HARTFORD — Menasha Corporation celebrated a milestone that the state itself celebrated just last year, as it turned 175, making it the third oldest company in Wisconsin.
“It’s a really cool thing, 175 years,” said Senior Operations Director Steven Waite. “… The State of Wisconsin, 1848, Menasha, 1849, so Menasha has been around for basically the entire time of the State of Wisconsin, which is pretty cool.”
According to Waite, what has allowed Menasha Corporation to stay in business throughout all these years has been the values that were instilled in the company by its founder Elisha Smith.
“He was really focused on our people and our communities,” said Waite. “If you read abut what Elisha did, he was someone who really cared abut the people that worked for the organization. He also was somebody who was a philanthropist within the community.
“He would anonymously give to organizations, he would give to people, he would give to people that were down on their luck. He really viewed Menasha as a part of the community that they operated within.”
While many things deteriorate with advanced age, the Menasha Corporation certainly has not, as it was recognized as a Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year this year.
“It’s a super-high honor for a company like Menasha to be recognized with something like that,” said Waite.
To celebrate turning 175, and in the spirit of the company’s philanthropic values, the Menasha Corporation Foundation has awarded an additional $3.7 million of incremental grant money on top of the normal amount they give out every year.
However, that wasn’t the only philanthropy performed by Menasha Corporation in celebration of turning 175, as it is holding its own 175 Acts of Kindness program this year.
“We’re asking our people to go out into the community and document — film, take pictures — of 175 acts of kindness,” said Waite. “It can be small or big. [It’s about] giving back to our community, because our community has given us so much.”
Additionally, Menasha Corporation held a fundraiser for Friends, Inc. that included a dunk tank and corn hole, in conjunction with its Wednesday celebration.
In addition to raising funds, on Wednesday, Menasha Corporation also made an additional $5,000 donation to Friends, Inc., the sole provider of shelter and support services for individuals affected by domestic violence and sexual assault in Washington County.
“First off I just wanted to say thank you again for considering us for this fundraiser, and then two, all the contributions that came from it,” said Friends, Inc. Interim Executive Director Jesikah Becker. “Everything is going to go straight back to individuals that are in desperate need.”