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Wangerin adds soul to annual YWCA event

Photo

Photo by Bill Olmsted

Jon Wangerin

JANESVILLE — Shoes brought Jon Wangerin to Janesville in 1995.

While he no longer sells them, Wangerin continues to fill them in an annual effort to help local women and children victimized by domestic violence.

For the last two years, Wangerin has chaired the YWCA of Rock County's "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes" event, which challenges men to collect pledges and walk one mile wearing women's shoes.

The event started in 2007 as an effort to raise awareness of domestic violence. Along the way, participant Paul Benish did his own fundraising and raised the majority of the $1,000 or so collected that year.

While Benish was highly supportive of the event and its potential as a fundraiser, his plate was overflowing, and he couldn't organize the event in 2008.

"Jon said he'd chair it, and that simple act was one of the greatest gives the YWCA ever received," said Allison Hokinson, the YW's community relations director.

Eighty-two walkers raised $35,000 in 2008, while 120 participants collected nearly $40,000 in the down economy of 2009.

"He not only rallies people to participate, but he rallies people to understand and embrace why they're doing it," Hokinson said of Wangerin, who has been known to appear before the city council in heels in search of support for the event.

"Whatever he's involved in, Jon really gets the mission," added Jennie Krajeck, development coordinator for KANDU Industries, where Wangerin has been a big supporter of the organization's annual golf and wine tasting events. "He understands us and can convey to people why they should support us.

"A lot of people get involved because their boss asked them to get involved or they'll get their name on a poster or something. Not Jon; he's involved because he wants to and is just a huge asset to the community."

When Wangerin came to Janesville, the 21-year-old was managing Trade Home Shoes in the Janesville Mall.

Today, he's a vice president and preferred banker at M&I Bank, married and the father of three kids.

"I really didn't know all that much about the YWCA," Wangerin said. "But I've really bought into the great services they provide. They help people when no other help is available."

Wangerin's wife Kristin and children Emily, Ethan and Leah are his motivators.

"I love helping people, and I love it that my kids can help," he said. "My son walks with me in the event, and my daughter has sold roses for Lions.

"The kids see that I enjoy helping people, and it rubs off."

The kids see plenty of other community involvement, as Wangerin is on the boards of the Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and HealthNet and is a past president of the Janesville Noon Lions and Forward Janesville's Leadership Development Academy. He's also served the city's zoning board and the riverfront park committee and has chaired the financial division of the local United Way's fundraising efforts.

"By getting involved, I've made a lot of really good, lifelong friends," he said. "My family has, too.

"We've gotten a lot more out of it than we've put in."