VARC, Inc.

Thank you to the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce for honoring VARC with a Legacy Award on Monday night. Our leadership team was present along with President | CEO of VARC Elizabeth Filter to accept this honor on behalf of the organization. This March is a significant milestone for us... VARC turns 50 years old! As we reflect on our growth, we are realizing just how much we have to be proud of and grateful for. VARC humbly started in 1975, serving six clients with disabilities in a church basement in Viroqua, Wisconsin—today, VARC serves over 1,000 individuals across Wisconsin, with operations spanning 13 total locations. Additionally, we want to honor our first leaders, Tony Ugo and Dawn Simonson, and remember them as we look back on our early days. As we step into our 50th year, Tony's formative vision and Dawn's compassionate legacy are still deeply felt, and will continue to reverberate throughout the organization going forward. This Legacy Award was the best possible way for us to kick off our golden anniversary celebrations, and we are so humbled by the Chamber's support. As Past President of the Board, our fearless leader Liz addressed the evening's 650 chamber guests, remarking on a successful last year for the La Crosse-area business community and expressing excitement for the momentum ahead. The future looks bright for our community, and it's a privilege to face what's ahead together with our fellows from the La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce.

We were thrilled to host Chancellor James Beeby and Director of Community Engagement Lisa Klein from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse for a visit at our La Crosse Division today. ???? From discussing the powerful state of our local university to designing collaborative opportunities between UW–L and VARC, it was a meaningful, valuable, and groundbreaking conversation. ?? Chancellor Beeby and Lisa had the opportunity to tour with Elizabeth Filter (President | CEO of VARC), learn about VARC's inclusive community programming, and even meet some UW–L alumni who work at VARC! ?? Thanks for stopping by—we look forward to working closer together in the future. ??????

We are over the moon about VARC’s win yesterday at the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC)’s Manufacturer of the Year Awards ceremony. ???? We were one of nine phenomenal companies honored last night, with VARC winning in the Empowerment Through Inclusion category. Elizabeth Filter (President | CEO of VARC) accepted the award on behalf of our organization, saying, “I share this recognition with our general managers and directors who are fueling our operations all across the state, and especially the hundreds of employees with and without disabilities working in our seven locations in Wisconsin. We’re here because of all of you.” ???? The WMC states that ‘Business is a force for good’ and VARC is committed to taking that sentiment one step further. As we enter our 50th year, this award puts a cherry on top of our mission to improve the quality of life of those with disabilities. We are proud of our half a century of creating employment opportunities for individuals with diverse abilities, and we will continue to trailblaze ahead with our inclusive model of operation that prioritizes quality, innovative solutions, satisfied partnerships, and a positive community conscience. ???? Thank you to the WMC for recognizing VARC as Manufacturer of the Year for 2025, and congratulations to the other excellent organizations alongside us who also continue to strive for excellence for the betterment of Wisconsin. ??????

Online voting has started for?Best of La Crosse?and VARC is on the ballot in three categories! We're asking if you can help us out and vote online for VARC before Feb. 28. ??Under the?‘Community’?category, scroll down to “Charity Event / Fundraiser (Non-Festival)” vote for?VARC New Year's Eve Gala. ??Under the ‘Services’?category, scroll down to “Daycare/Childcare” vote for?Preschool Childcare Center. ??Under the ‘Services’?category, scroll down to “Employment Agency” vote for?VARC, Inc. Continue and complete registration as instructed. https://lnkd.in/eeDuxD-5

VARC is honored to be named a finalist for the 36th Annual Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year awards. VARC operates a comprehensive subcontract manufacturing operation through 7 site facilities in Wisconsin, spanning from La Crosse to Racine. Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) https://lnkd.in/eFGGgG7z

