Editor’s note: This feature at Wausau Pilot and Review highlights volunteer efforts in the Wausau area. For more information or consideration for a future spotlight, email [email protected].
Name: Dave Eisenreich
Every day is different for Dave Eisenreich. Aside from family and personal activities, he has always found time to serve his community. On any given day, if you followed him around, you would find him doing everything from discussing policy, registering Turkey Trot runners, driving a truck or delivering eggs.
As a child, he learned a strong work ethic and the need to stay busy and active, mentally and physically. He worked at a grocery store, delivered newspapers and did any type of odd job. This prepared him to put effort and care into whatever came his way.
After moving to the area in 1980, Dave found that aside from work responsibilities, he found great satisfaction in board and committee membership. He prefers to be in the background, making a difference in indirect positive ways. This is true of the work he has done through the years as he was involved in the Wausau Aspirus Board, North Central Health Care Planning Board, the YMCA Board, Holz/Krause Group ( soccer complex group ), and working at the Habitat for Humanity store on Saturdays.
His desire to help those who are trying, but have experienced roadblocks in life, has continued into his retirement years. The past 10 years he has been the chair of the United Way Hunger Coalition, and he is currently serving on the Ascension board, the Everest Police Commission, the YMCA Landing advisory committee, and even the Early Morning Rotary Club.
Qualities of leadership and being an influential thinker on boards characterize Dave, but also he is proud of his tangible and practical volunteer roles as well. He has just delivered his 10,000th dozen eggs to the rural food pantries for the Rotary Club. The rural pantries find that poverty is prevalent and they do not have the resources to get fresh eggs and other items as easily. Clients have more difficulty getting to the pantries in rural areas. And all this makes Dave pleased to fill his car to the max, with 255 dozen eggs, for each delivery, to provide that luxury to rural pantry goers.
Dave’s advice is to “Just do it.” He said, “Find an area of interest; take some small step.” He admitted that often the first step is the most difficult. So he suggests just trying some volunteer activity for one hour or one day and then be done. Think about it, maybe try that again, or something else. “Just jump in to the extent that you can,” he said. “Just do something. It’s never too small.”
Source: United Way of Marathon County
