Blog / Weidner Cares! Enhancing Shepherds College Through In-Kind Support
In-kind, or non-cash, giving plays a crucial role in the growth and success of Shepherds College, allowing us to enhance our campus and student experience without straining our financial resources. Donations of goods, services, or expertise directly support our mission, creating an impact that extends far beyond traditional financial gifts. These contributions enable our in-kind donors to invest in the future of our students by offering what they do best, fostering a rich, supportive environment for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
One outstanding example of this generosity is Weidner Apartment Homes, which entered the Wisconsin market about five years ago. Through their community initiative, Weidner Cares!, they host annual one-day service events across the U.S. and Canada. These events unite teams of skilled professionals and office staff to make a tangible difference in local communities. Kevin Albrecht, Regional Director for Wisconsin, explains, “In the property management industry, we’re fortunate to have a mix of organized, goal-oriented office associates and skilled tradespeople who lead our maintenance teams. This combination allows us to make a large, long-lasting impact in a short amount of time.”
On September 19, 73 volunteers in bright yellow shirts arrived on campus for their second annual Weidner Cares! event at Shepherds College. The first event, held in 2023, resulted in approximately $28,000 worth of product donations and volunteer time. Projects included revitalizing the student pavilion, building raised garden beds for the Horticulture program, repainting various areas, and enhancing campus landscaping.
Although Weidner typically partners with different nonprofits each year, returning to Shepherds College was a unanimous decision. “Weidner is a people-focused company,” says Albrecht. “We prioritize taking care of the people who live in our communities and our internal teams. While working with the staff and students at Shepherds last year, we could tell the campus was full of great people. Finding an organization filled with genuinely good people made our team excited to return this year.”
As in the previous year, the Weidner team collaborated with Shepherds to identify high-impact projects that could be completed in a single day. The goal was to choose tasks that would most significantly enhance student life. “We try to make the biggest impact we possibly can in eight hours,” Albrecht added.
In 2024, the key projects completed were valued at around $35,000 of product donation and volunteer time and included:
- Renovating the student lounge with new paint, light fixtures, window blinds, and a sink.
- Updating the student fitness center with new exercise equipment (including a bike and treadmill), a television, fresh paint, and motivational wall decals.
- Refreshing the campus store with new paint and a personalized stencil for the store name.
- Replacing the flooring in the staff breakroom.
- Enhancing first-impression spaces and upgrading various campus bathrooms.
In addition to these major projects, volunteers tackled numerous other tasks such as power washing buildings, repainting, cleaning, landscaping, removing garbage, repairing sheds, and replacing signage across campus. Each improvement helps create a more vibrant and welcoming environment for our students.
Shepherds Foundation President Brian Canright expressed his gratitude, stating, “Some of these projects are priorities that we simply don’t have the funds to address right now. The work Weidner is doing helps us create a better experience for our students, communicating their value and dignity.”
Throughout the day, volunteers not only worked hard but also took time to connect with students and staff. Everyone gathered in the gym for a hearty lunch, sharing a meal of chicken piccata or demi-braised beef, which helped build stronger relationships within the community.
Reflecting on the experience, Albrecht shared, “Our team walked away from the 2024 Weidner Cares! event with warm hearts. We sincerely enjoyed our time with Shepherds staff and students, and we’re grateful for the friendship we’ve built. We felt the appreciation from your students and staff for the work we completed, and we hope to return again soon!”
Weidner Cares! goes beyond a single day of volunteering—it exemplifies how in-kind support can transform a community and make a lasting difference. Through their partnership with Shepherds College, Weidner continues to demonstrate the power of giving, not just financially, but through time, effort, and expertise. Their hands-on approach has led to tangible improvements that enrich the lives of our students and the entire Shepherds community.
If your company would like to donate goods or services to benefit our students, please contact Alicia at afranz@shepherdscollege.edu.
Published in Volume 7, Issue 3 of SOAR Magazine.