. This initiative includes in-home social visits, caregiver education classes, support groups, respite opportunities, and pet support for animals when their owners are hospitalized or in rehabilitation.
It Takes A Village: Supporting NWDSS Through Service
and Giving
One of their primary challenges has been securing adequate and sustainable funding amid fierce competition among nonprofits during recent economic uncertainty. They supplement their funding through grants, donations, and proceeds from their Sunny Seconds Thrift Shop. Another challenge is operating with limited staffing—wanting to keep the majority of their funds dedicated to programs, they rely heavily on dedicated volunteers.
NWDSS is always seeking volunteers. They have seen increased demand for medical transportation and connect volunteers to RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) and Meals on Wheels drivers. Additional volunteer opportunities include helping at the thrift store, where donations arrive constantly and new shoppers always need assistance. Other meaningful volunteer roles include front desk support, Adult Day Program assistance, or simply reaching out to older adults in need of socialization.
Building a Brighter Future
When Paulette started, she connected with Park Bank's own Judy Ketelboeter, who has become a strong advocate for their services. Paulette notes that Judy understands their operations and challenges and consistently works to assist them and enhance their overall efficiency.
One of their key goals is ensuring individuals know about their services before a crisis occurs and understand how many can benefit—whether it's a family member, neighbor, friend, or stranger in need. They also hope to rent out their kitchen space so more community members can utilize the facility. They are looking forward to their upcoming fundraiser, Dine on Harvest Moon, on Thursday, October 9. Attendees can expect food, drinks, bingo, live music, and a silent auction featuring handmade items from some of the seniors they serve. Tickets are now available.
Looking ahead, Paulette hopes NWDSS will continue focusing on its core mission to serve their communities. This involves strategic planning and fostering a sustainable environment through fundraising, volunteerism, advocacy, and partnerships.
To provide you with the best possible online experience, we sometimes partner with other organizations we trust. We refer to these organizations as "third-party vendors". Each of these vendors is required to provide us with proof they follow our stringent security protocols as a condition of our partnership. Although we perform due diligence of our vendors prior to signing agreements for their services, when you leave our website, we can not certify the privacy and security of the sites you are entering, and the content within the third-party site is solely the responsibility of the site's owner. If you have any concerns about continuing online with your request, please feel free to schedule an appointment to meet with us in person.
Park Bank