Our NYE Gala went off without a hitch—and was our most successful New Year's Eve fundraising event to date. ?? Our community raised over $68,500 for VARC's clients enrolled in disability services, which was amassed through sponsorships, ticket sales, a live auction, and a special Golden Opportunity crowdfunding segment that concentrated on a separate goal to purchase a new ADA-compliant bus for the explicit daily usage of VARC's clients with varying abilities. ?? VARC was able to recognize Emplify Health with the first-ever Inclusive Partner Award for their innovative support of inclusive childcare centers like the Preschool Childcare Center, helping working families in the La Crosse area by providing wider access to this pivotal service. ?? ?? We were honored to have Nathan Franklin (Vice President, External Affairs & Sustainability at Emplify) accept this award, and give further remarks on Emplify's commitment to advocate, educate, and collaborate on childcare catering to children with and without disabilities in the La Crosse community and statewide. ?? This evening was a blast for us, from the champagne, to the private fireworks over the river, to DJ Four7's beats on the dance floor, to Yve Rojas CAI, BAS, SAG-AFTRA's lively and stunning performance hosting our live auction—we even bore witness to a lovely couple getting engaged on our dance floor! ?? ?? We want to thank our attendees, our auction winners, and most importantly our sponsors for making this evening happen for us—their support was the bedrock on which our event's success rested, and we would like to recognize them again here: ?? Gold Sponsors ?? Ledegar Roofing Company Merchants Bank NA The Weber Group ?? Silver Sponsors ?? Alerus formerly Home Federal WBN Event Group Organic Valley ?? Bronze Sponsors ?? Mayo Clinic Health System The Marcus Corporation Altra Federal Credit Union The Insurance Center Kwik Trip ? Event Sponsors ? Dahl Ford Z93's ZCare Wipfli

We are proud to recognize this esteemed group of sponsors for the 3rd Annual VARC New Year's Eve Gala. ??? VARC deeply honors and appreciates these organizations for their commitment to our mission of supporting adults and children with disabilities, as their backing is the foundation on which this event rests. ?? Thank you to these sponsors: ?? Gold Sponsors ?? Ledegar Roofing Company Merchants Bank NA The Weber Group ?? Silver Sponsors ?? Alerus formerly Home Federal WBN Event Group Organic Valley ?? Bronze Sponsors ?? Mayo Clinic Health System The Marcus Corporation Altra Federal Credit Union The Insurance Center ?? Event Sponsors ?? Dahl Ford of Onalaska Z93's ZCare Wipfli - ? - - ? - - ? - - ? - - ? - - ? - - ? - - ? - - ? - ?? GET YOUR TICKETS:? $150 / each Couple's Ticket — $300 (2 tickets) Full Table — $1,500 (10 tickets) https://lnkd.in/g4GkKsem ?? FOLLOW OUR EVENT UPDATES: https://lnkd.in/g9DRVV3j ?? LEARN MORE: https://lnkd.in/g4GkKsem

Ring in the New Year in style at the?3rd Annual VARC New Year's Eve Gala?on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, at The Waterfront, Cargill Room.?Enjoy an evening of champagne, dancing, dinner from The Waterfront, auctions, specialty cocktails, a private fireworks display, and so much more! https://lnkd.in/g4GkKsem Proceeds generated during this evening will support the important work VARC does serving over 1,000?children & adults with disabilities and other life barriers in nine Wisconsin counties. ? - ? - ? - ? - ? - ? GET YOUR TICKETS: https://lnkd.in/g4GkKsem SPONSOR US: Business Sponsorships https://onecau.se/varcgala

This impressive group of professionals is VARC's Production Supervisors and Managers, a supervisory team that leads our production work floors in creative, safe, efficient, and effective work environments for clients and staff. ?? ?? ?? Recently they met from our divisions around the state to engage in discussion, training, and collaboration on our operations, discussing the impact of these programs on the clients and the organization, highlighting the success of the production department in providing work training opportunities for nearly 300 clients annually.??? ?? Learn below how your business can benefit from VARC's comprehensive production services while contributing to this great training program: ?? https://lnkd.in/g9i8dSYm

On October 25, we walked for a cure at the Second Annual VARC Breast Cancer Awareness Walk in Mauston, and happily raised $1,540 benefiting the MILE BLUFF MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION INC. ???? We enjoyed the beautiful weather, camaraderie with fellow walkers, and a great sense of community support for our contribution to ending breast cancer for good. ?? Thank you to everyone who sponsored us—we couldn't have done it without you! ?? ?? ??