Fundraising Letter
June 3, 2025
Dear Chapter Members and Friends of the United Nations Association of Greater Milwaukee,
The world has entered a perilous period where it needs the United Nations, international institutions, and United States foreign aid more than ever. Yet the current U.S. administration has frozen foreign aid, cut funding for the UN, and withdrawn U.S. membership in UN agencies such as the World Health Organization. And it could get worse.
The United Nations Association of Greater Milwaukee and our national organization, the UNA-USA, are calling upon members and supporters to contact their legislators urging Congress to resume the funding.
See the information at the end of this email for how to contact your legislators.
The UNA-USA is the primary grassroots advocate defending the existence of the UN and informing the U.S. public about the work of the UN in providing humanitarian aid and seeking peaceful solutions to global conflicts. Of course, this work requires resources.
Here in Milwaukee, our monthly programs inform the public and motivate support for the vital work of the UN. We partner with local organizations whose activities reflect the global goals of the UN in our community. We make connections on issues such as peace, education, climate change, gender equality, immigration, democratic rights, and opposition to violence in all its forms. We regularly inform our members and friends about the vital issues regarding the UN. We do all this as a volunteer organization, but we do have expenses.
One of our chapter’s major initiatives is the United Nations Schools of International Learning project in partnership with Milwaukee Public Schools. Over 2000 students participate in the UNSIL “World Fair” at the Baird Center each spring.
The United Nations Association of Greater Milwaukee needs your financial support to continue this presence and programming.
We are asking you to make a tax-deductible contribution to the UNA-GM.
Please do so electronically via our website by clicking on this link.
https://www.unamilwaukee.org/support or
Mail a check made out to “UNA of Greater Milwaukee” to:
United Nations Association of Greater Milwaukee
PO Box 511638
Milwaukee, WI 53203
The UNA-USA uniquely blends the unwavering passion of a grassroots movement with the robust resources of a membership association. Help us build a better world through the power of the UN.
Thanks for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Steve Watrous
UNA-GM Chapter President
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UNA of Greater Milwaukee Board of Directors:
Steve Watrous: President
Martha Collins: Vice President
Annette Robertson: Secretary & Education Committee
Michael Zeidler: Treasurer
Jack Murtaugh: Program Committee
Pam Richard: End the Wars Committee
Jerry Rousseau: Community Communications
Gary Shellman: Past President
Art Heitzer: Member
Brandon Holmes: Member
Montre Moore: Member
Carole Poth: Member
George Stone: Member
_______________________________________________
How you can take action now to support the work of the United Nations!
Tell our government: Lead, Don’t Leave!
Click on the following link to send an electronic letter to your legislators about the issues below.
https://unausa.org/2025action/
To call your legislators, start with the Capitol switchboard: 202.224.3121.
Fully Fund the United Nations
The UN serves as a global 911 for the world’s most vulnerable, providing critical support such as food, shelter, medical care, and education to those trapped in deadly conflicts or reeling from natural disasters. The UN and its humanitarian partners delivered lifesaving assistance to 128 million people last year.
Un-freeze Foreign Assistance
On Jan. 20, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order pausing U.S. foreign development assistance to foreign countries, NGOs, international organizations, and contractors. A multitude of programs and millions of people are caught in the crosshairs.
Support the World Health Organization
The World Health Organization (WHO) analyzes 100,000 health threats every month that have the potential to become outbreaks. In 2023 alone, the UN purchased $812 million in medicines and other health products from the U.S.
America’s partnership with WHO keeps us safe, healthy, and prosperous by stopping diseases and tackling health emergencies worldwide.
But We Can’t Do It Alone
The UN is working to build a brighter future by confronting the planet’s most complex challenges – but the UN can’t do this alone.
For more information about the United Nations Association of Greater Milwaukee website, click on the following link to the UNA-GM website.
For the big picture, check out the website of the UNA-USA’s sister organization – the Better World Campaign:
https://betterworldcampaign.org/2025-un-explained
And join us today in advocating that the U.S. support the UN’s global leadership!
For more information, contact Annette Robertson at:
annettejoanrobertson@gmail.com (email) or 414.332.3303 (phone)
